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Oscar Avatare
Finance & Data Science
Oscar Avatare LinkedIn
Finance & Data Science
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Studying abroad through the Honors Program in Rome
My Website oavatare@hotmail.comDuring my time at UW, I was able to study abroad, go to incredible conferences, intern at amazing companies, and grow more than I thought possible. I am excited and thankful for UW to be the launchpad for me to live the life I want.
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Niki Seligman
Psychology and International Studies
Niki Seligman
Psychology and International Studies
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: I am proud of the people I have gotten to know here, who are kind, silly, grounded, creative, and intentional. I am proud to surround myself with good friends.
I am a graduating senior interested in writing, social work, equity and inclusion, and environmental justice. In my time at the university, I have learned so much in the classroom, through both the Jackson School of International Studies and the Psychology department.
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Kleitia Cerekja
Public Health- Global Health
Kleitia Cerekja
Public Health- Global Health
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Any moment when I stepped outside of my comfort zone, in terms of academic and experiential learning opportunities.
I am deeply committed to the idea that health is a human right, and plan to use the tools that my department and the honors program taught me to inform how I conduct public health work.
During my time at UW, I have been involved in undergraduate research and service learning with local and state organizations. Additionally, I participated in the Honors Netherlands Study Abroad, where I explored innovation in the cultural heritage sector and it's intersection with public health work. On campus, I was an active member of GlobeMed, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to supporting grassroots global health work. I am also involved in the local Albanian-American community here in the Greater Seattle area.
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Sacha Moufarrej
Neuroscience
Sacha Moufarrej LinkedIn
Neuroscience
Music
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Getting the opportunity to gain UW Honors mentors who directly informed my post-grad plans of pursuing a Fulbright scholarship to study health and medicine from an anthropological perspective!
Thesis: Polysomnographic Findings on the Relationship between Sleep and Pain in a Pediatric Chronic Pain Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Hi! I'm Sacha, and I'm a recent graduate of the UW Honors Program. I'm passionate about the study of the brain, the creation of music, and the discovery of personalized ways to contribute to social justice. In the Fall of 2020, I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Medical Anthropology at SOAS University of London, with the long-term career goal of becoming a health care practitioner that utilizes research and community engagement to encourage equity within our national and international health care systems. The UW Honors Program has been a pivotal aspect of my time as an undergrad, and I'm excited to continue learning how to use an interdisciplinary approach to understand and address the various injustices plaguing society.
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Kahana Pietsch
Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Kahana Pietsch
Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Too many to count! While I've accomplished a lot in my classes, research, and personal interests, a lot of my proudest moments have involved introducing others to the passions that are important to me and seeing them get just as excited about them as I am. Whether this is helping someone catch their first fish or take their first backcountry camping trip, I think it's these moments I cherish the most.
kahanp@uw.eduThe last 4 years have been some of the greatest of my life, I've had the privilege to explore and expand my many outdoor hobbies, fishing the lakes and streams of this beautiful state and hiking and climbing my way through its hills all while making new friends and learning new things. I've been incredibly fortunate to get to be a part of multiple research projects in my department and learn through my classes more about my field than I even knew existed when I first started here. I'm continuing my work studying abalone withering syndrome in the labs of Carolyn Friedman for at least the next year and where life will take me after that I don't know but I'm sure looking forward to it! I'm incredibly grateful to all the staff and fellow students without whose support I could never have made it this far.
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Carolyn Brager
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Carolyn Brager LinkedIn
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: The quarter I spent interning abroad, learning the language, and traveling alone
My Website carolynbrager@gmail.comI am leaving college with an eagerness to work on human-centered disease research, a resiliency towards unexpected challenges, and a goal to have a life of intention and variety. My four years at UW were filled with epic days in the mountains, the chance to work in Ecuador and Nepal, the opportunity to contribute to cutting edge biomedical research, and support from incredible friends, mentors, and family. I am excited to lean into challenges and discomfort and make the most out of any path I choose to take.
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Emma S Schnee
International Studies
Emma S Schnee LinkedIn
International Studies
Entrepreneurship
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Really taking advantage of the opportunities in Seattle and the surrounding outdoors!
emma.schnee1@gmail.comI am so thankful for the last four years at UW and the amazing education that I received. Here are a few highlights:
- The Jackson School's task force program where my team created policy recommendations for the Syrian Refugee Crisis and presented to Michael Ratney, a senior US Foreign Service Officer and former US Special Envoy for Syria.
- Creating Altru, a sustainable snack marketing business, as part of the "create a company" Entrepreneurship Capstone.
- UW Club Soccer, Skiing, Hiking, Climbing
- Favorite PNW outdoor adventure: Through Hiking the Enchantments
- Unofficial Minor in Travel: China, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Argentina
- Honors Fun fact: I met most of my best friends at honors orientation!Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
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Maren Anderson
Environmental Science & Terrestrial Resource Management
Maren Anderson
Environmental Science & Terrestrial Resource Management
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Winning an award from the Dept. of Communication for my research in rhetoric and then being selected to present my research at a conference.
My Website maanderson14@gmail.comMy time at UW was the best adventure I've been on so far. I explored the intersections of science, communication, health, humanity, and the environment. I grew immeasurably from my involvement in GlobeMed, TEDxUofW, College of the Environment Ambassadors, being a 5th-grade science fair mentor, and studying abroad in Thailand & Indonesia and in Rome with Honors. Most importantly though, I found friends who love learning and honoring all of what makes life worthwhile and fun. Here's to a lifetime more of seeking out interconnectedness!
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Elizabeth H McKinnie
Computer Science; Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS)
Elizabeth H McKinnie LinkedIn
Computer Science; Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS)
Mathematics; Comparative History of Ideas (CHID)
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: After nearly failing Physics 121, learning to readjust my schedule and my priorities and proceeding to do much better (academically and mental health-wise) in Physics 122 and 123.
My Website elizabeth.mckinnie@outlook.comHi, I'm Elizabeth! I'm double majoring in Computer Science and ACMS (applied math). My focus is machine learning and ethics of technology. Although I'm a double STEM major, I love being a part of the Interdisciplinary Honors program. It was an Honors class (392, Science and Engineering for Social Justice) that sparked in me a desire to learn more about the ethics of technology and work towards creating fair and ethical algorithms. I was also a TA for CSE 142 for five quarters and was a lead TA working on student engagement for two quarters. I studied abroad in Prague during my third year with the CHID program which inspired me to minor in CHID. After I graduate I'll be working at Microsoft as a software engineer!
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Jaclyn Shallat
Microbiology
Jaclyn Shallat
Microbiology
Global Health
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Organizing "Summer Breeze: Cannon House Arts and Crafts Exhibition" as a Jackson Munro Public Service Fellow the summer after my second-year of college.
My Website shallatjaclyn@gmail.comHello! My name is Jaclyn Shallat. I am a senior at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I study Microbiology and Global Health. Coming from a small town in Central Illinois, I've been excited to use my time on the West Coast to explore these two disciplines through research, volunteering, and classroom opportunities. I look forward to using my experiences from the past four years to inform a career in population health.
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Stephen Anthony Chmelewski
Political Science, Spanish
Stephen Anthony Chmelewski
Political Science, Spanish
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Getting into Honors! I was not admitted when I applied as a senior in high school, but I reapplied at the end of my first-year year (after taking an Honors course during each of my first three quarters, despite not being in the program) and got in! Huzzah!
