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Scholar Alumni

ARCS Scholar Alums, We’d Like to Hear from You!

You are a vital part of our mission. Your stories encourage current scholars and help us attract new funding for future scholars.

Stay involved with ARCS Foundation members and other scholars if you have moved to the Pittsburgh area or want to give back in any way, including speaking about your research at an ARCS Foundation event. Let us know how you would like to participate in carrying ARCS Foundation work into the future.

To notify the Pittsburgh Chapter that you are in the area, please email us at pittsburgh@arcsfoundation.org. To update your information, navigate to the Member & Scholar login.  To learn more about speaking at or hosting an event, click here.

ARCS 2016 Scholar Alumni

DEAN ALDERUCCI
  • Research: Application of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to patent documents and the patent system.                                                              
  • CMU - Carnegie Institute of Technology / Engineering & Public Policy
    School of Computer Science / Language Technologies Institute
TIMOTHY BARTHOLOMEW
  • Research:  Improving water treatment and   management for the energy sector                                                                                                                               
  • CMU - Carnegie Institute of Technology
    Civil and Environmental Engineering
ETHAN BASSIN
  •  Research: Developing Treg mimicking microparticles with the goal of treating type 1 diabetes​​
  • Pitt - School of Medicine
    Immunology
KATERINA CLEMENS
  • Research: Visual system and how we decide to make particular eye movements​​
  • Pitt - Center for Neuroscience
MICHELLE HEUSSER
  • Research: Mechanisms of population coding in the oculomotor system
  • Pitt - Swanson School of Engineering
    Bioengineering
ALEXIS NOLFI
  • Research: Women’s health research, specifically the disease endometriosis and the conditions of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
  • Pitt - Swanson School of Engineering
    Bioengineering
   
Victoria Corbit
  • Research: Graceful degradation of computer systems in response to adversarial attacks
  • CMU - School of Computer Science
    Institute for Software Research
 
J
ARCS Scholar Alum Spotlight - Melissa Day

Melissa writes, “I can’t believe it’s been six whole years since I became an ARCS scholar!” Melissa was the recipient of the Dr. Arnold O. Beckman Award for the first three years of her doctoral degree at the world-renowned Chemical Engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University from 2009-2012. She has recently completed her PhD and will be an AAAS Fellow this coming September while working at the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Center for Environmental Research in the Air, Climate, and Energy Research Program.  She says, “I’m very excited!”

During her time at Carnegie Mellon as an ARCS scholar, Melissa published three papers “to investigate how climate change may impact the air quality in the Eastern United States.”  Her first paper, Predicted Changes in Summertime Organic Aerosol Concentration Due to Increased Temperature, which can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231011008521, “shows that the climate change response of natural or biogenic emissions may be more important than temperature changes alone.”  A second paper, Effects of a Changing Climate on Summertime Fine Particulate Matter Levels in the Eastern U.S., shows “the very complex results of changing every meteorological factor at once.” It can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014JD022889/full. Melissa also shared a third paper, Evaluation of the Ability of the EC Tracer Method to Estimate Secondary Organic Carbon, which she says, “I was able to use my air quality model to evaluate how accurate an emissions measurements technique was that experimentalists use in the field, and provide some suggestions to increase its accuracy.” Her overall thesis is available online at http://gradworks.umi.com/36/90/3690564.html.

Currently, Melissa is continuing her work with the local chapter of Engineers Without Borders. She spoke about her work building a potable water pumping system for a rural community in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador at prior ARCS events. She is pleased to report that it “was completed in January 2012 and has been functioning well since then.” She recently traveled back to the same community to help install two latrines and a handwashing station. She says, “We were pretty successful.” A time lapse video of the progress is available at https://youtu.be/mxSex0V2U4E.  Melissa is organizing the fundraiser Whiskey for Water for Engineers Without Borders which will be held on July 22 at Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse on the Northside. More information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whiskey-for-water-a-fundraiser-for-engineers-without-borders-pittsburgh-tickets-17428083868.

ARCS Scholar Alum Spotlight - Bart Roland

Bart was an ARCS scholar at Pitt from 2008 to 2011.  He wrote to us, "I just wanted to give you and the other ARCS folks a heads up that some of my thesis work will be released soon in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Cell Science."
ARCS Scholar Alum Spotlight - Elisabeth Gilmore
In 2004, Elisabeth Gilmore was the first and sole recipient of a Scholar Award from the ARCS Foundation - Pittsburgh Chapter. She now holds a dual PhD in Engineering and Public Policy and Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Her dissertation work evaluated the costs, air quality and human health effects of distributed electricity generation.

Following a post-doctoral position at the Climate Decision Making Center at CMU, Elisabeth was selected as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, DC, where she worked on the quantification of benefits and avoided risks of different climate scenarios in the Climate Change Division at the Environmental Protection Agency.

