Celina Cahalane
I was initially on track to pursue a PhD in biochemistry, with the intent to spend the rest of my life in a research laboratory. It was not until I was a General Chemistry Teaching Assistant that I realized my real passion for science came with the passing of knowledge onto others. As much as I enjoyed the idea of being on the cutting edge of scientific research, I felt a much greater sense of satisfaction knowing that I was able to help someone understand the fundamentals of chemistry. And by teaching, I was able to reinforce and, surprisingly, re-learn the fundamentals as well. My husband and I were blessed with our first child recently. We want to ensure that we are able to be with her and give her as much as we possibly can. This scholarship will provide an immense relief to the cost of my education, reducing the time I have to spend working and paying for childcare as well as increasing the time I can spend with her and focusing on my studies.

Ryan Erickson
When I graduate in August, 2008, I will also have an International Engineering Certificate in Spanish. I have conducted research in Iowa, Monterrey, Mexico and Oregon. I am now in the midst of studying the effects of silicone oil on protein stability.

I enjoy teaching and currently do so as a CU Engineering Fellow, a volunteer for the TEAMS outreach organization, and an undergraduate TA. I am teaching at an after school ESL outreach program in Lafayette County. I also enjoy intramural sports, weight training and just getting out and about in the wilderness.

Rachel Gheen
One of my life's desires is to have a deep and lasting impact on people. Teaching Satisfies this desire. I am choosing to teach Chemistry and Biology not only because I love these subjects, but also because I believe my students will gain lasting life skills in the science classroom. I plan to teach wherever there is a need: locakkym in an inner city, or abroad. I recently heard from a friend of mine who works in Afghanistan that the local schools are badly in need of teachers. There are many possibilities, so I look toward the future with excitement.

Ward Handley
I was born and raised in Boulder, CO and currently attend classes at the University of Colorado ’Äì Boulder pursuing a double major in physics and astronomy in addition to secondary science teaching certification. As a Boulder native I love hiking and spending time in the great outdoors. This love has yielded a life long commitment to ecological conservation and environmentalism. Combined with my passion for social justice and working with youth, this has led to a budding career in science education aimed at high needs schools and student populations. Now in my 5th year of studies I am finishing up coursework in preparation for student teaching in the spring of 2008. I am also a 2nd degree black belt and have been coaching all ages in martial arts for 7 years.

Holly Harker
My name is Holly Harker and I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I attended Cherry Creek High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1986. After graduating, I was employed at a biopharmaceutical company for 16 years where my responsibilities included developing processes, scale-up of processes, process validation, viral clearance validation and peer training. In 2003, I chose to take time off to enjoy being a mom to my daughter and my two stepchildren, while also taking steps to begin a second career as a science educator. I am currently a candidate for Master of Arts in Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder School of Education as part of the Master’Äôs Plus program for curriculum and instruction in secondary science education. I hope that my love of chemistry will be inspirational for my students, helping them to understand the nature of science as well as the chemistry of our world.

Sam Severance
Because my road to the field of education has been such a winding one, my finances have been tight to say the least, especially over the past year when I worked in near-poverty fighting HIV/AIDS as an AmeriCorps VISTA in California. This sum you have given me, but perhaps more importantly the added confidence you have instilled in me, I see not just as an investment in my future graduate school education at CU-Boulder but as an investment in the education of all those I will instruct over the course of my life.

Jennifer Smith
I grew up in a small town- Elkton, MD- situated between Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA. Many of my high school classmates viewed education as something to just get through on their way to adulthood. In fact, fewer than 30% of my class continued on to a 4 year university even though many were more capable. Although neither of my parents earned a college degree, I learned from them that education was paramount to success. Additionally, my teachers, specifically my high school chemistry teacher, sparked my interest in science and encouraged me to pursue a science degree as an undergraduate. I've spent the past six years working in a university admissions office helping students navigate their way through an exciting and anxious point in their lives. While this has certainly been a fulfilling job, I've missed using my science background. I'm excited to move to a career that combines my commitment to education with my love for science.

Michelle Stachurski
Michelle Stachurski is a senior at the University of Colorado in Boulder where she studies biochemistry and secondary science education. She has a heart for the outdoors and is an avid skier and cyclist. Each day she becomes on step closer to fulfilling her career dream f becoming a high school chemistry teacher. She plans to receive her biochemistry degree in May 2008 and complete here teaching certificate the following spring. Michelle became especially interested in teaching high school science when working as an undergraduate learning assistant for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher Preparation (STEM-tp) program. Here, she facilitated conceptual discussions in introductory laboratories at the University of Colorado. She also teamed with university astonomy faculty to revise the laboratory manual. Michelle is especially interested in understanding individual learning styles and utilizing that knowledge to advance high school student comprehension of chemistry curriculm. She recognized the importance of education and looks forward to the challenges and rewards from enlightening and exciting young minds.

Kathleen Phu
After completing my undergraduate studies, I am interested in pursuing a career in clinical pharmacy where I will be able to research in pharmacology and work with patients. I currently work in a local retail pharmacy and in the summer, I am a teacher assistant in chemistry fro the Minority Arts and Sciences Program. In my spare time, I enjoy tennis and volunteering for Alpha Phi Omega, a non-Greek national coed community service organization.