At heart, I'm just a pig-raising Eastern Washington boy who somehow found himself in the bright lights of big-city Seattle.
When I arrived at the ol' U Dubya, I knew deep down that I just wanted to study Political Science and Spanish. It was because of these two deep and abiding interests that I found some of the most formative experiences of my college career. My love for politics took me deep into the halls of power (or at least the front desk of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's office, where you could catch me on Friday afternoons fulfilling intern duties like shredding paper and answering phones). My affinity for the Spanish language took me all the way across the world (three whole flights! each way!) to the seaside Spanish town of Cádiz, where I spent the entirety of my junior year pretending to do homework while actually eating tapas, chatting with my host mom, and going to the beach every day. It was the life.
So what's up next for the Stephenator now that he's likely peaked and his glory days as an undergrad are coming to an end? Great question, and to be completely honest, y'all have as good of an idea as I do! Perhaps a lil' bit of traveling here, a lil' bit of applying to law school there. No one knows. Anyways, go Dawgs!
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Alexander Le
Electrical Engineering, Geography
Alexander Le
Electrical Engineering, Geography
Mathematics, Classical Studies
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Designing and assembling an E-bike motor drive for my EE capstone project entirely at home!
alexcle97@hotmail.comDuring my undergraduate career, I've always taken the idea of a well-rounded education to heart. Through UW and the Honors Program, I've been able to pursue interdisciplinary opportunities ranging from glaciology research to studying abroad in Peru, all while pursuing a double degree and two minors. I am incredibly thankful for these last four years and look forward to what comes next!
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Josh Maxwell Pollock
Computer Science
Josh Maxwell Pollock LinkedIn
Computer Science
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: One of my proudest memories is completing my close reading essay for the Honors class, Seattle: Reading and Writing the City. My practice with research papers and teaching finally gave me the confidence and skill set to overcome my fear of writing.
Thesis: Sidewinder: Designing Correct Program State Visualizations
My Website jopo@mit.eduI believe in the power of computers to augment the way we think, learn, and solve problems. I combine ideas from programming languages and math with techniques from human-centered design to build transformative tools for thought. I'm currently developing tools that help people learn how to program, debug their code, and explain it to others.
Through research and the Honors program I explored different ways people think to challenge my own understanding and broaden my view of the world.
This fall I will be continuing my research as a PhD student in MIT CSAIL's Software Design Group.
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Jacque Li
Computer Science
Jacque Li
Computer Science
Mathematics, Diversity
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Working as a CSE Student Ambassador and unravelling the challenges of diverse and equitable technical education
In moments of pure joy, it's never the memory itself that stay with me, but rather the people in those moments are what always make me smile. As a lifelong student who is always eager to hear more about every story, I say thank you to all my peers and educators at the UW that have helped me find some semblance of direction these past four years!
As I soon enter into the real world, I hope to continue to learn from the people around me, and especially to keep learning about challenges in tech and higher education; but I also hope to find time to tap into my interests in sustainability, music, and exploring the big world around us :)
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Brendon E Davis
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (B.S.); Mathematics (B.A.)
Brendon E Davis LinkedIn
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (B.S.); Mathematics (B.A.)
English: Writing
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Receiving the Mary Gates Research Scholarship. This represented the culmination of my undergraduate research.
My Website brendon.davis120@gmail.comI am a proud UW graduate with a strong interest in biomedical research. Working in the Kaeberlein Lab at UW for most of my college experience was a great way to build a basis of research knowledge. I am also involved in a number of hobbies, including verse writing, programming, and powerlifting. I was excited to graduate with both departmental honors in biology and interdisciplinary honors, many of the courses for which integrated my interests into other academic contexts.
I will be applying to graduate school to continue research and biomedical training.
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Michelle K. Pyke
Business Administration, Marketing
Michelle K. Pyke LinkedIn
Business Administration, Marketing
Political Science
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: The capstone project for the business program is an internal case competition among graduating seniors. My team presented a solution to elevate the Nescafé brand in front of a panel of judges (managers and executives from a variety of corporate entities). At the conclusion of our presentation, I remember feeling incredibly proud of our deliverables and how well each individual performed. My team had the highest rank within our particular capstone section.
With the classic Apple logo painted across its humble avenues, my home in Silicon Valley encouraged me to pursue a fulfilling life with the mind of a scholar. My story wouldn't be complete without international business case competitions and the ageless tradition of drinking tea in the morning.
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Neta Simon
Microbiology
Neta Simon LinkedIn
Microbiology
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Publishing a co-first authored paper
Thesis: Maternal Microchimerism in Malaria-Endemic Settings: The Role of Maternal Microchimerism on The Developing Infant Immune System
I'm very grateful to have spent the last four years studying Microbiology at UW and am leaving with a passion to improve human health through medicine.
Some favorite moments from the past four years include:
- a 22-mile hike through the Enchantments
- studying abroad in Israel and volunteering as an EMT
- every weekend spent with my housemates (fun fact: half of us met at Honors orientation)
- working in a lab researching maternal-fetal interactions of malaria
- establishing the Loaves of Love program with ChabadI am so thankful for the memories I've made with my friends, the mentors I've gained, the time spent outdoors, and every opportunity for growth that the UW has provided me.
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Claire Bacon
International Studies
Claire Bacon LinkedIn
International Studies
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: I'm proudest of the friends I've made and communities I've formed and been a part of during my time in university
My name is Claire, I like long walks on the beach and old Russian novelists...
I studied foreign policy in the Jackson School and am working on proficiency in both Mandarin and French languages. I have been published 4 times during my time in university and have been involved in a number of interesting and engaging communities, programs, and internships both social and academic. After graduation I hope to experience travel, adventure, and enrichment however they manifest.
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Samantha N Fredman
Law, Societies, and Justice
Samantha N Fredman LinkedIn
Law, Societies, and Justice
Disability Studies
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Coming to the full realization that I had developed trusting, close relationships with the faculty that I felt most attached to and inspired by
Thesis: “Hurt People Keep Hurting:” Trauma Informed Care in Young Adult Homelessness Services
My WebsiteI am an aspiring doctor most passionate about equity, justice, and accessibility of essential services. I am most passionate about building a world that deeply understands, or even simply acknowledges, the different challenges people face as a result of dehumanizing systems and structures; a world that intentionally centers relationships and encourages empathetic relations as an act of radical interdependence.
I currently work to promote housing equity through my work in emergency shelters providing basic necessities to unsheltered young adults. I am driven by my relationships with young people and excited about the change we can promote through developing healing centered trauma-informed practices.
Even though the last few paragraphs may have spoken otherwise, I very rarely take myself seriously. I love to sing (and clumsily play guitar, ukelele, or tambourine), to laugh at myself, to engage in general tomfoolery, and to drink consume absurd amounts of pepper chips, coffee, and chocolate.
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Parsa Alba Farhang
Neuroscience
Parsa Alba Farhang
Neuroscience
Applied Math
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Conducting a needs assessment for the Neurological Rehabilitation Department at Kathmandu University Hospital in Dhulikhel Nepal. I completed the project with UW students, UW BIOE faculty, and KU mechanical engineering students/faculty during a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary month of work.
