Olivia Stovicek and Trevor Roberts have both received the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) Award. The ASF award recognizes exceptionally motivated and innovative third and fourth year undergraduate students in natural or applied science, math, or engineering.
The scholarship is funded by the Institute for Molecular Engineering (IME) together with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts intended to recognize and provide scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students of science and technology. To apply, students must have 1) two letters of nomination from University of Chicago faculty, 2) a one page (12 point type) personal statement addressing personal interests, activities, and long-term goals, and 3) a resume detailing research creativity and engagement. The campus application deadline for University of Chicago undergraduates will be in January.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday, October 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m. The keynote speaker of the ceremony will be Fred Gregory, a former NASA astronaut of over 25 years. Among many honors, he has received the Defense Superior Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, 16 Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and three NASA Space Flight Medals. He has also received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Award and the National Society of Black Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award (1979).
Olivia Stovicek
Olivia Stovicek is a third year undergraduate majoring in biochemistry and chemistry. She works as a research assistant in Professor Sean Crosson’s lab, studying regulatory proteins in Caulobacter crescentus and microbial community genetics.
After her undergraduate years, Stovicek intends to apply to PhD programs and work in research science. While she is not certain about her particular future field of interest, she comments that “more than the specific field of science, the process of science is what I find interesting.” Stovicek is also interested in working in science communications, whether that takes the form of outreach, science journalism, or books. Additionally, she is passionate about issues of gender representation in the sciences.
The monetary award is also accompanied by a robust mentorship and networking component. Stovicek speaks highly of her mentor, a Northwestern University materials scientist, who she says gives her valuable advice regarding graduate school and the lifestyle of full-time science research that she feels she might not be able to glean from working as a part-time research assistant. Stovicek commented, “It’s nice to have someone to talk to who is interested in some of the same things I am interested in and has gone through the same things I have.”
Trevor Roberts
Trevor Roberts is a fourth year undergraduate majoring in chemistry. He has been working in Professor Laurie Butler’s lab since Winter Quarter of his first year and has been a Beckman Scholar through the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. With the Butler lab, Roberts studies gas phase kinetics and dynamics, specifically the analysis of radical chemical species and their respective decomposition pathways.
In the future, Roberts hopes to apply to a PhD program in physical chemistry or chemical engineering. While he is not sure exactly what field he wants to study yet, he knows he wants his research to be involved with solving anthropogenic stresses on the environment, whether this is clean energy or studying atmospheric pollutants. He also greatly admires the mentorship component of the ASF award, remarking on the “tight-knit network and community of astronaut scholars that provides you with resources I haven’t seen otherwise.”