Dean's Research Scholars

The Dean’s Research Scholars are a group of outstanding undergraduate students who represent the nearly 6,000 hard-working science and mathematics majors in the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University.

The program is currently in its 12th year, and this select group of students participates in special events and speaking engagements to showcase current student success to generations of alumni.

• Oluwabusola Julia Ajagbe
• Emily Bardwell
• Cesarine Graham
• James Hager
• Anne Lemek
• Hariharan Ramakrishnan
• Shashank Ravishankar
• Jessi Rodriguez
• James Suggitt
• Lydia Valtadoros

Dean’s Research Scholars have the ability to clearly communicate their research and classroom experiences to MSU alumni in order to best showcase what student life is currently like on campus, in the classroom and in the laboratory.

NatSci coordinates and covers the travel costs for scholars. In addition, each scholar receives a $750 scholarship each semester ($1500/school year) to help support their involvement with this program.

If you have any questions regarding the Dean’s Research Scholar program and/or their availability, please contact Sara Ford, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Events.

• Scholars must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits/semester) in a major in the College of Natural Science (Lyman Briggs majors are not eligible). Students may have additional majors in other colleges, but their primary major must be in Natural Science.
• Scholars must have completed at least one semester of research with an MSU faculty mentor (the faculty mentor can be from any college, not just Natural Science) prior to application. 

Expectations

The Dean’s Research Scholars represent the College of Natural Science at events and speaking engagements across the U.S.

As representatives of the College of Natural Science and Michigan State University, scholars will be expected to abide by the terms set forth in the description and expectations as well as general university rules and regulations governing student conduct and discipline set forth in the Spartan Life handbook.

Scholars are named for a 12-month term from May through the following May. During that time, scholars will participate in in the following:

• 2-4 College of Natural Science events or speaking engagements;
• Attend an orientation meeting on being a Dean’s Research Scholar in August 2024  (usually the Monday or Tuesday before classes begin);
• Attend the NatSci Alumni Awards program on Friday, April 5th, 2024.
• Participate in a panel discussion during Classes Without Quizzes in April 2025 (date, time and location to be determined);
• Write a student point-of-view during the school year for posting in MSU Today.

The Dean's Research Scholars scholarship may affect a student’s financial aid. Prior to accepting their appointment as a Dean's Research Scholar, students should contact the MSU Office of Financial Aid at 517-353-5940 or finaid@msu.edu to determine this.

NatSci is not responsible for determining how this scholarship will affect each student's financial aid.

Selection

When candidates submit their online application, they will be contacted by a staff member from NatSci Alumni Relations with a Qualtrics request for their availability. Candidates must respond to this survey in order to be considered.

After the February 16th application deadline, all applications will be forwarded to an Evaluation Committee comprised of College of Natural Science alumni.

• Interviews with potential candidates will be conducted via telephone from February 23 - March 3, dates and times that are mutually-agreeable to the Evaluation Committee member and the candidate.
• Candidates may be interviewed by more than one Evaluation Committee member and at different dates and times.
• The College of Natural Science will coordinate all interviews via email, so it is imperative that candidates be responsive to email in this process.

A limited number of Dean’s Research Scholars will be selected based upon their qualifications and major.

Applicants will be notified by March 19 via email if they have been selected as a 2024-25 Dean’s Research Scholar. Selected students will have until March 25th to accept their appointment. Students not selected as a 2024-25 Dean’s Research Scholar will be notified by April 1st via email.

Apply to Become a Dean’s Research Scholar

The application to become a Dean's Research Scholar is now open until Friday, February 16th. Please note you do not need to be conducting your own research. You will discuss the research you are taking part in with your faculty mentor in the application.

Thank you for applying and good luck!

Questions?

Please contact Sara Ford, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Events.

 

How did you select your major:
I selected neuroscience as my major after taking an anatomy and physiology class in high school and falling in love with learning about the human body.

If your little brother/sister was coming to MSU, what is one piece of advice you would give them: College is a place to discover yourself; giving yourself the grace to make mistakes is okay because making mistakes is part of growing up. Try all the dining halls at least once; explore campus and get involved in clubs because it can help in meeting people or finding community.

