2015 MHTA Foundation STEM Scholarships

2015 MHTA Foundation STEM Scholarships
The MHTA Foundation promotes the development of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math (STEM) competency in students that will enable them to thrive
in and support the global competitiveness of Minnesota’s technology-based economy.
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2015 M I N N E S O TA T E K N E AWA R D S
As MHTA’s philanthropic arm, the MHTA Foundation provides financial support
to deserving STEM Students, teachers and schools. The MHTA Foundation’s work
is evidenced tonight in the 18 scholarships to students studying a STEM discipline.
We encourage you to support our future workforce by pledging your support for the
MHTA Foundation Scholarship Fund. Please give generously during this evening’s
program. Thank you for your support!
2015 MHTA Foundation STEM Scholars
Samantha Adank
CenturyLink Scholarship for STEM Education
MATHEMATICS & EDUCATION, CONCORDIA COLLEGE
Samantha is graduating in May with a double major in Mathematics and Education. During her time at Concordia
College, she has worked as a tutor for America Reads, Concordia’s mathematics department, and after-school programs
at the YWCA. In the last academic year she also served as an Interfaith Scholar and co-President for Concordia
College’s chapter of the nationally-awarded Better Together Campaign, an organization focused on interfaith work.
This past summer, as a Phillips Scholar, she implemented her community service project, Growing from the STEM.
The project focused on exposing youth to STEM topics in a real-world context through project-based learning activities
and fostering female empowerment in STEM pursuits. She plans to pursue a career in education and to continue her
involvement in STEM programming for youth.
Eleni Beyene
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
CHEMISTRY, AUGSBURG COLLEGE
Eleni is an international student at Augsburg College, originally from Ethiopia. Although Eleni is a chemistry major, she
considers herself a student of many disciplines due to her research exposure. After her first year, Eleni was chosen as one
of ten Sundquist Scholars and received funding to carry out research in the Biophysics Department. Her research was
later published and she presented her research at the Annual Biophysical Society Convention in San Francisco. After her
junior year, Eleni interned at the University of Minnesota with the goal of developing a probiotic culture for the turkey
production industry to help alleviate Light Turkey Syndrome. After graduating this May from Augsburg College, Eleni
hopes to further her education and pursue a career in renewable energy.
Sarah Bliese
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
CHEMISTRY, HAMLINE UNIVERSITY
Sarah is a junior with a majors in Chemistry and Biology. During the last academic year, she was awarded the Mary
Maude Knox Memorial Award, Carolyn Beggs Endowed Scholarship, and the Norma J. Johnson Scholarship for
Women in the Natural Sciences at Hamline University. She works as a chemistry laboratory teaching assistant for
General Chemistry. She is also a third-year editor of The Liner, the yearbook at Hamline University, and a second-year
secretary of Omicron Delta Kappa, an honor society focused on leadership and service. After her sophomore year, she
conducted researched at the University of Notre Dame where she developed analytical techniques to detect poor quality
pharmaceuticals, which can be used in developing countries. She plans to pursue a doctorate in Analytical Chemistry.
Rochelle Brooks
Robotics Alley Scholarship for Robotics & Engineering
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA – TWIN CITIES
Rochelle is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. This past summer, she was an
intern at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center doing stress analysis for Ground Support Equipment for SLS, NASA’s new
rocket. In the summer after her freshman year, she was an Operations Engineering intern at Sparboe Farms. While
there, she helped with the installation of new equipment and the startup and troubleshooting process for their new
egg-processing facility. Previously, she was a Quality Lab Assistant at 3M in Hutchinson. Rochelle recently completed
a May Session studying Mechatronics in Switzerland. She is an active member and Mentorship Director for the Society
of Women Engineers, plays flute in the University Band, and participates in a Bible Study.
Tameka Cannon
Cyber Security Summit Scholarship
INFORMATION SYSTEM, ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY
Aschalew Chamiso
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
PHYSICS, MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD
Aschalew is studying Physics, with an emphasis in Medical Physics and minoring in Mathematics. He will be graduating
in May of 2016. Over the summer, Aschalew was doing research at North Dakota State University (NDSU) on analysis
of biological samples using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in air and liquid media. He will be continuing his research
at NDSU and will be doing additional research on the atomic force microscope at his home institution. Aschalew is
a recipient of the Upper Class Honors Apprentice Scholarship, the highest academic scholarship in Minnesota State
University Moorhead and a two time recipient of the Upper Classman Scholarship. He is a member of Golden Key
International Honors Society, National Society of Black Engineers and American Physics Society. He is planning to
pursue a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.
