Office for Scholarship and Fellowship Advising
2026 Scholarship and Fellowship Recipients
Goldwater Scholarship
Isabella Hamner
Isabella Hamner is a second-year student majoring in Biomedical Science with a concentration in Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease and a minor in Agricultural Literacy. She works in both the Fedorka Lab, studying equine reproductive immunology, and with the AgNext Research team studying cattle production sustainability. After graduation, Isabella intends to pursue a dual DVM/PhD in immunology, with research interests in infectious disease and inflammation therapeutics. When not in the lab, she enjoys reading, riding horses, and singing karaoke.
Kylee Pham
Kylee is a second-year majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Microbiology and Infectious Disease. In tandem with her major, she is minoring in Chemistry and Bioinformatics. She found her passion for research at Rushika Perera Lab studying how lipids are affected during flavivirus infection. Her current project revolves around examining how ceramides play an antiviral role during dengue infection in human liver cells. Alongside her project, Kylee also dabbles in data analysis, specifically pathway analysis, looking at how the mosquitos' lipidome and metabolome are altered during dengue, Zika, and chikungunya virus. After graduating, Kylee hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in virology focusing on mosquito-borne infectious disease and antiviral development. Outside of the lab, she enjoys roller skating, making arts and crafts, and finding new music!
PEO Scholarship
Abigail Whittaker
Abigail Whittaker is a PhD student in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on conflicts between pastoralists and large carnivores in Tanzania, exploring the drivers of risk-tolerant attitudes and behaviors that could potentially improve coexistence in dryland herding systems across the African continent. She has previously conducted socioeconomic research in Malawi and the American West, and spent over a decade working across the environmental, agricultural, and development sectors. After graduation, she hopes to lead applied research for a nonprofit or government entity, bringing an interdisciplinary lens and emphasis on human equity to global wildlife conservation challenges.
Delaney Worthington
Delaney Worthington is a PhD Candidate in the Kelp and Mehaffy Labs in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. Her dissertation focuses on Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) where she investigates ways to empower undergraduate students to become better science communicators. To achieve this goal, she develops curriculum and tools centered on inclusive science communication practices to measure students' science communication mindsets and behaviors. Delaney's interest in education research began as an undergraduate student at CSU, where her honors thesis focused on developing a hands-on science kit, called Going Viral, for K-12 students to learn about viruses, vaccines, and the immune system. Upon graduation, she looks forward to obtaining a post-doctoral or faculty position that will support her passion for helping students learn and communicate about science.
Critical Language Scholarship
Delilah Lopez
Delilah Lopez is a graduate student in Colorado State University’s Impact MBA program with a focus on sustainability, community impact, and Indigenous leadership. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies from CSU in 2024 and is currently pursuing a Carbon Management Certificate. Delilah is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy’s Reservation in Montana and is also Mexican American. Her work centers on Tribal sovereignty, climate resilience, environmental justice, and strengthening relationships between Indigenous communities and institutions. She has contributed to research on Federal Indian Boarding Schools and currently works on ecosystem mapping to better understand nonprofit collaboration and community needs across Northern Colorado. After graduating with her Impact MBA in December 2026, Delilah hopes to continue working at the intersection of Tribal climate adaptation, sustainability, and community development. Outside of her academic and professional work, she enjoys spending time with her five children and connecting with her culture and history.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Max Goodrich
Max Goodrich is a freshly graduated student with his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. He developed a love for the international and interdisciplinary aspects of engineering through a semester in Paris and 2 years being a part of Rams Without Borders. He is continuing that passion with a summer internship at the French-American nuclear manufacturing company Framatome. After this summer he will be pursuing his Master’s in Nuclear Engineering through the SARENA program. This will have Max studying Nuclear Reactor Operations and Safety in France, Finland and Slovenia. He hopes to find a job in the nuclear industry that stretches across borders and continues to power a green future. Outside of school and work, Max enjoys cooking, baking, rock climbing, playing video games, and going to botanical gardens.
DAAD RISE Internship
Jessie Stong
Jessie Stong is a Scott Scholar and Chemical and Biological Engineering Student at the Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering. They have had the chance to work in the De Long lab gaining research skills in microorganisms and biochemical production. Through the DAAD Rise program they will expand their horizons working with plants and phytoremediation. Gaining valuable techniques, knowledge and being able to explore Europe. They hope to come back and use their knowledge to keep working on research project at CSU in the upcoming year.
Mason England
Mason England is a second-year civil engineering student, with minors in math and music. He is passionate about the preservation and understanding of the natural world, and has reflected this through his work with CSU - Testing Agricultural Performance Solutions. Under the supervision of Omer Izrael and Dr. Wubengeda Yilma, Mason studies soil-water dynamics and the applications of precision agriculture. Additionally, he plays the violin and is engaged in the CSU music department, currently playing in the symphony orchestra and various other ensembles. Mason hopes to pursue further academic opportunities after graduation and will utilize his internship with DAAD to explore research topics in urban sustainability. In his free time, Mason enjoys running, climbing, and spending time outdoors with friends.