Thesis: Developing Methods to Advance Our Understanding of Cav2.1/beta2-Laminin Binding and its Role in the Formation of Active Zones at the Neuromuscular Synapse (NMS)
pafarhang13@gmail.com***
My name is Parsa Farhang and I'm a second-generation Iranian-American born and raised in Beaverton Oregon. I'm graduating UW with a B.S. in Neuroscience, a minor in Applied Math, and College Honors. I plan on pursuing a gap year as a research technician before going to graduate school to work towards a Ph.D. in the biosciences!These past several years have uncovered so much about myself and how I want to live my life going forward. I've gained a wide array of soft and hard skills that will help me continue to grow in future endeavors as well as work in the interdisciplinary environments that I crave. I've gained a deeper sense of confidence in myself in not only my academics/work, but also beyond. Lastly, through UW I've gained a lifetime of friends and memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life!
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Elaine Katherine Currie
Psychology
Elaine Katherine Currie LinkedIn
Psychology
Education, Learning, & Society
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Being elected as Vice President of Member Development in my sorority.
Thesis: Just Close Your Eyes: What the Brain at Rest Reveals About Memory
Since transferring to the UW mid-sophomore year, Honors has helped me realize a passion for education and advising. I will continue to pursue this passion in the future, as I continue on to grad school for my M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration.
Over my two and a half years at the UW, I have had countless opportunities to enrich my college experience. I have worked on campus at the ArtsUW Ticket Office, held an executive position in my sorority, completed undergraduate research (and an accompanying thesis), and had the incredible opportunity to be an undergraduate TA within my major, and peer educator for the Honors program. Possibly my favorite experience was traveling abroad with Honors to the Netherlands; I made incredible friends and got the chance to explore topics completely unrelated to my major.
I made the best friends and best memories at the UW, and I can't thank my family enough for supporting me throughout it all. I wouldn't be where I am today without my mom, grandma, and grandpa, and I want to recognize their generosity and commitment to my education since the day I was born. I would also like to thank my cat, for sitting with me through every assignment throughout the final spring quarter. Although this is a strange time to graduate, I can't wait to see what the future holds!
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Em Chapple
BS Psychology
Em Chapple
BS Psychology
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Writing a short story for my study abroad independent project!
I'm Em, and I'm graduating in the class of 2020 whoo! I loved being a Husky, and although I'm sad to see my time at UW end, I am so happy that I got to have all of the experiences I did. I was an HFS tour guide, I worked as a research assistant in three different settings, joined my sorority Alpha Omicron Pi, fell in love with my now UW grad boyfriend, and studied abroad in Italy- Rome, Venice, and Florence! I am starting my Master of Public Health at the Boston University School of Public Health this fall, and hope to work in community health practice. Bye UW, and thanks for all the memories!
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Sarah Cooper
Neuroscience
Sarah Cooper
Neuroscience
Comparative History of Ideas
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Getting the opportunity to present a poster at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference this past Fall in Chicago.
Thesis: Stimulation Rebound in Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor
Hi, my name is Sarah and I am a graduate of the UW Honors Program! While at the University of Washington, I got involved in research through the BioRobotics Lab, and throughout my time here I explored and expanded my interest in the many facets of neuroscience through a combination of research and my major classes. I will be attending Vanderbilt University in the Fall to pursue a PhD through their Neuroscience graduate program. I am grateful for the many experiences that made my time at UW so special, from studying abroad in Italy the summer going into my Junior year, to being a member of UW Chorale for all four years here as I found a meaningful sense of community and a way to keep music in my life during my college years. I will never stop being grateful for all the incredible people who have touched my life here and made UW a place that will always hold a special place in my heart!
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Ashley Tang
International Studies
Ashley Tang
International Studies
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Completing two Honours study abroad (the Netherlands and Sweden) in one summer
My WebsiteI am graduating two years early with a degree in International Studies and plans to apply to law school. Throughout the past two years, I worked at the UW Attorney General's Office as a student assistant and at the Seattle City Attorney's Office as an assistant paralegal intern. I also finally experienced what it is like to participate in a Model United Nations Conference.
I took a lot of classes with the Honours Program and the Jackson School that pushed me out of my comfort zone - particularly the time I spent studying abroad and as the student coordinator for our Task Force project on the potential of Europarties. I am thankful for the opportunities and experiences UW has given me!
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Forrest F Miller
Electrical Engineering
Forrest F Miller LinkedIn
Electrical Engineering
Mathematics
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Transferring my responsibilities on the Human Powered Submarine team to my successor
I am a student that is in awe of the world, who tinkered with enough equations and wires to get an engineering degree, who helped build a submarine in my spare time, who loves the learning inherent in teaching, and who steps forth optimistic about our capacity to overcome.
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Ryan M Littrell
Physics
Ryan M Littrell
Physics
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Becoming trombone section leader of the Husky Marching Band
I have enjoyed being a part of the Husky Marching Band and the Hiking Club at UW. They have allowed me to get to know my fellow huskies at on-campus events, but also travel off campus with friends.
I want to thank my family for all of the support they have given me over the years, and all of my honors professors for the intellectual discussions and variety of content that we have covered in the courses.Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
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Ethan F Knight
Neuroscience (B.S.), Public Health-Global Health (B.S.)
Ethan F Knight LinkedIn
Neuroscience (B.S.), Public Health-Global Health (B.S.)
Chemistry
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Finally being able to travel and study abroad to Costa Rica! It was an amazing country (with such good coffee) and I made many new friends along the way.
My Website knigheth000@gmail.comHi, my name is Ethan Knight! I graduating with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Public Health-Global Health, with College Honors in the latter. Throughout my time at UW, I have been blessed with the different friends, mentors, coworkers, and peers that I have met!
While I first arrived at UW a tad bit apprehensive and introverted, it was the small communities that I was able to find that brought me out of my shell. These communities - honors chemistry and Neuroscience - allowed me to grow and learn, both as a student and as a person, and I would not be who I am today without them. Also, my opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica allowed me to study something outside of my major, as well as make some new friends and mentors!
In addition, UW has also given me the opportunity to participate as a student researcher in the Dichek Lab. My time in the Dichek Lab has been incredibly formative and has solidified my desire to continue to engage in clinically important research. Combined with the lessons of my Public Health-Global Health major, I have gotten an expansive overview of medicine and health, from a single gene to communities-at-large.
I would like to thank all of my friends, family, and mentors for my UW experience (shout out to the Neuroganglia and Harvard House). Without you all, my experience would have been indescribably lacking!
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Annalena Rose Peterson
Business Administration: Finance
Annalena Rose Peterson LinkedIn
Business Administration: Finance
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: One of my proudest moments at UW was receiving my summer internship offer at The Intel Corporation and presenting my recommendations at the end of the 12-week internship.
My Website annalenarose22@gmail.comMy name is Lena and I am a senior graduating from the Foster School of Business with a focus in Finance. I am passionate about leadership, art and travel. After graduation I will be moving to Portland, Oregon to begin my career as a financial analyst at The Intel Corporation.
During my time at UW I had the opportunity to study abroad in both Rome, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both of these experiences yielded a decisive shift in my priorities, relationships, and what I imagined for my future. The journal I kept in Rome served as an outlet to process my experiences, but it also turned out to spark a passion for writing. During my senior year, Buenos Aires reignited my interests in art and travel. I had more time to create, and no shortage of inspiration. I loved visiting new museums, learning the history of the murals decorating the streets, and simply appreciating the idiosyncrasies of a new city.