Person/People who have inspired you: My parents—who have made me who I am today and who constantly encourage me to pursue my dreams and never give up.

Favorite food: Fried Plantain with fried eggs.

Best song/group: “Hope” by NF/ AJR.

Book I’d recommend: Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande.

On my bucket list: Trying most of the restaurants around campus; and traveling to at least two countries in all seven continents.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Paul the Apostle.

On a Saturday afternoon, you’ll likely find me: Volunteering at Sparrow hospital.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): Greater adaptation of energy efficient transportation in the world.

Plans after graduation: I plan on going to medical school or pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Working as an Intercultural Aide (ICA) which has led me to meet so many wonderful people; attending MRULE roundtable discussions; attending my first MSU CSC club meeting; taking Chinese class.

How did you decide to attend MSU: I considered universities across the country, but I found that MSU offered an unparalleled culture and unmatched opportunities. Every time I visited MSU's campus, I encountered students who exuded a genuine, humble, and driven attitude. Conversations with the faculty and students convinced me that MSU would offer me a distinctive platform to pursue my aspirations regardless of the path I chose.

How did you select your major: I have had a knack for science and passion for wildlife from a young age. Growing up, I became increasingly aware of the impact of climate change on our planet, including rising occurrences of wildfires and habitat destruction, which displaced natural wildlife populations. Witnessing the stress humanity has placed on the natural world has been disheartening, but has motivated me to become part of the solution.

Person/people who have inspired you: My 8th grade history teacher, Mrs. McCune; my mentor, Dr. Mariah Meek.

Best song/group: “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman; The Beatles.

Best invention: Google Maps.

Worst invention: Plastic.

On my bucket list: Compete in mountain running and ultramarathon races across the United States; deep water scuba diving to explore marine life.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Jane Goodall.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): Affordable and accessible clean energy.

Plans after graduation: Get an internship abroad to work on conservation genomics projects.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years: In graduate school for a Ph.D. in a conservation genomics program. I’d love to work on a project to conserve either marine mammals or African wildlife.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Winning the Big 10 Cross Country Championships with my teammates, and spending the summer conducting ecological research and meeting new people at the Kellogg Biological Station.

Importance of this scholarship to you personally and to your future career: Through this prestigious program, I aim to enhance my ability to communicate scientific ideas to diverse audiences and inspire others to take on opportunities that go beyond the traditional academic experience.

How did you decide to attend MSU: I transferred here from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. I knew that there were many more research and educational opportunities here so I moved after finishing my sophomore year in Florida.

How did you select your major: I have always had strong passions for space and mathematics, so astrophysics was the perfect degree for both of these interests.

Of everything you have experienced at MSU, what has surprised you the most/what is something you never expected: The strength of the MSU community. Not only are the students extremely passionate about this school and their degrees, but the surrounding community is also very supportive of us students and the effort we have to put into our degrees.

If your little brother/sister was coming to MSU, what is one piece of advice you would give them: Have fun! Being in college can be very stressful at times, but it is important to remember that you’re still human and very young. It’s just as important to enjoy life and make friends and prioritize your own happiness—finding a balance between this andschool.

Best song/group: Pink Floyd.

Book I’d recommend: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Best invention: The computer; my degree and my interests would be nothing without computational power.

On my bucket list: Go deep sea fishing with my friends in Florida. 

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): I would love to meet Carl Sagan. His presentations, research, and books really inspired me to pursue higher education in astrophysics.

On a Saturday afternoon, you’ll likely find me: Going to the gym and spending time with my closest friends.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): The improvisation of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the medical field!

Plans after graduation: I plan on going to graduate school and continuing my studies and research.

 What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Attending football games and cheering on our team with my friends in the student section.

How did you select your major: I have a passion for puzzles, and computational mathematics provides me with an outlet to balance problem solving with computer science principles. 

Of everything you have experienced at MSU, what has surprised you the most/what is something you never expected: Being a student at MSU is figuring out what makes everyone around us alike and celebrating the uniqueness of the student body. I created new relationships based on my similarities with others and by acknowledging the differences.

