Athens, Ga. – Seven high school seniors in Georgia have been named “Promising Scholars” by the University of Georgia’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO).
The students were recognized by CURO for their academic achievements in math and science and were invited to UGA to attend the annual undergraduate research symposium sponsored by CURO each spring. Each student also received a $250 stipend under a grant to CURO from the National Science Foundation.
“We appreciate receiving this NSF grant that enables us to recognize these high-caliber students and provide an opportunity for them to connect with some of UGA’s brightest young researchers,” said Pamela Kleiber, CURO coordinator and associate director of UGA’s Honors Program. “We hope this will encourage these high school students to pursue advanced study in science, technology, mathematics or engineering.”
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During their visit to UGA, the high school students were paired with CURO apprentices – freshmen and sophomores who work one-on-one with faculty mentors on year-long research projects in various disciplines.
Woodland High School senior Allison Bishop was escorted around campus by Caelin Cubenas, a recent UGA recipient of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship awarded to top students from across the nation. Cubenas talked about her CURO research experiences working with UGA cell biologists Marcus Fechheimer and Ruth Furukawa. “I think undergraduate research is very important to the college experience in terms of helping undergrads improve their skills for their future career fields,” said Bishop, who plans to enter the CURO apprentice program in the fall.
Jeremy Jones, a Statesboro senior who plans to attend UGA as a recipient of UGA’s Ramsey Honors Scholarship and as a CURO research apprentice, said he was impressed with the CURO symposium and the fact that his guide, Edmond Fomunung, was conducting research as a freshman.
“Jeremy accompanied me to my presentation at the symposium and was amazed to see the depth of research that a first-year student like myself was doing,” said Fomunung.
The 2005 “Promising Scholars” are:
Name / Hometown / High School
Chike Akoh / Athens / Cedar Shoals High School
Allison Bishop / Cartersville / Woodland High School
Gabrielle Gay / Decatur / Cedar Grove High School
Jeremy Jones / Statesboro / Statesboro High School
Hannah Kamau / Decatur / Southwest Dekalb High School
Paul Ruddle / Valdosta / Lowndes High School
Devon Watson / Atlanta / Benjamin Mays High School
CURO was established to foster a culture of inquiry by providing opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research guided by faculty mentors. Although part of UGA’s Honors Program, CURO programs are open to all interested students with a 3.4 GPA. For more information, see www.uga.edu/honors/curo.
