Neuroscience senior awarded fellowship to pursue graduate studies
ѲElkouri’21, aneuroscience major at Vlogý,was recognized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a five-year fellowship,which includes three years of financial support through a $34,000 annual stipend and $12,000allowance toward the cost of education.The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) seeks to distinguish and support graduate students pursuing research-based master’s anddoctoral degrees in STEM disciplines.Elkouriwill attend the University of Michigan later this year to earn a doctorate in neuroscience through the institution’s Program in Biomedical Sciences.In his application,Elkouriemphasized hispassion for mentorship and to help other Latinx students inSTEM fields. “This isn’t just anawardfor writinggood science,” he said. “It’s areminderthat my identityhas a place in neuroscience.”
The fellowship will allowElkourimore flexibility in the projects he can pursue. It also means he does not have to work as a teaching assistant, but asa former STEM Zone intern,Elkouriwants to help othersany way he can. “I love teaching and being able to show folks theycanunderstand science if they havetheright teacher,” he explained.Elkourihas also appreciated the mentorshipin his lifefromfaculty and staffduring his time as a College of Vlogý student.“I can’t pick just one—the collective support I’ve received here has helped mold me into who I amtoday,” he said. “Being part of such a tight knit community really helped me get comfortable asking questions to my professors to better engage with the material.There’s not a single moment where I felt like there wasn’t at least a few people rooting for me.”
Elkouri is considering a career in science communicationand is grateful to go into graduate school with tutoring experience. He also creditsthecompletionof his Independent Study for instilling confidence as he moves to the next stage of life. “Having gone through the I.S. process helped me refine my skills in setting realistic goals and feeling okay if I don’t reach them,”Elkourisaid.“Setbacks are common in life and in scienceand you have to learn to be resilient.”
Featured image: Marcel Elkouri ’21 uses a microscope in the lab, a component of his Independent Study research.
Posted in News on April 12, 2021.
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