If your little brother/sister was coming to MSU, what is one piece of advice you would give them: I would tell them to join and try out clubs to make MSU smaller. Integrating into campus can be hard at times, and the large student body can be isolating. By joining clubs, you can make friends with similar interests, and learn more about yourself.

Person/People who have inspired you: My father has inspired me to pursue what I am passionate about instead of what others expect of me.

Favorite food: Strawberries.

Best song/group: Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Book I’d recommend: I Robot (series),  by Isaac Asimov.

Coolest gadget: VR Goggles; you can go anywhere you want in the entire world for free.

Best invention: The compass; it’s amazing to me how they thought to use earth's magnetic fields so long ago.

Worst invention: Asbestos. 

On my bucket list:  Going into space.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead):  Mel Blanc.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): James Webb telescope.

Plans after graduation: Attending graduate school and pursuing a degree in applied mathematics.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: My favorite MSU memory was exploring campus in the middle of the night with my friends.

How did you decide to attend MSU: Both of my parents are alumni (as well as about half of my mom’s family), so I’ve been around campus for a good portion of my life. MSU is familiar, and its research opportunities and academic programs made attending an easy decision.

How did you select your major: I find microorganisms fascinating. They show incredible diversity in type at a scale non-visible to the eye, the way they interact with each other and their environment, the way they are everywhere and are both beneficial and harmful.

Favorite food: Apricots, or watermelon . . .  or any summer fruit.

Best song/group: “Incandescent Ruins” by The Mountain Goats.

Book I’d recommend: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.

Coolest gadget: Noise-cancelling headphones.

Best invention: Antibiotics.

Worst invention: LED headlights on cars.

On my bucket list: Publish a novel or a short story collection.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Ursula K. Le Guin.

On a Saturday afternoon, you’ll likely find me: Doing homework, hanging out with friends, or grocery shopping.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): A new antibiotic (or other strategy) for treatment-resistant microbes.

Plans after graduation: I plan to achieve a PhD in microbiology and research pathogenesis.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Hanging out with my friends, mostly: watching objectively terrible movies, playing games, picnics by the river on nice days. 

Importance of this scholarship to you personally and to your future career:  I am in a unique position to expand awareness of the different types of research within the field of microbiology. Additionally, I will be able to build scientific communication skills that I will need to succeed as a research scientist.

How did you decide to attend MSU: I had visited MSU multiple times throughout middle and high school for the Science Olympiad state tournament that MSU hosts. The campus is beautiful, the students are really friendly and motivated, and the academic opportunities and flexibility are top notch.

Person/people who have inspired you: My club advisor for a community service student organization, Alternative Spartan Breaks—Tina Houghton.

Best song/group: The Weeknd.

Coolest gadget: VR headsets.

Best invention: The Internet.

Worst invention: Nuclear bombs.

On my bucket list: Go skydiving.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Mahatma Gandhi.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): Artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Where do you see yourself in 25 years: As a physician-scientist bridging the gap between clinical research and patient care.

Importance of this scholarship to you personally and to your future career: It is a huge honor to be selected to represent the university’s undergraduate research program as a College of Natural Science Dean’s Research Scholar. I would like to share my experience with other undergraduate students so they might put themselves a bit out of their comfort zone and experience the best of what an R1 research institution has to offer, and hopefully find something that they enjoy. 

How did you select your major: I went into my freshman year thinking that the macroscopic world was fascinating and wanted to become a microbiologist. My interests changed during my second semester of freshman year when my new goal was to become a healthcare professional, preferably in orthopedics. 

If your little brother/sister was coming to MSU, what is one piece of advice you would give them: Do what makes you happy and challenges your curiosity each day; don't let anybody else convince you otherwise, and constantly remind yourself what you want to achieve before you graduate.

Person/people who have inspired you: My parents. They made the best out of whatever they got and taught me important values and beliefs that have shaped the person I am today.

Book I’d recommend: Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty. 

Coolest gadget: Sony Walkman.

Best invention: Smartphones.

Worst invention: Google Glass.

On my bucket list: Scuba diving in Southeast Asia or Central America. Travel to the Emirates Stadium in London to watch Arsenal play soccer. 

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Muhammad Ali.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): Advances in neurotechnology.

Plans after graduation: Travel around the country with my friends before attending medical school in Michigan.

