Graduating Honors Scholars!
It’s almost time for our annual Honors Scholars reception for the 2019 graduating Honors Scholars! Take a look at their journeys through CU and their achievements in honors in the Senior paragraphs posted below!
Janelle Chapman is graduating with a double major in MCDB and Neuroscience, with a minor in Philosophy. At CU, she was involved in the multicultural community and held several leadership positions, but the most impactful events she has hosted are the marches and lectures advocating women’s rights. After graduation, she plans on traveling to the Philippines for an internship at St. Luke’s Hospital before attending medical school at the University of the Philippines to become an OBGYN. She also defended an honors thesis that argues the ethics of inducing synesthesia to access enhanced cognitive abilities such as learning and memory.
Hannah Chatwin is graduating with a double major in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, and sociology, as well as a certificate in public health. While at CU, Hannah has worked in the lab of Ken Krauter, where she worked towards an honors thesis studying the human microbiome. In addition, she has had the opportunity to study ploidy with Robin Dowell, as well as intern at CU Anschutz studying pediatric brain cancer. In addition to research, Hannah has enjoyed coaching competitive gymnastics and volunteering at Children’s hospital of Colorado in her spare time. She has greatly enjoyed the opportunity to live in the Honors RAP freshman year and take more honors courses because of the people she has met and the lifelong friends she has made.
Kyla Foster is graduating with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Biochemistry with a certificate in Neuroscience. While at CU, Kyla has worked in a biochemistry lab under the advisement of Dr. Cech where she researched telomerase and its involvement in cancer. She was also an intern at the CU Cancer Center at Anschutz and the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Glasgow, Scotland, both at which she researched tumor immunology. In addition to being an Honors Scholar, Kyla has served as the Community Service Coordinator for the Honors Student Advisory Board since the winter of 2017. Her favorite memories from the Honors Program have been meeting lifelong friends while living in the Honors RAP her freshman year and seeing the Honors Scholars Program grow during her time on the Advisory Board.
Darby Keirns is graduating with a degree in Integrative Physiology. Outside of her studies, Darby has spent time working in a molecular neurogenetics research lab, as a nurse aide in a long-term care facility, and as the Director of Business Administration for the Residence Hall Association. Additionally, she has enjoyed her time working to promote sustainability through the Green Room team, doing various volunteering and being a teaching assistant for various courses. Darby has loved exploring the science of the human body and feels particularly passionate about healthcare. She plans to take the next year to apply to medical school.
Madison Petri is graduating with a double major in Integrative Physiology and Spanish. She worked with CU’s football team her sophomore and junior year as a student trainer where she solidified her interest in the medical field. She was a member of the Global Medical Brigades Club and attended the brigade to Nicaragua where she truly discovered her passion to work and help others. In Spring 2018 she studied abroad in Seville, Spain to increase her Spanish skills and to discover cultures outside of the US. Madison will go on to participate in research this summer at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus as well as work as a nurse assistant at Presbyterian St. Luke’s hospital while figuring out her next steps.
Teyhana Rounsavill-Myers is graduating with a B.A. in Integrative Physiology with a focus on Pre-Medicine, and has been a member of the Honors Scholars Program since her freshmen year at CU. Throughout her four years at the University of Colorado Boulder she has developed and encouraged a love for helping others, which has allowed her to recently accept a Medical Assistant position in the Orthopedics Department at Boulder Medical Center. She plans on working as an MA for two years, and then continuing her career by obtaining a Master of Physician Assistant Studies graduate degree. She wants to thank the Honors Program for giving her the opportunity to succeed, and most of all she wants to thank her mother and her husband for their unwavering love and support.
Ian Smith is graduating with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science. He started at CU as a Math major and tried EBIO, Physics, Film, Creative Writing and Philosophy before deciding on and completing a Computer Science major. He was a founding member of the Honors Writing Club (The Inklings Volume II), an editor of the Honors Journal and a member of the Honors Program Student Advisory Board where he applied his love for data (and Honors) to numerous community projects, including Honors Scholars. After graduation, he will work as a Software Developer at Amazon. Here, he hopes to move one step closer to finding out what he wants to do with his life.
Cooper Wooten is a major in the Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences department (astrophysics track) and is in CU’s Space Minor program. During his undergraduate career, Cooper has had the good fortune to work on data from two NASA orbiters (Juno at Jupiter and MAVEN at Mars) while working as a research intern at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and for Dr. Fran Bagenal at the Laboratory for Atmospheric & Space Physics (LASP). He is an Honors Scholar and in Phi Beta Kappa. Cooper will begin his PhD in Astrophysics this fall.
Josh Fader majored in Environmental Studies with Minors in Business, Sociology, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. He is honored to have been featured on the Honors scholars Blog for his study abroad experience to Australia in the spring of 2018. His favorite honors memory was taking Marriage and the Family In US Society with Dr. Allison Hatch. Dr. Hatch was an amazing professor and made for a very inclusive environment in her class regardless of Josh being one of two boys in the whole class. Overall, he is thankful for the resources the honors scholars program provided and wishes the best of luck to all of the other graduating honors scholars.
Kelsey Mullins is graduating with a B.S. in Strategic Communication, a B.A. in Media Production, and a Minor in Technology, Arts, and Media. Kelsey’s favorite spot on campus is Varsity Lake, and her favorite activities at CU included taking photos for the CU Independent and competing in the National Student Advertising Competition. Kelsey also interned at Brock USA, FulFrame, and Ancestry.com. She lived in the Honors RAP freshmen year and is grateful for her time spent in the Honors Program. Kelsey is moving to San Francisco to work as a Developer Content and Relations Specialist after graduation.