CenturyLink Scholarship for STEM Education
LIFE SCIENCES TEACHING, METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Nathan is graduating in December with a major in Life Sciences Teaching and licensures in Middle School General
Science and High School Life Sciences. Through a work-study position at Metropolitan State’s Institute for Community
Engagement and Scholarship, Nathan created First Saturday Science - a free, hands-on laboratory program for
community children of all ages to expand their exposure to science. For the last three years, hundreds of community
children have attended First Saturday Science’s programs ranging from DNA and Microbiology to Space-time and
Relativity. Nathan plans to bring his commitment to community and service learning to a career as a science educator
in an urban public school system..
Katrina Hanson
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES
APPLIED PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - RIVER FALLS
In May, Katrina will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering from the
University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics with a minor in Chemistry from the University of
Wisconsin – River Fall (UWRF). She is an inductee of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Sigma Pi Sigma National
Physics Honor Society, and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She won the 2014 UWRF Chancellor's Award — the
university's highest honor student award — for her service and leadership to the university and surrounding community.
She served as the president of the Society of Physics Students, River Falls chapter, for two years and is currently an active
member of the Society of Women Engineers. During the summer of 2014, Katrina interned at NASA Glenn Research
Center, where she synthesized and characterized polyimide aerogels for aerospace applications. She then completed an
internship in the Research and Development Materials Science department at Marvin Windows and Doors during the
summer of 2015. She holds an ongoing position as a technical aide in 3M's Corporate Research Materials Laboratory
Polymer Science division, a role she has held since 2012. Following graduation, Katrina is planning to pursue a doctorate
in Bioproducts Engineering, Materials Science, or Polymer Chemistry.
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Nathan Fell
2015 M I N N E S O TA T E K N E AWA R D S
Tameka was born and raised in Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School in 2012. During her time at
Washburn, she played softball and was welcomed into the National Honor Society. Tameka has also been active in her
community as a member of the Leadership Team at Urban Ventures. She continued to volunteer when she could while
attending college and working two jobs. Always having been interested in technology, she is graduating in May with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Information System with a certificate in Business Intelligence. This past summer, she
interned at UnitedHealth Group and was able to apply her knowledge in the field. Upon graduating, she plans to work
a year to gain more experience as a Business Analyst or Database Architecture before starting her master’s degree in
Information Assurance.
2015 MHTA Foundation STEM Scholars
Hillary Heiling
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
STATISTICS AND BIOCHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA – DULUTH
Hillary will graduate in May 2016 with a double major in Statistics and Biochemistry. Hillary is an IBM Watson Scholar,
and she has received three awards for being number one in her classes: The C.R.C. Freshman Award for Excellence in
General Chemistry, the Grace C. Peterson Calculus Achievement Award, and Achievement in Organic (POLYED) Award.
Hillary volunteers as a math tutor on the University of Minnesota – Duluth campus, and she has received the highest
tutoring certification available by the International Tutor Training Program. Hillary has also received funding for three
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) projects. For the first two, she mathematically analyzed results
from isothermal titration calorimetry to determine the binding parameters of proteins. For her third UROP, Hillary is
analyzing clinical trial data that studied metabolic syndrome in mental health patients taking antipsychotic medications.
Hillary plans to go on to graduate school for a Ph.D. in Biostatistics after she graduates.
Matt Helm
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
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2015 M I N N E S O TA T E K N E AWA R D S
ENGINEERING, MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO
Matt is graduating in December with a major in Engineering and an emphasis in Electrical Engineering. Matt has been
awarded numerous scholarships, including the Max Scholar Award, the MHTA STEM scholarship, and has been on the
dean's list twice. Matt is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He interned at the Blandin Paper Company during his junior year, and completed
a business project as an internship for Idea Drilling during his senior year. Matt has participated in four engineering
projects, ranging from high frequency wireless power transfer to building a robot using virtual reality and haptic
feedback. He plans to pursue a career in circuit analysis/PCB design, or software development.
Colleen Hutchison
Women Leading in Technology Scholarship for Woman in STEM
BIOLOGY, MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Colleen Hutchison will be graduating in May of 2016 with an Associate’s Degree in Biology. She then plans to pursue
a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. Colleen’s career goals are to do research and
work in clinical neuropsychology. With a focus on the brain and its many connections to emotions, behavior and
psychological wellbeing, she is determined to be a direct help and influence to those struggling with mental illness or
other neurological disorders. Colleen is an Honor Student, Phi Theta Kappa member, National Science Foundation
S-STEM Scholar, and has also received various other awards for leadership, community service and academic
achievements. Outside of school, Colleen enjoys photography, reading, and spending time with her husband and 3
daughters.
Aduramo Lasode
MHTA Foundation Scholar
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, MINOR COMPUTER SCIENCE, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING,
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-TWIN CITIES
Aduramo is a senior, studying Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, with an emphasis in Design and
Manufacturing, at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is an honors student at the University, and is with the
National Society of Black Engineers. Aduramo has a passion to impact her community positively, through tutoring
middle, high school, and college students. She is active in her college community through leadership roles within
organizations related to her identity, African Christian Fellowship. Aduramo is a motivated young woman who finds
herself through music and believes in impacting the lives of her peers through patience, empathy, and love.
