Meet Our Current Scholars

Jaliyah Brown, H.B. Plant High School – Tampa, FL

Major: Political Science

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“The most appealing aspects of the UF Honors Program include being surrounded by high-achieving students…In this community I know I will be encouraged and inspired to continue on my path of success with new connections and opportunities.”

Major: English

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I believe the UF Honors Scholars Program will broaden my creative range. By connecting with likeminded, curious people who are passionate about their fields, I will experience more of the world around me and be better equipped to explore new topics and tell stronger stories.”

Major: Mathematics

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“At UF I would like to continue to hike and explore my natural surroundings. Ginnie Springs and Ichetucknee Springs State Park are at the top of my list, and I also plan to join the Outdoor Adventure Recreation Club to meet others with interests similar to my own. Hiking allows me to reconnect with nature and find inner peace while being active and adventurous.”

Kaylie Johnson, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy – Melbourne, FL

Major: Microbiology and Cell Science

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

“I am particularly interested in the emphasis that is placed on research and cooperative education in both the Honors Program and within the Scholars cohort. Most of the current scholars have participated in some type of research opportunity or internship over the course of their time at UF, and some of them are only sophomores!”

Major: Environmental Engineering Sciences

Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

“What initially drew me to the Honors Program at the University of Florida was the incredibly personal connection and mentoring that you receive. One of the things that I value most in both my education and my personal life is having someone that truly understands me and can give me truly personal guidance towards my goals. In other programs, it can feel like you are just another face in the crowd, but at UF, you feel like you are truly valued as an individual.”

Ajay Pooran, Eastside High School – Gainesville, FL

Major: International Studies - Latin and Central America
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I am looking forward to the Summer Enrichment opportunities built into the Honors Scholars Program at UF because I believe that the constant exposure to a wide array of cultures and perspectives will prove invaluable to me, especially considering how important cultural fluency is to my academic interests. Having some degree of cultural fluency and knowing how to interact with different cultures is an important part in understanding the world that we live in, especially in the way that I want to understand it.”

Sanay Tüfekçi, Upper Arlington High School

Major: International Studies - Middle East

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I am really excited to get to know bright, motivated students to collaborate and have fun together.”

Sean Sheikholeslam, Shorecrest Preparatory School – St. Petersburg, FL

Major: Computer Science
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

“I am drawn to the UF Honors Program's community of disciplined and motivated individuals who share a passion for intellectual growth and discovery. The prospect of learning from my peers, who possess diverse perspectives and areas of expertise, is particularly appealing to me. I am excited at the prospect of engaging in meaningful discussions, collaborating on projects, and leveraging our collective strengths to tackle contemporary issues. Moreover, the program's emphasis on experiential learning and undergraduate research presents a unique opportunity to explore my academic interests and cultivate skills that will serve me well in my future endeavors.”

Llia Byron, The Villages Charter School - Wildwood, FL

Major: Biochemistry

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I am an avid runner and have represented my school since the seventh grade, racking up 10 State Championship appearances. I would like to continue to run for a club at UF and maybe explore other sports as well. Running has served as my way of destressing from the chaos of life. Being able to run outdoors has proven very therapeutic to me and is something that I believe will be beneficial to my mental and physical health in college.”

Aditya Gandhi, Orlando Science High School – Winter Garden, FL

Major: Computer Science

Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

“Although I have mostly focused on science and technology, my devotion to the humanities and its ability to unearth answers to problems that even science cannot capture has grown. It is the intellectual bridge that engages me in understanding the social relationships and human interactions with technology around me…UF Honors will give me a holistic education which not only values the sciences but also the humanities. I value interdisciplinary education.”

Hanley Renney, All Saints Academy – Winter Haven, FL

Major: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

“I am excited to join a community of diverse individuals who are equally driven towards success and scholarship in academia and research, just as I am. Coming from a small private school, I've been fairly limited in my interactions with like-minded people, but I feel that the Honors Program will expand the community that I am exposed to and create opportunities for collaboration with others who share my hunger for knowledge.”

Andrew Dixon, Lincoln County High School – Fayetteville, TN

Major: Finance
Heavener School of Business

“I am most excited about being surrounded by a community of students that all build each other up and support one another in our own endeavors. Finding my people and making memories that will last forever are two of my main goals while at UF.”

Major: Public Health
Public Health and Health Professions

“One of my priorities when choosing a university was access to study abroad opportunities. This scholarship will allow me to do it with people who care about learning just as much as I do.”