Where do you see yourself in 25 years: Practicing medicine in the field I am most passionate about while simultaneously conducting research, potentially in infectious diseases.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Welcome Week of freshman year where I spent all night interacting with random strangers. Going on long walks with my friends around Brody neighborhood after a stressful day.

Importance of this scholarship to you personally and to your future career:  I am determined to use my research findings to communicate with the public. As someone who was raised from humble beginnings, I will utilize this opportunity as an avenue to help and advocate for the underrepresented communities and inspire minority groups around the nation.

How did you select your major: Growing up I would watch Grey’s Anatomy and knew I wanted to pursue a career somewhere within the medical field. Going into college I was not sure the exact path I wanted to follow medically and knew human biology would be a good major where I could be flexible with that decision until I figured out what I wanted to do.

Person/People who have inspired you: My parents and grandma are my biggest inspirations. My parents have taught me to chase after my dreams and to not stop until I get there. Also, growing up I have watched my grandma display kindness to people all around her, which has inspired me to do that same.

Favorite food: Spicy salmon sushi roll.

Best song/group: One Direction.

Book I’d recommend: Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

Coolest gadget: Amazon Kindle.

Best invention: GPS.

Worst invention: Spam emails.

On my bucket list: Travel to Norway to see the Northern Lights.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Princess Diana.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): To integrate nanomedicine into a clinical setting on a large scale.

Plans after graduation: Take a gap year to travel, then attend pharmacy school and pursue a career as a pharmacologist.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Tailgating before the football games with my roommates. Also watching astronomy shows at the MSU planetarium.

How did you select your major: I’ve always found cells fascinating, and exploring their underlying biochemical mechanisms as well as their impacts on human health is such a rewarding field of study.

Of everything you have experienced at MSU, what has surprised you the most/what is something you never expected: The breadth and depth of experience available here; in the fall of my freshman year, I met a professor who had spent over 30 years studying potatoes for potato chip production!

If your little brother/sister was coming to MSU, what is one piece of advice you would give them:  Get involved on campus! There are so many opportunities . . . and you can really make an impact in your community as well as find great friends. Being a part of clubs on campus has helped me define my experience here at MSU.

Person/people who have inspired you: Ms. Shawhan, my AP Biology teacher in high school, who opened my eyes to the magic of the living world.

Favorite food: Spaghetti Bolognese.

Best song/group: “Willow” by Taylor Swift.

Book I’d recommend: The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee.

Coolest gadget: Infrared thermometers.

Best invention: The printing press.

On my bucket list: Visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. 

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Charles Darwin.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): Personalized cancer vaccines.

Plans after graduation: Attending medical school to conduct research in clinical settings. 

Where do you see yourself in 25 years: Practicing medicine in an academic medical center, helping drive the next generation of advances in patient care. 

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Cheering on the football team with friends and taking late night walks around campus.

How did you decide to attend MSU: The community was so welcoming, and both my dad and brother are alumni!

 Of everything you have experienced at MSU, what has surprised you the most/what is something you never expected: Seeing Sparty driving around campus on a golf cart; nothing brightens your day like it!

 If your little brother/sister was coming to MSU, what is one piece of advice you would give them: Find any community to be a part of – connecting with your peers really makes the college experience.

Best song/group: My parents instilled a love for The Smiths in me at a young age.

Book I’d recommend: I love the Harry Potter series.

Coolest gadget: I love my AirPods! Perfect for studying in public.

Person I’d most like to meet (living or dead): Michelle Obama.

Major research breakthrough of the next decade (not your own, but overall): Immune therapy for treating cancer.  

Plans after graduation: Finding a job and then attending graduate school.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years: Pursuing my PhD.

Where do you see yourself in 25 years: Teaching students as a professor.

What are some of your favorite MSU memories: Attending sporting events and being a part of the club triathlon team. 

Importance of this scholarship to you personally and to your future career: I have loved representing MSU as a Natural Science student. This college cares about its student and I’m proud to showcase my time at MSU and connect with alumni and friends of the university. Being a Dean’s Research Scholar has also introduced me to so many interesting and friendly alumni and encouraged me to continue research.