{"id":15126,"date":"2022-10-27T09:55:18","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T13:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/?p=15126"},"modified":"2022-10-27T10:45:52","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T14:45:52","slug":"marymount-receives-1-46-million-nsf-grant-to-empower-stem-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marymount.edu\/blog\/marymount-receives-1-46-million-nsf-grant-to-empower-stem-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Marymount receives $1.46 million NSF grant to empower STEM students"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Amidst an ever-increasing need to meet the high-technology needs of today\u2019s American workforce, faculty leaders at Marymount University are launching a new need-based scholarship program that will help students in STEM majors persist in their studies and pursue essential and fulfilling careers.<\/p>\n

The STEM Citizen Science Scholars Program, which officially began this month, is designed for Marymount undergraduate students who are majoring in Biochemistry<\/a>, Biology<\/a>, Biomedical Engineering<\/a>, Computer Science<\/a>, Information Technology<\/a>, Mathematics<\/a> or Mechanical Engineering<\/a>. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic potential in their chosen field, and are then eligible for scholarship awards of up to $10,000 per year over a four-year period based on financial need.<\/p>\n

The program expects to support about 22 scholars, and is made possible through a National Science Foundation (NSF)<\/a> S-STEM Track 2 award of $1.46 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the United States to remain not only a world economic leader but competitive on a global scale, our college graduates must be prepared for the demands of a highly-skilled, 21st<\/sup> century workforce,\u201d explained Dr. Irma Becerra<\/a>, President of Marymount University. \u201cThe President\u2019s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has illustrated the need for about one million more STEM professionals than the U.S. is currently producing over the next decade if we are to retain our historical preeminence in science and technology. So establishing an initiative like the STEM Citizen Science Scholars Program is of the utmost importance not just for our students at Marymount but for the nation at large.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Amanda Wright<\/a>, Professor of Biochemistry at Marymount University, is serving as the principal investigator (PI) of the STEM Citizen Science Scholars Program, and is joined by four fellow Marymount faculty members who are co-PI\u2019s \u2013 Dr. Susan Agolini<\/a>, Associate Professor of Biology; Dr. Eric Bubar<\/a>, Associate Professor of Engineering; Dr. Deana Jaber<\/a>, Associate Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Diane Murphy<\/a>, Director of the School of Technology and Innovation<\/a>. They will be collaborating with academic programs and offices across campus to support the program\u2019s scholars while also striving to boost retention and graduation rate efforts. Additionally, they will be studying citizen science \u2013 or community-based scientific research \u2013 and its effects on students\u2019 STEM skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis NSF award is going to make a significant and positive difference on the lives of scholars in Marymount\u2019s STEM Citizen Science Scholars Program,\u201d Dr. Wright said. \u201cWith the right tools, they will learn how to think more creatively, critically analyze data and effectively work in a team \u2013 all important skills to have in the workforce of tomorrow. And at the conclusion of their academic journey, we aim to place 100 percent of our scholars in STEM jobs or graduate programs within just one year of graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marymount students interesting in applying for the program can look forward to the following highlights:<\/p>\n