Major: Computer Science
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“I hope to combine what I learn through The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering’s Computer Science program with my own musical experience to discover new ways to digitally produce and manipulate sound. Outside of that, I'm also passionate about open-source software and plan to contribute back to the body of work that inspired me to pursue Computer Science in the first place. Hopefully, the research that I do through the URSP can help to achieve that goal.”

Vincent Lam, Olympic Heights Community High School – Boca Raton, FL

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

“I intend to participate in the research of educational systems and methods in order to utilize education as a means to combat the inequality of opportunity for the impoverished and underprivileged. My passion for optimization in engineering translates to my aspiration of making quality education more feasible and accessible to those less privileged.”

Major: Political Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I thrive outside of my comfort zone when it comes to my education. Being a part of both the UF Honors Program and the John V. Lombardi Program gives me the opportunity to engage in academically rigorous courses, while being surrounded by other highly motivated students who will push me to strive for more and maximize my education. The “small school” feel at such a large institution offers me experiences that will allow me to develop skills to distinguish myself in the professional world.”

Owen McCool, Edmond Memorial High School – Edmond, OK

Major: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Agricultural and Life Sciences

“I plan to conduct research in the field of wildlife ecology and conservation. I am passionate about herpetology and have a specific interest in protecting species affected by human development. I enjoy being outside and am eager to participate in field work in the UF in Merida study abroad program.”

Jaïm Steele, MAST Academy – Miami, FL

Major: Exploring Social and Behavioral Sciences

Liberal Arts and Sciences

“The community of people was one of the biggest draws for this scholarship program. When I was interviewing for the John V. Lombardi Scholarship, I found a community of some of the most humble, intelligent, and all-around fascinating people I have ever met. The prospect of living and learning with those same people, and people like them is so exciting it is hard to put into words”

Primrose Tanachaiwiwat , Boca Raton Community High School – Boca Raton, FL

Major: Biology
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“I love to paint and am excited to continue my artistic endeavors at UF. Working on my portfolio this year for AP Drawing has shown me how clarifying and cathartic artistic expression can be.”

Kate Bass, Vanguard High School – Ocala, FL

Major: Biology
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“The tight-knit community is the most appealing aspect of the UF Stamps Scholars Program. I will have a group of diverse and interesting individuals, each pursuing their own goals, as a close group of colleagues and friends to take on the world with. I am absolutely thrilled to meet and work with all of the other scholars and faculty at UF!”

Iona Brooks, Lake Mary Preparatory School – Lake Mary, FL

Major: Business Administration-General Studies
Heavener School of Business

“I really wanted a smaller community within such a large school, as well as access to more opportunities to challenge myself and go outside of my comfort zone. The UF Stamps Scholars Program exemplifies so many of my key values and goals, such as being able to expand my horizons via travel and the opportunity to engage with people of diverse perspectives, views, and experiences.”

Nishant Nagururu, Strawberry Crest High School  - Dover, FL

Major: Computer Science
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

“An activity that I currently pursue is FTC Robotics. This activity is significant for me because it exposed me to engineering and developed my love for computer science. I will definitely continue robotics in some manner at UF because I love how I can apply my ingenuity and problem-solving in programming to effect real changes in my environment through robotics. I also really enjoy teaching kids about robotics because it truly changed my life and it's thrilling to potentially open doors for others.”

KATHERINE BI-JI, PONTE VEDRA HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Finance
Heavener School of Business
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“With visions of increasing the prominence of women in politics, I served on the executive board for the international organization Women in Model United Nations as Chapter Organizer. I was active on the Varsity Swim Team and was also my school’s first female wrestler.”

SARAH LEEBRICK, RUTHERFORD HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Exploring Social & Behavioral Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I made history as one of the first youth delegates to vote at our diocesan convention. I’ve conducted research concerning Roman sexual ethics, the mathematics of artistic canons, film renditions of Ovid’s Pygmalion and more.” 

JORDAN LINDSEY, NORTH FORT MYERS HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Political Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I’m invested in the wellbeing and happenings of my community. My goal is to start an organization to provide fair legal representation for the impoverished and to serve in government, fighting on the behalf of ordinary working Americans.”

BLAIRE MORASKI, GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Sustainability Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“My passion for human rights and international relations began when I lived through the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution in Kyiv, Ukraine. In summer 2019, I traveled to Finland on a Rotary exchange, and during the fall, I hosted a German exchange student through the German-American Partnership Program.”

AUSTIN STEIN, NORTH BROWARD PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Major: Data Science
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

RADHIKA SUBRAMANIAN, DR. PHILLIPS HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Finance
Heavener School of Business
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“I am very passionate about the issue of inequity as it pertains to education and its consequent economic outcomes, especially for women and minorities. This was my impetus for getting involved with GirlsGotSTEAM, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that focuses on empowering girls and underprivileged youth to enhance interest in STEAM fields.”