In the fall of 2011, Elisabeth accepted an assistant professor position in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. She will be focusing on energy and environmental policy.  Before her doctoral studies, she worked at the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo, Norway (PRIO). This work resulted in two widely cited publications on the links between diamonds and civil conflict. She also holds a Masters and Bachelors in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto.

To read more about Elisabeth's research, click here.

Pittsburgh ARCS Scholar Alums

ARCS Pittsburgh Scholar alums continue to make their mark on the scientific world. We are proud of their accomplishments.

  University of Pittsburgh Scholar Alums
2015-2017 Scholar Alums  

Shelby Hemker

The Berdik-Pappas Award 2015-17
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Research:  hypoxia in kidney development and its effects on gene expression

Daniel Long

Roche/ARCS Foundation Scholar Award in Life Sciences 2015-17
Department of Bioengineering
University of Pittsburgh
Research:  cellular and organ engineering
2014-2016 Scholar Alums  
Jennifer Boatz Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2014-16
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine

Victoria Corbit

The Beukema-Wainwright-Wood Award 2014-16
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine

Michelle Guaragno

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2014-16
University of Pittsburgh, Department of BioEngineering
2013-2015 Scholar Alums  
Courtney Andersen The Woodard-Ryan Award 2013-2015
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program

Whitney Lane

The Jeanne Berdik Founder Award 2013-2015
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program
Nick Pavlovsky The Abraham-Martin-Ragni Award 2013-2015
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
Brooke Sullivan The Fine Foundation Award 2013-2015
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Interdisciiplinary Biomedical Graduate Program
2011-2013 Scholar Alums  

Denver Faulk

The Stockman-Paul Award 2011-2013
University of Pittsburgh, Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering
Adam Large Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2011-2013
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Neuroscience

Robert Matthew Miller

The Burke-Harter Award 2011-2013
University of Pittsburgh, Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering
Austin Nuschke Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2011-2013
University of Pittsburgh, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program, College of Medicine
2010-2012 Scholar Alums  

Anny Caceres

Joy-Linhart Award 2010-2012
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Katharine Harris The Beukema-Carrow-Wainwright Award 2010-2012
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine

Megan Jamiolkowski 

Westinghouse Electric Company Award 2010-2012
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering

Tyler Tarr

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2010-2012
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Center for Neuroscience
2009-2011 Scholar Alums  

Berook Alemayehu

Burke-Harter Award 2009
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Mahlon Collins 

Huntington-Testoni Award 2009-2011
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Neuroscience

Sarah Cook

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2009
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Neuroscience

Douglas Marvel

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2009-2011
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Immunology Program

Callie Norris

McCague-Munchmeyer-Ragni Award 2009-2011
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Program

2008-2010 Scholar Alums

  

Prince Awuah

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2008-2010
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Nydiaris Hernandez-Santos

Gookin Family Foundation Award 2008-2010
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Kristen Balogh Leslie

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2008-2010
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Michelle Messmer

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2008-2010
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Bartholomew Roland

Granito-M. Ryan Award 2008-2010
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
 

Carnegie Mellon University Scholar Alums

2015-2017 Scholar Alums

  

Stephanie Biedka

The Roche/ARCS Foundation Scholar Award 2015-17
Department of Biological Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science
Research:  biological sciences

Michael Craig

The Lockheed Martin Award 2015-17
Department of Engineering and Public Policy
Carnegie Mellon University, CIT
Research:  environmental impact of the electricity grid

Hannah Gommerstadt

The Auclair-Unkovic Award 2015-17
Department of Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science
Research:  programming languages and information security

William Herlands

The Hans and Leslie Fleischner Award (V) 2015-17
Machine Learning Department
Carnegie Mellon University, H. John Heinz III College and School of Computer Science
Research:  machine learning and public policy

Amy Shannon

The Jared L. and Maureen B. Cohon Award 2015-17
Human-Computer Interaction Institute
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science
Research:  human-comp

2014-2016 Scholar Alums

  

Daniel Gingerich

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2014-16
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Engineering and Public Policy
Devin Griffith Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2014-16
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering

Clay Long

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2014-16
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Momin Malik

The Gookin-Stockman Award 2014-2016
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science

Joseph Tassarotti

The Susan and Roy Dorrance Award (II) 2014-2016
Carnegie Mellon University,  Computer Science Department

2013-2015 Scholar Alums

  

Peter Chapman

The Kirwin-Leckey Award 2013-2015
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science

Tom Jackson

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2013-2015
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Peter Lund

The BNY Mellon Award 2013-2015
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Department of Biomechanical Engineering

Lauren Strahs

The Heppner-Testoni-Young Award 2013-2015
Carnegie Mellon University, Charnegie Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

2011-2013 Scholar Alums

  

