The Beckman Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for exceptional transfer students. This 15-month mentored research program seeks applications from students who intend to pursue graduate studies in Chemistry, Biology, or Biomedical Sciences. Beckman Scholars are matched with top faculty researchers and will receive $21,000 to support their research over two summers plus one academic year. Mark Ayers and John Carey are this year’s Beckman Scholars!
Mark is a junior studying Biology. He plans on pursuing further education in graduate school with a focus on contributing to both academic and R&D genetic research.
Mark applied for the Beckman Scholars program because it would provide an avenue to start his career in research and give him the opportunity to make a difference in science while continuing his undergraduate education. His desire to attend University of Michigan was due to the university’s innovations in his fields of interest, and Beckman allows him to pursue these interests.
When asked how the application process benefited him, Mark notes, “I would say the application process has taught me the power of self-advocacy. I saw this opportunity as a way to progress professionally and apply what I was learning in the classroom to the real field of science. I would highly advise any potential applicant to do the same. Take the chance and see what lessons it can possibly teach.”
He would like to thank both his family and his partner Emma for encouraging him to keep going.
John Carey is a sophomore studying Chemistry. In the future, he plans to pursue graduate study in Organic Chemistry, where he hopes to work on projects involving drug discovery and new synthetic methods for pharmaceuticals and biologically important compounds that combat cancer and other deadly diseases. His ultimate goal is to conduct research and teach as a Professor of Chemistry.
He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Electrochemical Society, and currently serves as a Science Learning Center (SLC) study group facilitator for Chem 210. While at U-M Dearborn, he received the Award for Excellence in Natural Science and has been awarded the William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize.
John applied for this award because he believed it would be an excellent way to support his future career, and the Beckman Scholars award was particularly appealing because it supports his background as a transfer student and gave him an opening to thrive as a scientist and further build his passion for chemistry.
John notes that the straightforward application and careful advice from professors and advisors alike during the Beckman Scholars application process was incredibly helpful, “if you are thinking about pursuing a career in research and are a transfer student that finds this application, just apply because you have the possibility to be involved in such a great opportunity with other world-class researchers and faculty that want to help you achieve excellence in your goals.” His advice to future applicants would be to trust their abilities and give everything towards the application, because the Beckman Scholars program offers a lot of help in finding research experience and the process gave him a great deal of insight for future applications.
He would like to thank his parents and family for supporting him through everything in his life, as well as previous educators who helped foster his love for science.