IZABELA ZMIRSKA, ALLEN D. NEASE HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Biological Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“Born and raised in Florida, my love for the outdoors influences every action that I take. Fascinated by algae, my self-directed research on diatoms and my epiphyton research through the Young Scholars Program encouraged me to merge biology with engineering in hopes of tackling the climate crisis.”

AMMIR THOMAS, UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Economics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

“I have served in various leadership roles from team captain of my high school varsity basketball team (when we won the District Championship Title) to student leader within high school groups like CRU and Black Leaders of Tomorrow. I plan to pursue a PhD in Economics and hope to own a brokerage firm.”

PHUC "DYLAN" PHAN, TIMBER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Nursing, College of Nursing

“I hope to utilize my experience and story to dismantle communication barriers among healthcare workers and patients who are culturally divergent—especially those who identify as members of the LGBTQ community, and Vietnamese immigrants.”

KATHLEEN "KATE" RUSH, ARCHBISHOP HANNAN HIGH SCHOOL

Major: Physics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

“I have always been deeply fascinated with the most fundamental questions about our universe, so I intend to double major in physics and philosophy at UF. I also enjoy outdoor adventures of all kinds—I scuba dive, run cross country, and have even solo-flown a Cessna-172 through the Civil Air Patrol.”

Graham Linehan

Cardinal Mooney High School

“I have been an intern at Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine biology research institute, for the past four years and have conducted research in the spotted eagle ray and crustacean departments alongside senior biologists. Additionally, I volunteer in a local middle school helping kids learn English and Spanish.”

Arman Mahmood

William T. McFatter Technical High School

“The culturally diverse locale of Ft. Lauderdale exposed me to the importance of diversity and inclusion as the key to success; a breadth of ideas and perspectives contributes to a continually improving system. I plan to attend medical school to become a physician and work in the field of global health, a vocation that I find to have the most noticeable and widespread impact on the well-being of humanity.”

Shreya Mathur

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School

Serra Sowers

Seminole High School

“Combining my commitment to the arts and passion for developing others, I founded Seminole’s Got Talent: a club showcasing student performers in a judgment-free program to build confidence and raise money for arts scholarships. Off-campus, I volunteer with the Marine Discovery Center as a camp counselor and with the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts as a Teen Ambassador.”

Madigan Wilford

Braden River High School

“I am the president and founder of Students Stand Up, a club dedicated to nonpartisan political education and the development of skills such as public speaking, research, and debating. Most recently, Students Stand Up organized a Ballot Breakdown for the Florida presidential primary election.”

Mia Bieringer

Viera High School

“Originally from Yeonggwang, South Korea, I moved to the United States at the age of nine. Throughout high school, I performed regularly with the chamber music program “Quartet Movement,” Brevard All-County Orchestras, and the Space Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra, where I sit as principal second violinist and concertmaster.”

Sophia De La Cruz

Harrison School for the Arts

“I founded Girls Here and There, an international literacy and empowerment mentorship program for girls. After pitching my idea at the Youth Impact Forum in New York City, I formed partnerships in Zimbabwe and Dominican Republic. I’ve participated in the 2019 National Security Language Initiative for Youth Russian program, joined Sister Cities and was invited to participate in a Bulgarian exchange.”

Alan Halaly

Deerfield Beach High School

“I am on the executive board of a youth-led and South Florida-based organization called The Safe Sex Project. It was created by a group of my peers and is centered around advocating for comprehensive and inclusive sex education in schools, hosting large-scale panel events at universities throughout South Florida as well as creating online programming about sexual health via social media.”

Sihini Atalugama

Land O’ Lakes High

“Bright Light is my nonprofit organization that connects impoverished students in Sri Lanka to sponsors so they may stay in school, rather than enter child marriages or the workforce to support their families. Despite the technical struggles of facilitating communication between people in the US and Sri Lanka, I have kept in contact with the students and their sponsors and provided student letters/reports.” 

Kylie Fernandez

Pembroke Pines Charter High School

“As the Captain of my school’s Speech and Debate Team, I regularly hold practices for our novice members and judge at after school tournaments. I recently qualified for and competed in the Florida State Debate Tournament and have also begun extending our team to the middle and elementary schools in the area.”

Mateusz Plaza

Palm Harbor University High School

“Born in Poland, I started school in the United States speaking no English. Today, I’m an IB student and some days I spend more time at the robotics club than in class. I’ve been a head programmer four times, a team captain as an underclassman, a 3-time world championship qualifier, and winner of the 2019 FIRST Tech Challenge world championship.”