MEET THE LUNSFORD SCHOLARS
Lunsford Scholars Alumni:
JC Berry (B.A. '24 Foreign Language and International Economics, focusing on Arabic and Islamic Studies) | |
Constance Bledsoe (B.S. '23 Neuroscience, B.S. '23 Psychology, Cum Laude) used the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct undergraduate research in the Whitehurst Neuroscience Sleep Research Lab in the Department of Psychology. | |
Aaliyah Boller (B.A. '22 Political Science, Magna Cum Laude) used the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct undergraduate research with Dr. Clayton Thyne in the Department of Political Science. Aaliyah serves as a congressional aide for Congressman Morgan McGarvey and is pursuing an MBA at the Gatton College of Business and Economics. | |
Jake Coffman (B.S. '22 Biology, Summa Cum Laude) used the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Belize, where he researched jaguars, pumas, tapirs, and native bird populations. Additionally, he conducted undergraduate research in the Famulski Zebrafish Retinal Development Lab in the Department of Biology. | |
Crystal Ferrell (B.S. '22 Pharmacy and B.S. '22 Health, Society, and Populations) is a first-generation college graduate pursuing a doctorate of pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to complete a pharmacy internship at Meijer. | |
Bailee Gibbs (B.A. '23 History, B.A. '23 International Studies, Summa Cum Laude) is attending the University of Louisville Law School and considering a career in global politics, human rights, diplomacy, or climate change advocacy. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Paris and participate in the WilDCats at the Capitol Program, where she interned in the office of John Yarmuth, former representative for Kentucky's third district, and served as chairman of the House Budget Committee before his retirement. | |
Nicole Hensley (B.S. '23 Biology, Summa Cum Laude) is attending the UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine, where she is pursuing a doctorate in veterinary medicine to become an equine veterinarian. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend the Adelante Program in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she completed a veterinary internship. | |
Miri Ifraimov (B.A. '24 Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, social science research certificate) used the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct undergraduate research in the Zentall Comparative Cognition Lab in the Department of Psychology. She plans on attending medical school to become a physician. | |
Cassie Johnson (B.A. '22 Psychology, B.A. '22 U.S. Culture and Business Practices, Summa Cum Laude) is a first-generation college graduate. Cassie used the Lunsford Scholarship to intern at the Kentucky Counseling Center. She aims to lead an environmental program at a nonprofit or government agency, creating opportunities for all Ohioans to connect with nature. | |
Paige Johnston (B.A. '22 English) used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend the College of Global Studies at Arcadia University in Dublin, Ireland, where she studied Dublin’s literary history. She is pursuing a publishing career and will eventually write novels. | |
Sandy Niño (B.A. '24 Psychology, Magna Cum Laude) is a first-generation college graduate. She served as a first-generation peer advisor and worked as a research assistant in the Sport Social Work Research Lab at the College of Social Work. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct undergraduate research in the Hammer Lab and to fund a trip to London. Sandy is pursuing a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology at Elmhurst University. | |
Linda Omali (B.S. ’23 Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude) is a first-generation college graduate. Linda used the Lunsford Scholarship to complete a biomedical and biological science research project in the Whiteheart Lab at the College of Medicine. Linda is an implementation consultant at Fast Enterprises. | |
Emma Pittard (B.A. '22 Spanish) used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend a semester-long Spanish immersion program at the Universidad de Granada in Granada, Spain. | |
Libby Ratliff (B.A. ’22 Chemistry, Summa Cum Laude) is a medical assistant at Indiana Vein Specialist. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to gain lab and research experience at the Indiana University School of Medicine. | |
Laurel Riggs (B.A. '24 Political Science, B.A. '24 Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, Magna Cum Laude) was an A&S student ambassador, served on the Student Government Executive Board, and was a Chi Omega member. She is now pursuing a law degree at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to intern at Dow Chemical's Government Affairs Team in Washington, D.C. | |
JD Schumacher (B.A. '22 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude) is a J. David Rosenberg College of Law student. He used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend the WilDCats at the Capitol program, where he interned in Senator Mitch McConnell’s office. | |
Zach Siegel (B.A. '24 Psychology, Summa Cum Laude) was a research assistant for the Badour Stress, Trauma, and Recovery Research Collaborative at the UK Clinic for Emotional Health. He used the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct undergraduate research and to study abroad in Sorrento, Italy. Before starting his doctorate, Zach will be conducting research at the National Center for PTSD in Boston. | |
Preiss Terry (B.A. ’23 Political Science) is enrolled in UK BLUE, where students earn bachelor's and J.D. degrees in six years. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to participate in the WilDCats at the Capitol program, where she interned in Senator Mitch McConnell’s office. She plans to become a victims' rights attorney. | |
Tristen Turpin (B.A. '22 Psychology) is a first-generation college graduate and an Air Force veteran. He earned a master’s in social work from the College of Social Work and currently works as a social worker for the state of Kentucky. He used the Lunsford Scholarship to complete a first responders’ course and a phlebotomy research internship. |
Current Students:
Hannah Allen is a biology major with a chemistry minor and is on the pre-med track. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to travel to Cusco, Peru, with International Medical Relief. Hannah worked in clinics in underserved areas, shadowing physicians, performing medical tests, and providing general health education to the community. | |