Spending my final quarter of college quarantined in my apartment, has given me the opportunity to celebrate this last chapter of college with my best friends, and also ample time to reflect on the last four years. College is a primary time in life meant for learning. It just so happens that as much of my education came from outside the classroom, as from inside. And I’ve learned just as much about myself, as I have about the subjects covered in my classes.
I encourage you to take a look at my portfolio if you have a chance, because I’ve added a bunch of art and photos to give viewer a better idea of what’s important to me. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to develop my honors portfolio in punctuation of my senior year, and confident that it is an accurate and continuously evolving illustration of the last four years.
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Hope J Dorris
Law, Societies, & Justice and Political Science
Hope J Dorris LinkedIn
Law, Societies, & Justice and Political Science
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Getting into my LSJ major!
My Website hjdorris@uw.eduDuring my undergrad studies, I was drawn to questions of human rights, criminal justice, public policy, and international relations. My coursework included topics such as race/ethnicity, global health, homelessness, impoverishment, disability studies, women’s rights, educational equity, international law, sexuality, human trafficking, & climate change. I loved how my majors and Honors informed my passion and curiosity for these topics and provided me with more questions than answers. Two of my favorite academic experiences were participating in a course inside the Monroe Correctional Complex and studying abroad in Jamaica!
For all 3 years at UW, I have loved being a campus tour guide, helping to connect prospective students and families to resources and communities on UW's campus. I also interned with two non-profit organizations, the World Affairs Council and the Human Rights Defense Center, while helping one of my professors as a research assistant on her upcoming book project.
After I graduate from UW in the summer, I plan to attend graduate school, read good books, and travel internationally whenever possible. Being from Olympia, I also hope to get involved with state government, elections, and local change-making. I am so grateful for my time at UW and all of those who have made it so meaningful!
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Taylor V. Halverson
Communication & Scandinavian Studies
Taylor V. Halverson LinkedIn
Communication & Scandinavian Studies
Norwegian
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Writing an hour-long play about how much I love the library, both as an invaluable public institution and a home to shenanigans, and having it performed for 3 sold out audiences.
Thesis: Happy Endings for Whom? A Narrative Analysis of Bisexual Erasure in Lesbian Romantic Comedies
My Website taylorvhalverson@gmail.comTaylor is a reformed STEM major who never imagined she would be graduating with a degree in Communication and Scandinavian Studies. If she could only keep one lesson from her college experience, it would be that you can never know how things will shake out, but if you listen to your gut you’ll be (better than) okay. While at UW she’s had the opportunity to perform an original monologue, put together a symposium on the intersections of religious identity and student life, write satire news, a short film, and even an entire play, learn (a lot of) a language, travel abroad, and spend three very formative years working the circulation desk at the Gallagher Law Library.
While she’s not sure what comes next, (she’s still trying to figure out how to balance comedy writing with a career in civil service) she’s become comfortable with not knowing. Taylor is leaving UW feeling prepared for the unpredictability of life and grateful that these four years have taught her how to trust herself.
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Lisa Rei Courtney
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Lisa Rei Courtney
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Getting through CHEM 142 (despite the awful midterm grade) and the reassurance that yes, I can succeed in engineering prerequisite courses, despite women being underrepresented in the engineering field, and I am capable of graduating with an engineering degree.
I am graduating in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus in Water Resources. I pursued an engineering degree (despite having no family members in STEM) because I wanted hands-on skills to help better the world. I studied abroad in Peru after my First-year year, and while working with a local informal urban community, my eyes were opened to how lucky we are here in Seattle to have clean running water. In addition to my interest in water resources, I really want to promote sustainability, as well as encourage women in STEM. Through my activities in the Civil Engineering RSO, Concrete Canoe, I worked to design one of the most environmentally friendly concrete mixes in recent years at UW Concrete Canoe, as well as continue working on setting up the Rainwater Recycling system for the Construction Materials laboratory in More Hall. Another activity I have been so grateful to be a part of, is Phi Sigma Rho Engineering Sorority (Phi Rho). I have received so much support from my sisters in Phi Rho, and I held multiple leadership positions throughout my four years in Phi Rho, in order to give back and continue to grow this amazing community of women pursuing STEM.
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Audrey Immel
Public Health-Global Health
Audrey Immel
Public Health-Global Health
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Improving my Spanish while living in Quito!
I'm proud to graduate in a time when public health is more critical than ever. More than anything, my major has taught me the importance of investing in and working with communities before health crises occur. There is a lot to be sad about in the public health world but I feel hopeful when looking at my classmates who will eventually be running the show. One day, I hope to continue my public health education with a Masters of Epidemiology.
While working towards my public health degree, I was able to take time to explore my other interests. I took classes in literature, creative writing, and am now even enrolled in an online music production class! I studied in Mexico and Ecuador, showing me that language learning is one of the best ways to make connections. I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone with backpacking, climbing and skiing for the first time. But all of these explorations were anchored by a wonderful group of friends, many of which I met in the Honors Program!
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Patricia Popp
Computer Science
Patricia Popp LinkedIn
Computer Science
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: One of my proudest moments was hearing from my former female students whom I taught and teaching assistants whom I trained that I had inspired them to pursue a career in tech, during my 3 years serving as a CS Teaching Assistant and Teaching Assistant Coordinator.
My WebsiteHi! My name is Patty and I just graduated from the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering with a degree in Computer Science. During my time at UW, I have had the opportunity to be very active and involved in the introductory CS TA program and research in the UW Security & Privacy Lab. In my free time, I enjoy hiking to alpine lakes, reading philosophical novels, sipping assorted teas, attending farmers markets, and exploring this beautiful world we live in. In August, I will start working at Microsoft as a Software Engineer where I will build accessible technologies that empower people. As I find myself at this peak that represents the culmination of my time at UW, I look out onto the horizon and see that there are still so many mountains left to be climbed. Thankfully, after 4 years of hard work, I am well-equipped for whatever this next part of my journey has in store. Onward to the next peak!
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Maekara Serena Keopanapay
Political Science
Maekara Serena Keopanapay LinkedIn
Political Science
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Finding out I got the Washington State Senate internship and the State Department internship in South Africa!
maekarakeopanapay@gmail.comMy time at the UW fostered my academic, personal, and professional growth while helping me discover my connection to the world around me. I have been part of numerous communities both on and off campus, surrounded by the most hardworking and passionate people. They motivate me to consciously continue and improve upon making spaces inclusive for those who have been historically excluded in politics, international affairs, security, and beyond.
Now, I'm excited to pursue my MA in Security Studies at Georgetown, working toward a career that delves into political violence while prioritizing human security as a method to prevent and alleviate conflict. I am so proud to be a Husky and cheer on the Dawgs from this moment forward!