Astronaut Scholarship
Olga Achmatowicz
Olga Achmatowicz is a fourth-year student majoring in Chemistry with the Health Sciences concentration. She works in Dr. Jeff Bandar's organic synthesis lab, investigating C-H oxidative coupling reactions enabled by base-promoted halogen transfer. For two years, she has served as the Demo Specialist and Outreach Co-Coordinator of the Chemistry Club, an American Chemical Society (ACS) student chapter, and now serves as the President, leading the expansion of equitable access to science education and experience throughout CSU and the local community. After graduating, Olga plans to pursue a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry to eventually conduct research and development of novel therapeutics in the pharmaceutical industry. In her free time, she enjoys creating art across a variety of mediums, listening to music, completing word puzzles, and training as a film buff.
Critical Language Scholarship
Abigail Whittaker
Abigail Whittaker is a PhD student in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on conflicts between pastoralists and large carnivores in Tanzania, exploring the drivers of risk-tolerant attitudes and behaviors that could potentially improve coexistence in dryland herding systems across the African continent. She has previously conducted socioeconomic research in Malawi and the American West, and spent over a decade working across the environmental, agricultural, and development sectors. After graduation, she hopes to lead applied research for a nonprofit or government entity, bringing an interdisciplinary lens and emphasis on human equity to global wildlife conservation challenges.
Boren Fellowship
Camryn Fallen
My name is Camryn Fallen and I am a senior at Colorado State pursuing a double major in Political Science and International Studies, with minors in Mandarin Chinese, History, and International Development. I am beyond grateful to the staff at CSU, particularly Professor Chuchang Chiu and Dr. Peter Harris, for aiding and supporting me in my academic journey. I currently serve as a leader of both the Model United Nations Club and Global Awareness and International Affairs club at CSU, and I volunteer at AXIS International Academy. My research interests focus on U.S.-China and Cross-Strait Relations, with a particular emphasis on economic and security dimensions. After graduation I will be attending Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, studying in both Nanjing and Baltimore to obtain a Master's degree in International Relations alongside a Certificate in Chinese American Studies. I am grateful to have been awarded the Boren for intensive language study in Taiwan and plan to use this opportunity meaningfully to develop advanced Mandarin Proficiency and regional expertise to support a career in U.S.-China policy and security analysis.
Rachel Carson National Environment Leadership Fellowship
Alexandria Pineda
Alexandria is a first-generation student in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a Concentration in Wildlife and a Minor in Diversity and Inclusion in Natural Resources. She currently serves as a peer mentor for the Warner College Residential Learning Communities. Through her project with the RCC she intends to implement a program that creates environmental opportunities for traditionally underserved communities in the Fort Collins area through classroom and outdoor activities. After graduation, she hopes to continue work of a similar manner through advocacy surrounding climate change, environmental justice, and protection of natural resources.
Ellie Lutz
Ellie is transitioning between finishing their Bachelor of Science in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology and starting their Master of Science in Ecology, both at Colorado State University. Ellie’s masters project will research how national policies, structures, and frameworks shape the implementation of international conservation governance in the case of the Grey Crowned Crane in Eastern and Southern Africa. In their time as an undergraduate, Ellie has been deeply involved within the CSU community, from departmental work to university wide efforts. Outside of Ellie’s academic and professional life, they enjoy reading, playing video games, hanging out with friends, and embracing the absurdity and humor of life.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program
Haylee Von Behren
Haylee is a senior majoring in Business Administration, with concentrations in Management, Innovation, and International Business, and a minor in German. In her role at the Office of Scholarship and Fellowship Advising, she focuses on identifying funding pathways for international students. Much of her time at CSU has been dedicated to a multi-year research project aimed at enhancing the international student experience. She has also interned for Jared Polis and worked as a project management intern for Jefferson County. After graduation, she looks forward to trading the Rockies for the Alps to pursue a graduate degree in Germany.
Finalist for the Truman Scholarship
Mark Samolej
Mark Samolej is a fourth-year student majoring in Restoration Ecology with a minor in Environmental Sociology at Colorado State University. He works with both the Restoration Ecology Lab on campus and the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, contributing to applied research on ecosystem recovery and management. As President of the CSU Society for Ecological Restoration Student Chapter, Mark leads community-based restoration projects and fosters student engagement in ecological stewardship. After graduating, he plans to pursue a graduate degree in ecological restoration, with the goal of advancing equitable and resilient restoration practices across diverse landscapes.