Michaiah Andresen is a first-generation college student majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track. He plans to use the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad and explore healthcare systems outside the United States. Michaiah is a Phi Delta Epsilon, a medical fraternity, and a NeuroCATS member. | |
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Sammy Arnold is a psychology major with a neuroscience minor on the pre-med track. She plans to become a physician and treat children with neurological disabilities. She is using the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct research in the Kim Developing Minds Lab in the Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on self-efficacy and implicit theories of ability among college students and their advisors. |
Rose Barczak is a first-generation college student majoring in psychology on the pre-law track. She was a research assistant for the Badour Stress, Trauma, and Recovery Research Collaborative at the UK Clinic for Emotional Health. She plans to use the Lunsford Scholarship for further research or to study abroad, and she intends to pursue a master’s in psychology after graduation. | |
Lilly Bauer is a biology major who plans to become a professor or researcher. She has worked in the D’Orazio Lab in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, where she studied host-pathogen interactions. Lilly interned at the NIH, and the Lunsford Scholarship helped fund this significant opportunity over the summer. | |
Bridan Braun is on the pre-law track, pursuing dual degrees in English and history. She is a researcher for the Documenting Racial Violence in Kentucky Project and the director of inventory for the Wildcat Wardrobe. Her goal is to attend law school, and she plans to use the Lunsford Scholarship to intern in Washington, D.C. | |
Alayna Bunch is working on dual degrees in English and writing, rhetoric, and digital studies, with a minor in professional and technical writing. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree to become a technical writer in the recruiting industry. Alayna intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship to intern for Rowland Mountain Recruiting in the spring. | |
Ashley Dalrymple is majoring in political science and communication. She participates in campus and community organizations and intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Florence, Italy. After graduation, she plans to work in government and serve the state of Kentucky. | |
Nikki Dharanipragada is a first-generation college student majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track. She is a research assistant in the Graf-Helsley Lab, studying the components of metabolic disorders. Nikki will be traveling to Lisbon, Portugal, to learn about substance use disorders from a cultural standpoint, and the Lunsford Scholarship will assist her with this opportunity. | |
Macy Fields is majoring in political science on the pre-law track with a minor in English. She plans to attend law school and practice family law. She intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship to intern at a law firm or with a state representative. Macy also volunteers at the Hope Center and supports various charitable organizations. | |
Skylar Hansil is a first-generation college student majoring in anthropology with minors in international studies and world religions. She interns at the 2nd Story Art Exhibition in Lexington and serves as the secretary of the Undergraduate Anthropology Club. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in applied anthropology and work in museum curation or repatriation. She intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad. | |
Jermaine Harris is a first-generation college student and a UK cheerleader. He is majoring in health, society, and populations, and plans to attend the College of Nursing. His goal is to become an obstetrics-gynecology registered nurse. He is exploring the best way to use the Lunsford Scholarship to support his academic and career goals. | |
Hal Holbrook is a biology major on the pre-med track. He enjoys playing basketball in his free time and is exploring the best way to use the Lunsford Scholarship to support his academic and career goals. | |
Rachel Hwang is a triple major in psychology, sociology, and philosophy with a minor in criminology. She has participated in prestigious research opportunities, including the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates at Vanderbilt University and the Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Program at the University of Alberta. She researches gender and race-based discrimination with Dr. Angel Armenta (Department of Psychology) and Dr. Natalie Nenadic (Department of Philosophy). Rachel used the Lunsford Scholarship to study sociology at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. After graduation, she plans to continue researching systemic discrimination. | |
Allie Kidwell is a first-generation college student majoring in neuroscience on the pre-med track. During the pandemic, she worked as a swabbing specialist for Wild Health. Allie used the Lunsford Scholarship to participate in a Global Brigades Medical Services trip to Honduras. | |
Addison Kolzow is working on dual degrees in biology and neuroscience on the pre-med track, minoring in classics, and is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Addison aims to become a pediatric psychiatrist and work with Doctors Without Borders or a similar NGO. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend the UK Summer Medical Observership Program to gain firsthand experience by shadowing physicians in the Lexington area. | |
Cierra Ledford is majoring in anthropology on the pre-law track. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and practice immigration law. Cierra will use the Lunsford Scholarship to study at the Kentucky Institute for International Studies in Krakow, Poland. | |
Sam LeRose is majoring in physics and serves as president of the Society of Physics Students. He plans to pursue a doctorate in nuclear physics, work in the clean energy field, focus on applied research, and join the American Nuclear Society. Sam used part of the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct research with Dr. Christopher Crawford in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and to take summer courses. | |