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Savanna Yee
Computer Science + Informatics (Human-Computer Interaction)
Savanna Yee LinkedIn
Computer Science + Informatics (Human-Computer Interaction)
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: When I found out that some teaching tools I made were being used in lecture demonstrations for hundreds of students
Mentor, maker, teacher, performer, advisor,/
advocate, researcher, event organizer./
I’ve constantly lost and found myself here,/
uncertainty is something I’ve learned not to fear./
Here I’ve gained new perspectives, been inspired by brilliance,/
opened up about depression, healing, resilience./
U-dub has fueled my interdisciplinary mind,/
always enticing me with more connections to find./
By combining technology, ethics, wellbeing, and art,/
this is how I’ll empower people--or at least how I’ll start.Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
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Ariela Maya Shortt Sanchez
Biology
Ariela Maya Shortt Sanchez
Biology
Dance
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Receiving the 2018 Homecoming Royalty Award
ariela.sanchez@gamil.comI am a passionate and curious individual who has developed a love for science through understanding the human body. My curiosity has led me to explore biology at the ecological, evolutionary, physiological and molecular levels but as a woman in STEM the most important skill is applying that knowledge in ways that dismantle systems of oppression and uplift communities and voices. I have spent my time at UW understanding my own identity but also the stories and complex identities of my peers. Becoming educated is one of the most special gifts in life and I could do so while also creating a community of amazing, bright, kind-hearted activists, artists, scientist, philanthropists and storytellers. I would not be graduating today if it weren't for staff and faculty who created safe spaces for curiosity and self-discovery. I could name a million folks working in UW Honors, ECC, EOP, OMAD, IC, La Raza, PISC, UW Arts Diversity Council, UW Biology, Burke Museum and Anthropology department. Just amazing people who really invest and believe in their students most importantly actively uplifting black and indigenous voices. My next steps are preparing for and applying to medical school with hopes to become a physician in the future. I hope to continue to center art forms, especially dance, as a platform in creating community, I hope to inspire more youth to pursue higher education and discover their purpose and power. I also hope to get more involved with the greater Seattle area to understand what issues people face and how to create a more caring and inviting space within healthcare. My goal is to provide healthcare to black, indigenous, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities in which health disparities most strongly affect, I hope to collaborate with other professionals who believe in human rights and incorporate communities needs in my everyday practice.
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Madison Meuler
General Biology
Madison Meuler LinkedIn
General Biology
Political Science
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Studying abroad was always a goal I had for college, and the opportunity to study abroad in Italy through the Honors Program was a dream come true!
mmeuler@uw.eduWhile at the University of Washington, I gained exposure to a variety of subjects and professional fields. Early on as an undergraduate, I worked as a research assistant in the Fryberg Lab studying cross-cultural social psychology. I worked as an assistant editor for Grey Matters and volunteered as a research assistant for the Human Rights Defense Center. During my Junior year, I was awarded the Sudarksy Internship Scholarship from the Department of Biology, which funded my summer internship in the Stuart Lab at Seattle Children's Center for Global Infectious Disease Research. In the summer of 2018, I had the opportunity to study abroad through the Honors Program in Italy, studying water conservation and Italian culture. Majoring in Biology and minoring in Political Science enabled me to pursue my dual interest in both science and policy.
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Krithi Basu
Bioengineering
Krithi Basu
Bioengineering
Law, Societies & Justice
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment was when I drafted and sent a department-wide email signed by about 100 other students to my department's faculty and administrators urging them to consider granting extensions and accommodations for Black students and students of color who were trying to balance completing their finals and contributing to the Black Lives Matter protests and other ongoing anti-racist movements. Over the years, I had noticed that there was a broad trend of apathy in the STEM community towards non-medical social issues so I was glad that I could bring in my social justice and ethics perspective to call attention to it in my department and see results when professors began to offer accommodations to their socially engaged and active students.
I started out at UW as a direct admit to the Bioengineering program, but little did I know that I would find my true passion in the field of law. I am so grateful for the Honors program for opening gateways for me to explore subjects outside of STEM and be my most authentic self. Despite being an introvert, watching my peers in the Honors program inspired me to take on leadership roles in the UW community, including Vice President of Delta Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc. (a South Asian interest professional service sorority), Professional Development Chair of Phi Alpha Delta (a professional pre-law fraternity), and the Director of Judicial and Secretarial Affairs of the Multicultural Greek Council. I have learned how to balance school, a part-time job, and these extracurricular commitments, and I could not have done any of it without the wisdom of my professors and the support of my friends and family. I am so excited to see where I go next, and I am very proud of everyone who is graduating today!
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Griffin R Dugan
Psychology (B.S.), Communication (B.A.)
Griffin R Dugan LinkedIn
Psychology (B.S.), Communication (B.A.)
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: The one that comes to mind for me was winning an award for a speech I have on Red Square about advocating for domestic violence survivors.
My Website griffindugan@comcast.netHello! My name's Griffin Dugan, and I graduated from the UW Interdisciplinary Honors Program in June 2020 (a very tumultuous time) with a dual degree in Psychology and Communication. I'm a pretty introverted guy who enjoys comedies, video games, dogs, and pasta. In my time at UW I had a lot of amazing experiences, including studying abroad in Ecuador, researching social connection and microaggressions, being a TA and a Peer Educator, and working as a tutor and an intern. The experiences that have meant the most to me have been the ones that have allowed me to work with some amazingly driven students and to support these people in their passions. Going forward, the future for me is still uncertain (especially in a pandemic), but I am excited to see what opportunities I will have to make connections with new people and to help foster growth in others.
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Kiana Alexis Rahni
Economics & Political Science
Kiana Alexis Rahni LinkedIn
Economics & Political Science
Global Health
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Finishing my thesis felt like a major accomplishment, one that truly captured my wide range of academic interests!
Thesis: Autocratic Transitions & Health System Performance: Regime Type as a Social Determinant of Health
I came to UW determined to go to law school and run for office. Over the past four years, UW and the Honors Program gave me the opportunity to explore a much broader range of interests. I've since taken a deep dive into the field of global health, learned to code, studied abroad in Uganda, completed internships and research at King County Public Health and UW Medicine, and found my first full-time job as a consultant. I've pursued my passion for philanthropy and educational opportunity and feel so grateful and proud to have spent the last four years making the most of the communities, classes, and opportunities that UW has provided me.
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Anya Zhen Watson
English and Philosophy
Anya Zhen Watson LinkedIn
English and Philosophy
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Playing at the Rainy Dawg Radio Battle of the Bands with my band, Cherry Tomato, during my junior year.
Thesis: Does Alcohol Consumption Serve the Interests of the Capitalist State? An Exploration of the Placating Effects of Alcohol and its Role in the Cultural Ideological State Apparatus
My Website anyaw@uw.eduI love playing guitar, running, and drawing. During college, I really enjoyed being involved in extracurricular activities. I was a copy editor and illustrator for the student-run travel magazine, Voyage UW. I also served on the executive board of my sorority for two years. In addition, I was part of a pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta. I was the outreach officer for The Philosophy Society and was promoted to the position of president during my senior year. I was also an officer for the Songwriting Circle, a UW RSO. Outside of UW-related extracurricular activities, I play bass in a band called Cherry Tomato. I also work at the Odegaard Writing and Research Center as a writing tutor and at The Princeton Review as an SAT instructor.
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Riley K Brown
Finance and Marketing
Riley K Brown
Finance and Marketing
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment is leading our football team out of the tunnel for my senior Apple Cup games with our mascot Dubs! Being one of his handlers has been by far the coolest thing I’ve done in college!
Hi all! I’m Riley and graduating from the Foster School of Business this Spring. Throughout my time at UW I have enjoyed building community through getting involved with things like Honors Peer Educator program, ASUW, Panhellenic Executive Council, Montlake Consulting Group and more. I have made so many wonderful friends and had so many incredible experiences that have shaped who I have become. Despite this year not ending the way I would wanted, I would never trade my time at UW for anything!
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Tina Chen
Computer Science
Tina Chen
Computer Science
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Performing at the Rose Bowl with the Husky Marching Band!