David Bamman

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2011-2013
Carnegie Mellon University, Computer Science/Language Technologies Institute

Shawn Burton

Hans and Leslie Fleischner Award (III) 2011-2013
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Biological Sciences

Amy Dale

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2011-2013
Carnegie Mellon University, Engineering and Public Policy, College of Engineering

Samantha Finkelstein

Hans and Leslie Fleischner Award (IV) 2011-2013
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction Institute

Rachel Jackson

The Berdik-Elliott Award (III) 2011-2013
Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

2010-2012 Scholar Alums

  

Andrew DeYoung

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2010-2012
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Chemistry Department

Michael McCann

The Roy and Susie Dorrence Award 2010-2012
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Biomedical Engineering Department

Manya Sleeper

The Thomas W. and Carol K. Henderson Family Fund Award 2010-2012
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science

Stephen Spagnol

PPG Industries Award 2010-2012
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering Department

Jason Tsay

Catalyst/Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2010-2012
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science

2009-2011 Scholar Alums

  

Melissa Day

Dr. Arnold O. Beckman Award 2009-2011
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering Department

Robert Fisher

The Fine Foundation Award 2009-2011
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Machine Learning Department

Lauren Jackson

Jeanne Berdik Founder Award 2009-2011
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Materials Science and Engineering Department

William Levine

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2009-2011
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Department of Physics

Julia Schwarz

The BNY Mellon Award 2009-2011
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction Institute

2008-2010 Scholar Alums

 

Chase Hetherington Butler

Hans and Leslie Fleischner Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Inorganic Chemistry/Astronomy

Mark DeBlois

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Biological Sciences, Neuroscience

Lindsey Hines

Highmont Foundation Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Robotics

Stephen Oney

Heitzenroder-Stockman-Woodward Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction Institute/Astronomy

Andrew Rape

Carol and Richard Heppner Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Biomedical Engineering

Robert Smith

MSA Charitable Foundation Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering
Julia Schwarz The BNY Mellon Award 2009-2011
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction Institute

Nathaniel Shank

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Chemistry
Manya Sleeper The Thomas W. and Carol K. Henderson Family Fund Award 2010-2012
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science

Robert Smith

MSA Charitable Foundation Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering

Enrique Suarez

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2008
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Physics, Radio Astronomy

Jessica Wilson

Berdik-Elliott Award 2008-2010
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Civil and Environmental Engineering

2007-2009 Scholar Alums

  

Brian Becker

Westinghouse Electric Company Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Robotics

Katherine Fu

Lawrence J. Rhoades Memorial Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering

Katharine Ricke

Abraham-Wainwright Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Engineering & Public Policy

Nathaniel Shank

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Chemistry

James Arthur Tolbert II

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science
David Whitney Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science, Biological Sciences

Christopher Wirth 

PPG Industries Award 2007-2009
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering

2006-2008 Scholar Alums

  

Armen Arevian

Thomas W. and Carol K. Henderson Family Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation 2006-2008
Carnegie Mellon University, Mellon College of Science
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Neuroscience, Biological Sciences

Thomas C. Diaz

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2006
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering

Kevin Gimpel

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2006-2008
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Computer Science, Language Technologies Institute

Alysha J. Grenko

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2006-2008
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Materials Science & Engineering

2005-2007 Scholar Alums

  

Michael H. Dinitz

Vicki and Tom Griffin Award 2005-2007
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science, Computer Science

Gabriella Engelhart Farnham

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2005-2007
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering

Kathleen Spees

Berdik-Elliott Award 2005-2007
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Engineering & Public Policy

Daniel J. Wendlandt

Hans and Leslie Fleischner Award 2005-2007
Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science

2004-2006 Scholar Alums

  

Elisabeth A. Gilmore

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2004-2006
Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Engineering
  Penn State University Scholar Alums

2015-2017 Scholar Alums

  

Jenna Reeger

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2015-17
College of Agricultural Sciences
Penn State University
Research:  plant biology

2014-2016 Scholar Alums

  

Joseph Schneiderwind

The Bennett-Coppersmith-Palmer Award 2014-16
Penn State University, Graduate Program in Acoustics

2013-2015 Scholar Alums

  

Laura Radville

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2013-2015
Penn State University, Department of Ecology

2011-2013 Scholar Alums

  

Christopher Thawley

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2011-2013
Penn State University, Ecology Intercollege Graduate Program, Huck Institute of the Life Sciences

2010-2012 Scholar Alums

  

Whitney Coyle

The Bennett-Coppersmith-Palmer Award 2010-2012
Penn State University, Graduate Program in Acoustics

Denise M. Finney

The Maureen Emily Ryan Award 2010-2012
Penn State University, Department of Biology

Meredith Hanlon

Pittsburgh Chapter Award 2010-2012
Penn State University, Department of Biology