Ashlee Marksbury is majoring in chemistry and plans to attend medical school and become an internist. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to join the Diabetes and Obesity Summer Research Fellowship Program, where she studied diabetes in the Fisher Lab in the Department of Internal Medicine. | |
Clemence Nyiramugisha is a first-generation college student majoring in health, society, and populations, and minoring in psychology. She used part of the Lunsford Scholarship to attend the Unum Academy over the summer. The program develops leadership skills and addresses inequitable healthcare policies. Clemence intends to pursue a master’s in healthcare administration, and the program will give her expertise in equity work. | |
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Camila Pimentel is majoring in international studies and political science. She plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in global development and international relations in Latin America. Camila used the Lunsford Scholarship to participate in the Semester at Sea Program, which took her to 11 countries in three continents. |
Joshua Plain is majoring in math and finance. He has a strong interest in international relations and plans to work in government or foreign diplomacy after graduation. He used the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Rome, an experience that reshaped his understanding of international markets and will benefit him in his internship as an investment analyst. | |
Catherine Renteria is a first-generation college student, majoring in psychology, who aims to promote children’s mental, social, emotional, and academic development. She plans to attend graduate school to become a school psychologist. Catherine is eager to start her undergraduate research in the Leger Emotion, Stress, and Health Lab, studying emotional responses to stress and their effects on health. She will use the Lunsford Scholarship for a study abroad experience through the Department of Psychology. | |
Jagger Rice is working on dual degrees in psychology and writing, rhetoric, and digital studies, a certificate in social science research, and is on the pre-law track. He is a research assistant in the Forensic Psychology Lab and the director of fundraising for the Student Philanthropy Board. He used part of the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Paris and will use the rest to intern with the federal government through the WilDCats at the Capitol program. | |
Jayden Sheridan is a first-generation college student and is a political science major on the pre-law track. After graduation, she plans to complete a doctorate in political science. She will use the Lunsford Scholarship to conduct research for her peace studies capstone project. | |
Eduardo Soria Chiroque is majoring in biology on the pre-med track. He is researching health inequalities affecting Latinx patients with diabetes through the Student Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky Program. Additionally, he serves as a lab assistant in the Moseley Bioinformatics Lab and participates in the Lewis Honors College Rising Leaders program. Eduardo plans to become a bioinformatics physician-scientist and intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship for an internship at the NIH. | |
Jaesylin Stephens is a biology major with a minor in microbiology. She is passionate about undergraduate research and intends to pursue a Ph.D. in genetics. Jaesylin plans to use the Lunsford Scholarship for research opportunities abroad. | |
Anna Stockstill is on the pre-law track, majoring in political science and environmental and sustainability studies, minoring in geography and Chinese, and working on a Peace Studies certificate. She is also an active member of the Policy Debate Team. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend a language instruction and cultural immersion program over the summer at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, where she studied Mandarin Chinese. | |
Nora Sypkens is a chemistry major and an active member of the Pre-Pharmacy Club. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Alongside her studies, Nora is a resident advisor, an Omicron Delta Kappa Society member, the programming chair for the It’s On Us chapter, and a Women’s Volleyball Club minor. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to attend the DIS program, Health and Gender Inequalities: Past, Present, and Future, over the summer in Copenhagen. | |
Emma Thyne is a political science major with a minor in Spanish. She is also president of the UK chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honors Society. Emma used the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Granada, Spain, and to intern with the federal government, both over the summer. | |
Madison Tyner is a first-generation student majoring in political science on the pre-law track, with plans to potentially add Spanish as a second major. She aims to attend law school to become a prosecutor and will use the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Mexico. | |
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Allison Viney is majoring in political science, minoring in psychology, and enrolled in the UK BLUE Program. She used the Lunsford Scholarship to study abroad in Rome, Italy, and to intern with the Clark and Madison County district courts, both over the summer. |
Ally Walton is a history major on the pre-law track. She is involved with the Women’s Lacrosse Club and is an assistant coach for the Lexington Christian Academy girls' lacrosse team. Ally is exploring the best way to use the Lunsford Scholarship to support her academic goals. | |
Azaleah Warren is a first-generation college student majoring in neuroscience on the pre-dentistry track. She plans to attend dental school to become an orthodontist. She is eager to conduct research with faculty to advance her career, and the Lunsford Scholarship will help support this opportunity. | |
Emma Wiley is an English major. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in library sciences. She intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship to intern at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. | |
Grace Yi is a history and sociology major on the pre-law track. She plans to attend law school to become a public defender. She intends to use the Lunsford Scholarship to intern in New York City at the Museum of Chinese in America. |