I came to UW without a single clue what my next four years would be like. I had no major, only a few friends, and absolutely zero certainty about the future. Looking back, it seems like everything somehow fell into place - I found a subject that excites me, met wonderful people, and was able to practice meaningful hobbies like music and yoga throughout the journey. Of course, I faced many obstacles along the way, but all I really had to do was put in my best effort and go with the flow... I rode the wave and here I am continuing to grow as a software developer working on Amazon Alexa!
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Audrey Marie Conrad
International Studies (General); Political Science
Audrey Marie Conrad LinkedIn
International Studies (General); Political Science
Human Rights
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: I was the Editor of my JSIS Task Force. It was a lot of work but it was a great opportunity to learn more about editing and organizing a policy report!
Throughout my time at the University of Washington I have focused on studying human rights and immigration through my majors. My research and background is predominantly based on the protection and promotion of human rights both domestically as well as internationally. I also focused on legal and immigration studies and on issues where these concentrations intersect with human rights concerns. During my time at UW, I worked part time in the field of immigration law. I studied the Spanish language abroad in Spain for three months and consider myself proficient in Spanish. After graduating from UW, I plan on ultimately going to law school.
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Elizabeth Rylance
Neuroscience
Elizabeth Rylance
Neuroscience
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: It's hard to pick! Traveling to Peru on a study abroad trip and doing field research in the Amazon rainforest was a huge one. Also, receiving the Mary Gates Research Scholarship for my work towards my Honors thesis, and finishing my thesis in general!
Thesis: Olfactory learning and memory in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus
My Website lizzyrylance@gmail.comHi! I'm Lizzy Rylance and I am graduating from the Neuroscience major at UW with College Honors. I am so grateful for the incredible opportunities and experiences I have had over the past four years, and especially grateful for all the people I have met along the way. I wouldn't be half the person I am today without the friends, mentors, faculty, coworkers, and classmates that I met throughout this journey.
As I move forward, I am more determined than ever to live fully, meaningfully, and with constant gratitude. I am planning on taking a gap year (or several) to travel, gain research experience, snowboard, backpack, read, listen, learn, and figure out how I can use my education and the opportunities that I've been given to contribute to a better future. Once I'm ready, I plan on pursuing graduate education somewhere in the realm of neuroscience, biology, ecology, psychology, or environmental studies.
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Evelyn Hyde
Biology, Philosophy
Evelyn Hyde LinkedIn
Biology, Philosophy
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: I am proud of the way my communities have come together during COVID-19 lockdowns.
eqhyde@gmail.comI kicked off my Husky journey in the Honors program, leading me to value experiential learning and interdisciplinary study early on in college. Here, I’ve almost aggressively pursued a range of interests – getting involved in nanofabrication research, study abroad, management consulting, journalism, the climbing community, and more. I am humbled to graduate from the Honors program and represent the UW as an alumna.
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Kimberly Christine Ruth
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Kimberly Christine Ruth LinkedIn
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: I remember participating in the Putnam competition and encountering a particularly nice problem. The solution was not initially clear to me, but the problem lent itself to persistent exploration and gradual discovery, and I loved the warm feeling I had as the last pieces of the proof fell into place in my head. I was proud that I immersed myself in the problem and enjoyed the journey as well as the destination.
Thesis: Understanding and Designing for Security and Privacy in Multi-User AR Interactions
I’m completing a double degree in computer engineering and mathematics with College Honors. My Husky experience has included participating in undergraduate research since first-year year, tackling challenging math problems, volunteering to help students on their path to academic success, and stretching myself in coursework both inside and outside of my major. I care that what I build is trustworthy, that I’m cognizant of how we know what we know, and that I’m contributing to the kind of community I want to be a part of. I enjoy learning to ask good questions under ambiguous circumstances, breaking down complex problems and questions, and probing the reasons why things are true. My academic and research focus is computer security and privacy: I work to discover how to build systems better by understanding how they can be broken. Using this security mindset, I’ve had the opportunity to address emerging security and privacy challenges in augmented reality, formulating design recommendations and building tools for technologists to use in practice. I’m honored to have received several forms of recognition during my undergraduate journey, including a UW College of Engineering Dean’s Medal, Computing Research Association Undergraduate Researcher Award, Washington Research Foundation Fellowship, Goldwater Scholarship, Husky 100 Award, and Mary Gates Research and Honors Scholarships. I’m very grateful for the many mentors and supporters who have helped me along the way.
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Sophia Bidinger
Materials science & engineering
Sophia Bidinger LinkedIn
Materials science & engineering
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: When my PI said my work should be the "gold standard" for undergraduate research.
My WebsiteIn the beginning, I was really unsure of whether engineering was right for me. However, after I started my research, I learned that passion is something you develop for a project you work hard at and believe in. It's not just something you find out of the blue. UW has been the perfect place for me to develop my scientific passions and to develop personally as an independent adult. I'm so excited to continue this development as I work toward my PhD at the University of Cambridge.
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Sheila Panyam
Philosophy
Sheila Panyam LinkedIn
Philosophy
Classical studies
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: One of my proudest moments was taking a graduate-level philosophy class and emerging from it having had a meaningful and successful experience. Not only did I get to learn about climate change and ethics, but I also got to do so with people actually researching the topic professionally.
My WebsiteI am a student from Portland, Oregon who loves to spend her free time reading, writing, and teaching. I competed on the UW's mock trial team for all three years of undergrad, where I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to cities all over the country (including visiting NYC for the first time!). Over the second and third summers of my undergrad, I did policy research at Portland City Hall, where I had the eye-opening experience of being on the other side of public protests. For the last two years, I've also worked at the Odegaard Writing and Research Center, where I've had the pleasure of helping others with developing written work. One of my biggest academic passions is examining women in antiquity who've been consistently overwritten or caricatured in the modern-day in order to clear their names. In fact, clearing names and spreading awareness has become an interest of mine in creative writing. I am working on two novels now, one about identity in Ancient Rome and the other, a retelling of a Hindu myth. I will be attending law school in 2021. I am grateful to the communities that have supported me at the UW, and all the friends, peers, and professors who have made my experience so fulfilling.
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Alexander David Peterson
Economics
Alexander David Peterson LinkedIn
Economics
Statistics
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Running for ASUW President and feeling deeply connected to a group of people who genuinely cared about the well-being of UW students
In 2015, Alex Peterson served as the elected chairman of the Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council, representing the needs of state youth to the legislature. At UW, Alex has continued his political activism in the ASUW Senate and as a member of the UW Democracy Through Dialogues advisory board. In the summer after his First-year year, Alex received a US-UK Fulbright Summer Institutes Scholarship to study Middle Eastern politics at the University of London, and he was later named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. In the summer of 2018, Alex conducted original research on the relationship between Modern Hebrew and political identity in Israel, and the following summer, he worked as a humanitarian aid worker in Dominica with the NGO IsraAID. Pursuing a degree in economics and participating in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program, Alex was awarded the UW President's Sophomore Medal in 2018 as the student with the highest academic standing at the university for his first two years of study. Alex plans to pursue a degree in law at Stanford university and later enter a career in public service.
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Zoe Moser
Psycholgy
Zoe Moser LinkedIn
Psycholgy
Informatics
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: One of my proudest moments at UW was submitting a very vulnerable essay about my "personal philosophy" in an Honors class that I had thought was out of my wheelhouse. I received the most thoughtful, positive feedback to my writing (that I have kept to this day), encouraging me to share this essay with friends and family. The pride I felt reading the feedback from my professor, as well as my friends and family, motivated me to share my creations more.