Abigail Meyer
Thomson Reuters Scholarship for Computer Science
MATHEMATICS, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TWIN CITIES
Abigail is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Mathematics as a member of the University Honors Program. In the last
academic year, she tutored a diverse body of students at Ramsey Middle School in Minneapolis. She was able to focus
her attention on math and science classrooms where she shared her passion for STEM disciplines. On campus, Abigail
is a member of Tesla Works, a student-run organization that unites people who enjoy creating projects, one of the most
well-known being the annual College of Science & Engineering Light Show. In addition, last spring Abigail was given
the University-wide honor of receiving the Excellence in First Year Writing Award for her essay “The One Child Policy
and the Empowerment of Urban Women in China."
Fathima Mohamed
Women Leading in Technology Scholarship for Woman in STEM
BIOLOGY & ENGLISH, HAMLINE UNIVERSITY
Fathima is a junior with majors in Biology and English as a Women Leading in Technology Scholar. She is a teaching
assistant for Principles of Ecology & Evolution and a tutor for the core Biology courses. She is also a member of the
Honors program executive council and is the Board of Elected Representatives chair for the Student Congress. After
her freshman year, she interned at the Goldberg Lab at Hamline University where she utilized the MTS assay to assess
the efficacy of CRISPR/ Cas 9 on gene knockout. This past summer, she interned at the Dulac Lab at Harvard University
where she researched the role of the NTS in the mammalian suckling neural circuit. After college, she plans to pursue
a MD/Ph.D degree.
Jason Morris
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
BIOCHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA – TWIN CITIES
Mary Nelson
MinneAnalytics Scholar for Big Data, Analytics, & Data Science
STATISTICS AND ACTUARIAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - DULUTH
Mary Nelson will be graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth in the fall of 2015 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Statistics and Actuarial Science with a minor in Marketing Analytics. Her skills in digital marketing and
statistics, along with her interest in problem solving and technology have prepared her for a career in analytics and
digital marketing. In her future, she plans to pursue a master’s in data analytics or digital marketing analytics. Mary
aspires to use her curiosity for data to make a difference in her passions: Fitness, Fashion, Health and Wellness, or
Travel. Her top skills from Strengths Finder 2.0 are: Achiever, Communication, Strategic, Positivity, and Woo.
MHTA Foundation STEM Scholar
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE, ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY/ AND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Michael is currently attending St. Cloud State University, pursing a bachelors’ degree in Medical Laboratory Science.
He plans to graduate in spring of 2017. He is the vice president of the internship club, and is a member of both the
science club, physics club, and the recruitment officer for his son’s cub scouts pack. Michael was a teacher’s assistant
for microbiology, while he was also the lead lab tech for the Microbiology department, while working to receive his
Biotechnology and Chemistry Associate in Applied Science degree from Minneapolis Community and Technical
College (MCTC) in the last two years. Michael was also recognized for research by the Minnesota Undergraduate
Scholars in Feb. 26, 2014 at the state capital. He helped to start and pass on a research project on bioremediation of
heavy metal in ground water at MCTC. While pursuing his two Associate in Applied Science degrees at MCTC he was
granted a scholarship from the National Science Foundation for his academic excellence. He plans to return to industry
shortly after graduation.
Vanneck Tiako
Cyber Security Summit Scholarship
COMPUTER SCIENCE, NORTH HENNEPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vanneck Tiako is majoring in Computer Science at North Hennepin Community College (NHCC). He plans to graduate
with an associate’s degree in Science in June of 2016. He then plans to transfer to Metropolitan State University to pursue
his education in Computer Science. He has been awarded the June E. Tessman Memorial Endowed Scholarship, and
the Mathematics Scholarship respectively in 2014 and 2015 at North Hennepin Community College. He is President of
the Francophone Student Association at NHCC, which is a club that includes French speakers and people interested in
learning French. He is currently a Math tutor for the STEM tutoring program at his college.
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Michael Skinner
2015 M I N N E S O TA T E K N E AWA R D S
Jason is a full-time student at the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and an
Emergency Medical Technician for Allina Health EMS. He will receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry
in May of 2017. He was awarded the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) S-STEM scholarship during his time spent at
MCTC for two years before transferring to CBS this fall. He has also been a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a prestigious
honor society for two-year college students. During his sophomore year, he presented research on Hypoplastic Left
Heart Syndrome (HLHS) with friends and colleagues Anton Crane and Nicholas Martineau at Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
MN. He plans on applying to the University of Minnesota Medical School for their Medical Scientist Training Program
(M.D./Ph.D).