Scholar Names A-C

Sameer Ahmed

US University: Stanford University

A native of Leawood, Kansas, Sameer Ahmed received a bachelor's degree in international relations with honors and distinction from Stanford University. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sameer completed an honors thesis titled "Opening the Kingdom: Can Saudi Arabia Liberalize?" At Stanford, Sameer was editor in chief of The Stanford Daily, the award-winning student-run University newspaper, and officer in the Muslim Students Awareness Network. During the summer of 2002, he was a camp counselor at the Seeds of Peace International Camp for Conflict Resolution. He has also held intern positions at the U.S. State Department, the Henry L. Stimson Center, and the Center for International Security and Cooperation. Sameer is currently a Presidential Intern at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, where he is an adviser to AUC's student newspaper. In his free time, he is learning Arabic and has started a scuba diving business.

Lee Bassett

US University: Pennsylvania State University

A 2004 graduate of Penn State's Schreyer Honors College, Lee Bassett tends to dispel traditional "physicist" stereotypes. He regularly performs on the piano, organ, and tuba, and as an avid surfer he has traveled throughout the world in search of waves. While physics offers an intellectual challenge, other activities present challenges of expression and courage. Lee hopes that, as his intellectual growth helps him explain how the world works in the language of physics, his growth in other areas will keep him in touch with why it is all important. At Cambridge University, he will study quantum mechanics and quantum computation in an effort to understand how the universe works at the smallest scale and how we can best apply this knowledge to the benefit of society. Doubtless he will also find time to go surfing in Europe.

Jessica Benson

US University: Ohio University

A life-long resident of McKeesport, PA, Jessica graduated as the valedictorian of Serra Catholic High School in 1999. In June of 2004, she will leave Ohio University with a double major in Physics and Mechanical Engineering. With an ever present interest in the intersection of physics and biology, Jessica is currently completing her senior thesis work: the investigation of the electrical and mechanical properties of single molecules of chlorophyll. This research is supported by the 2003 Goldwater Scholarship and Ohio University's Provost Undergraduate Research Fund. Jessica plans to pursue a PhD at Imperial College of Science and Technology while conducting research in Organic Photovoltaics. Along with her interest in science, Jessica has also been active as a math and chemistry Supplemental Instruction Leader, a participant on OU's Speech and Debate Team, a cabinet member of Kappa Phi Service Organization, a member of the University Singers Choir, and a Russ College of Engineering Ambassador. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the violin, singing, and playing ultimate frisbee.

Ian Bonzani

US University: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

I am from West Haven, Connecticut, and currently completing a BS in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Tissue Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Last summer, I conducted T-cell research at Johns Hopkins University and this year I am working at WPI on a research project to enhance bone cell growth on collagen scaffolds. I have been a four-year starter on the WPI Basketball team, a two-year team captain, and led the league in scoring twice. I am active in many community service ventures including Hoop Dreams, a basketball and academic mentoring program, and organizations such as Tau Beta Pi, the Biomedical Engineering Society, Zeta Psi Fraternity, and Student Athletic Advisory Committee. In my spare time I like to travel, watch movies, listen to music, and unwind with friends. I will attend Imperial College of London to pursue graduate study in Tissue Engineering.

Morgan Carberry

US University: Wellesley College

Morgan Carberry will graduate from Wellesley College in 2004 as a French major and an astronomy minor, where she will be completing her studies with an honors thesis on the monologue in French theatre by performing her own one-woman show in French. A native of San Diego, CA, she has been an actress, singer, and musician for most of her life and plans to pursue these interests by completing a Master of Performance in Musical Theatre at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She currently studies classical voice and organ, and enjoys working with more than eighty children as musical director and choreographer for Open Fields, a non-profit community theater in Dover, MA.

Tracy Carson

US University: Northwestern University, Evanston

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Tracy is a senior at Northwestern University studying History and African Studies. As a Marshall Scholar, she will attend Oxford University to study South Africa's anti- apartheid movement, with an emphasis on how non-violent movements uniquely affect impoverished communities. A member of Northwestern's national championship for three years, Ms. Carson was the first African American woman to win a major debate tournament. She helps organize debate workshops for high schools in Chicago. President of Northwestern's Black Student Alliance, she recently received the 2003 Lincoln Laureate award and was given the honor of serving as the keynote speaker. In addition to her many campus leadership roles, she is the assistant program director for Reading Rays of Light, a weekly tutoring program for youth on the south side of Chicago.

David Chacko

US University: University of Southern California

David Chacko, of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, is completing a double major in biology and business administration at the University of Southern California. He has received numerous honors and awards to recognize his various campus and community service. He has served as a resident advisor, advocated for students on curricular policy, and played intercollegiate soccer. David started the Collegiate Med Volunteers Program, a Southern California hospital volunteer program with 150 volunteers from 17 universities. He will study Economic and Social History at Oxford University. As a medical doctor, he intends to address the issue of the growing number of medically uninsured individuals.