My name is Zoe Moser, and I'm graduating from the UW with a major in Psychology and minor in Informatics. Throughout my years at UW, I have been lucky enough to be involved in activities that have shaped my college experience, prepared me for the future, and helped me grow into the person I am today. Interdisciplinary Honors has provided me with many opportunities that I attribute to that growth, as well as the importance of reflection while doing so. Check out my Honors Portfolio to read more about how Interdisciplinary Honors has impacted my life!
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Sofia Cababa Wood
Visual Communication Design (VCD)
Sofia Cababa Wood LinkedIn
Visual Communication Design (VCD)
Art History
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Making it through nine finals weeks in the design program
My WebsiteHi, I’m Sofia. I started my undergrad at UW in a new continent, knowing no one. All I knew was that I wanted to see myself somewhere else. And that I wanted to become a designer. Five years later, I can say I’ve pretty much done that. In part, I spent this time working on an undergraduate degree at UW in Visual Communication Design and working as a designer. It is with a lot of work and privilege that I was able to achieve what I have, and I’m proud and thankful.
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Amelia Marie Barr
Mechanical Engineering
Amelia Marie Barr
Mechanical Engineering
Chemistry
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Just yesterday we gave our final senior design thesis presentation!
Thesis: Design of a Lab-Scale Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter
My Website amelia.marie98@gmail.comI am an energetic and curious individual who is passionate about nature, conservation, technology, and mangoes. For the past 3 years I have been a researcher at the UW Applied Physics Lab working on marine sensor equipment. In the near future, I aim to bring my marine engineering knowledge to the renewable energy sector. I am interested in opportunities to apply my skills to projects involving renewable energy, conservation, or sustainable technologies.
Off-campus, I am often traveling internationally or outside climbing, skiing, hiking, backpacking, biking, and learning partner acrobatics. I feel especially fortunate to have had the opportunity to venture to Peru on the Honors Andes to Amazon study abroad program with Dr. Ursula Valdez--a mind expanding opportunity outside my major that I would never have had through the Mechanical Engineering department.
Please reach out to me using my email or website. I love building connections!
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Meghan E Frisch
B.A. Public Health - Global Health
Meghan E Frisch LinkedIn
B.A. Public Health - Global Health
Diversity
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: My time at UW was compiled by many small moments of pride, however, the most frequently I felt proud was rock climbing with the Climbing Team at UW. Whether it be a mental or physical barrier, the effort put in and the improvement that followed made me proud of myself and of my team!
The best I can describe my time at the University of Washington is as a journey of exploration. My direction evolved from one path to the next after experiences and courses began to build my personal resume of what I found important and inspirational. With every quarter came intentional decisions on where and how I would spend my time in order to further narrow my course of study and better understand myself personally. I entered the UW with no definitive direction; my perspective was open to college presenting the opportunity to explore every interest, in which I would trust my reflection and draw my personal and educational paths.
My path was not one without disappointment or confusion, but within my experiences morphed an exponential presence of enlightenment and excitement. Some of my favorite experiences at the UW included traveling to Zimbabwe for a population health study abroad where I was introduced to the public health field, working at IHME - a public health organization that many of you may now know of due to their COVID-19 response, and working as a Professional Ski Patroller and EMT at the local ski resort over the winter months. I have grown into my niche of study, with many of the same people by my side from the beginning. And when I say from the beginning - I mean the first person I met and sat next to at my orientation day, who also happened to be in my orientation group and living in the Honors LLC. My earliest friends and my amazing family have created a support system I will never take for granted, and for which I have the UW to thank.
I will never forget my time at the University of Washington, but I look forward to where the tides take me.
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Isaac Burton Love
Computer Engineering and Mathematics
Isaac Burton Love
Computer Engineering and Mathematics
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Watching the results of the senior capstone robot, RoboAngelo, autonomously draw on a whiteboard.
Thesis: Using a Non-Iterative Inverse Kinematic Method to Imitate a Human Arm with a PR2 Robot; Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm in Robotic Controls
I enjoy robotics, rockets, Dungeons & Dragons, and Magic: the Gathering.
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Emily Margaret Thomas
Chemical Engineering
Emily Margaret Thomas LinkedIn
Chemical Engineering
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: I was very proud to see my group's capstone project come together
My WebsiteHi! I'm Emily Thomas! I'm excited to be studying chemical engineering at the university of Washington, and I love doing art and reading in my spare time.
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We love Honors
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Laurette Hanna
Political Science and Psychology
Laurette Hanna LinkedIn
Political Science and Psychology
Human Rights
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Completing my Thesis Defense
Thesis: Collective Memory, Violence, and the Effects of Intractable Conflict: The Case of Israel-Palestine
Laurette is graduating with a double major in Political Science and Psychology and a minor in human rights. She goes on to begin a job at Citizen University - a civic education non profit - as the youth program coordinator. In this position she has to opportunity to train young people across the country in civic power and grass roots organizing movements. She also has an amazing opportunity to create a brand new civic education curriculum that will be shared nation wide in the hoped of building a culture of more powerful, conscious, responsible citizenship.
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Michaela Leung
Earth and Space Sciences
Michaela Leung
Earth and Space Sciences
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: In my senior year, I published a first author paper in culmination of research throughout my time in undergrad.
My WebsiteI came to UW at 15 through the Robinson Center's UW Academy for Young Scholars. In my sophomore year, I was able to explore beyond my major including doing a study abroad in Italy. I have been involved in research for much of my time at college as well as working at the Odegaard Writing and Research Center as both a tutor and peer leader. This year, I was honored to be selected as part of the 2020 Husky 100 and to be able to share my passions for science, education, and equity. In the fall, I will be starting a PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Riverside where I am excited to continue my academic and personal journeys of discovery and growth that have begun here at UW.
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Wylie Fu-Xing Kau
Chemical Engineering
Wylie Fu-Xing Kau LinkedIn
Chemical Engineering
Designation: College Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: My proudest moment at UW was successfully fabricating and testing a high efficiency perovskite solar cell!
My WebsiteGrowing up on Orcas Island, it was a pretty big transition moving away from home and to the UW. Since then, I've grown to love the city of Seattle and the abundant opportunities UW offers its community. I've become fascinated with solar technology, competed for UW in the NC3 Climbing circuit, co-authored a cutting edge research paper, and cemented many lasting friendships. I look forward to summer bike packing trips and helping facilitate a global shift to renewable energies!
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Diego Andreas M. Lingad
International Studies (Development)
Diego Andreas M. Lingad LinkedIn
International Studies (Development)
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Helping lead the Filipino American Student Association during the centennial year of Filipino organizations at the UW.
My WebsiteI've always wanted to learn more about the world. My UW experience allowed me to do just that—and then some. In my classes, I've learned about Singaporean foreign policy, represented the Czech Republic in an EU simulation, and co-edited a task force report on Japanese politics. My desire to learn more about the world led me to Singapore, where I spent a year as an exchange student. I've gotten involved in Voyage UW, a student-run magazine that provides a platform for students to share their travel stories. While I was learning about places far and wide, I'm glad to have found a home community at the UW with the Filipino American Student Association (FASA). Serving as FASA's Historian my sophomore year taught me lessons in leadership and the importance of community.
While I've done a lot these past few years, I know there's so much more world for me to learn—and I can't wait to get out there.
Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
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Jeffrey Adair Taylor-Kantz
Public Health - Global Health
Jeffrey Adair Taylor-Kantz
Public Health - Global Health
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Realizing that the field I chose to study is an extremely critical service in our world right now.
My Website taylojef@gmail.comI am now graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health -Global Health. I'm studying to be an epidemiologist and will be attending graduate school here at UW in the Department of Epidemiology starting in autumn. I'm a laid back guy who loves reading, long walks, and longer conversations. I am very thankful to all of the people who have supported me over the years. I am proud to be graduating with everyone now, and I wish my fellows all possible luck and skill in their next steps.
Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
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Mitchell Otis Estberg
B.S. in Computer Science & B.A. in Japanese
Mitchell Otis Estberg LinkedIn
B.S. in Computer Science & B.A. in Japanese
Mathematics Minor
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: At the end of my fourth quarter TAing, the students in my section all gave me perfect ratings. There's always room to improve, but it felt great to know my efforts were appreciated.
My Website estberg.mo@gmail.comI grew up in Evanston, Illinois and spent the last four years studying at UW and Waseda. I spent most my time on learning CS, Japanese, and Math and helping teach intro CS. I also tried volunteering, playing bass, and exploring Seattle and Tokyo on bike. If there's every anything I can help you out with, definitely reach out. Looking forward to learning and teaching for the years to come!
Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
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Nell Baumgarten
Biology and Psychology
Nell Baumgarten
Biology and Psychology
Designation: Interdisciplinary Honors
Honors Grads 2019/2020
Proudest Moment: Being nominated by the Psychology Department for the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Medal!
neb2016@gmail.comI am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had while a student at UW. Some of my most meaningful experiences throughout college include working as an assistant in an inclusive preschool classroom at the EEU, interning in the Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit, and coordinating a reading program in the Seattle Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic.
I also enjoyed researching the effect of pollution on mussels in the Carrington Lab, studying abroad in Costa Rica, and taking the leap to join the climbing team at UW with no climbing experience! I look forward to my next chapter, which will hopefully include bikepacking (backpacking, with everything on a bike), camping, reading, and lots of good coffee.
Interdisciplinary HonorsTags:
Honors Graduation 2020
Missed the live event? Walk through celebration elements below.
We have concluded our first celebration of the UW Honors Program’s class of 2020. We recognize the hard work and tremendous growth of this cohort, who have fulfilled their shared commitment to reflective interdisciplinary learning and conscious global citizenship as the center of their undergraduate education.
Please check out the ceremony video, grad profiles and montage of messages and memories created by, for and about this wonderful group of humans. And stay in touch with Honors! You can see links on our homepage to connect through LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube and to subscribe to receive Honors news!
1. Watch the Montage of Honors Memories!
We invited graduates to share photos and videos “To the class of 2020, from the class of 2020.” Enjoy this short montage of lovely messages and memories. Special thanks to everyone who contributed!
2. Watch Graduation Ceremony Video
Heartfelt speeches by members of the class of 2020, including:
Izaiha Ellis, Ariela Sanchez, Mitchell Estberg, Jaclyn Shallat, Olivia McGoldrick, and Sam Fredman.
Recognition of Distinguished Honors Alumna Sue Sherbrooke by Honors Program Director Vicky Lawson.
Words of encouragement from Sue to the class of 2020.
Conferral of Interdisciplinary and College Honors by Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Vice Provost Ed Taylor.
3. Browse this gallery of Graduate Profiles
Among the graduating Honors Huskies who have chosen to create these profiles, you will find a wide range of passions, values, backgrounds and plans for the future. Each graduate has gone above and beyond the requirements of earning a degree in their major(s) and each path has been uniquely profound. They are united by shared experiences, the practice of deep reflection and creative problem solving, a belief in the value of multiple perspectives, and a willingness to listen with compassion and pose challenging questions.
Some Honors Huskies are still working on their profiles! If you don’t see your favorite graduate in this gallery, you might want to look again when we send our end of year email later this summer.
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Oscar Avatare
Finance & Data Science
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Niki Seligman
Psychology and International Studies
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Kleitia Cerekja
Public Health- Global Health
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Sacha Moufarrej
Neuroscience
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Kahana Pietsch
Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
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Carolyn Brager
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
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Emma S Schnee
International Studies
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Maren Anderson
Environmental Science & Terrestrial Resource Management
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We love Honors
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Elizabeth H McKinnie
Computer Science; Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences (ACMS)
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Jaclyn Shallat
Microbiology
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Stephen Anthony Chmelewski
Political Science, Spanish
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Alexander Le
Electrical Engineering, Geography
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Josh Maxwell Pollock
Computer Science
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Jacque Li
Computer Science
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Brendon E Davis
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (B.S.); Mathematics (B.A.)
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Michelle K. Pyke
Business Administration, Marketing
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Neta Simon
Microbiology
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Claire Bacon
International Studies
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Samantha N Fredman
Law, Societies, and Justice
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Parsa Alba Farhang
Neuroscience
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We love Honors
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Elaine Katherine Currie
Psychology
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Em Chapple
BS Psychology
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Sarah Cooper
Neuroscience
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Ashley Tang
International Studies
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Forrest F Miller
Electrical Engineering
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Ryan M Littrell
Physics
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Ethan F Knight
Neuroscience (B.S.), Public Health-Global Health (B.S.)
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Annalena Rose Peterson
Business Administration: Finance
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Hope J Dorris
Law, Societies, & Justice and Political Science
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Taylor V. Halverson
Communication & Scandinavian Studies
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Lisa Rei Courtney
Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Audrey Immel
Public Health-Global Health
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We love Honors
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Patricia Popp
Computer Science
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Maekara Serena Keopanapay
Political Science
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Savanna Yee
Computer Science + Informatics (Human-Computer Interaction)
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Ariela Maya Shortt Sanchez
Biology
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Madison Meuler
General Biology
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Krithi Basu
Bioengineering
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Griffin R Dugan
Psychology (B.S.), Communication (B.A.)
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Kiana Alexis Rahni
Economics & Political Science
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Anya Zhen Watson
English and Philosophy
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Riley K Brown
Finance and Marketing
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Tina Chen
Computer Science
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Audrey Marie Conrad
International Studies (General); Political Science
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We love Honors
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Elizabeth Rylance
Neuroscience
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Evelyn Hyde
Biology, Philosophy
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Kimberly Christine Ruth
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
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Sophia Bidinger
Materials science & engineering
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Sheila Panyam
Philosophy
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Alexander David Peterson
Economics
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Zoe Moser
Psycholgy
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Sofia Cababa Wood
Visual Communication Design (VCD)
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Amelia Marie Barr
Mechanical Engineering
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Meghan E Frisch
B.A. Public Health - Global Health
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Isaac Burton Love
Computer Engineering and Mathematics
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Emily Margaret Thomas
Chemical Engineering
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We love Honors
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Laurette Hanna
Political Science and Psychology
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Michaela Leung
Earth and Space Sciences
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Wylie Fu-Xing Kau
Chemical Engineering
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Diego Andreas M. Lingad
International Studies (Development)
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Jeffrey Adair Taylor-Kantz
Public Health - Global Health
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Mitchell Otis Estberg
B.S. in Computer Science & B.A. in Japanese
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Nell Baumgarten
Biology and Psychology