Student Fellows

Fellows of the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good are selected for their potential to become outstanding civic as well as scientific leaders.

What are Parlee Center Fellows?

Fellows of the Parlee Center for Science and the Common Good are students interested in science, mathematics, or medicine and in its impact on society.. Fellows are expected to:

  • major or minor in science or mathematics or science/health policy;
  • pursue a career in science or medicine that involves them directly in the public sphere, or in science or health policy, or in explaining science to the public;
  • complete a minor in Science and the Common Good;
  • do independent research in science, mathematics, or science/health policy, and report it at a scientific conference;
  • engage in an internship that allows them to practice civic leadership at the intersection of science and society;
  • take on, while at Ursinus, a leadership role in engaging the campus community, in particular their peers, in an ongoing dialogue about science and the common good;
  • remain committed to these goals once they graduate and become Alumni Fellows.

Senior Fellows

Meet Our Fellows

  • Profile of Rebecca Keenan

    I plan on attending medical school after Ursinus to pursue a career as a physician specializing in infectious disease and public health, providing healthcare to underserved populations both in the United States and abroad.

  • Profile of Lilly McQueen

    I plan on attending graduate school after Ursinus to attain a PhD in either molecular biology or microbiology. After that I would like to work in a government research laboratory.

  • Profile of Sophia Worthington-Kirsch

    I want to pursue student teaching, followed by a PhD in Analytical Chemistry. Eventually, I want to create and spread new knowledge about chemistry and how it is intertwined with the good of humanity.

  • Profile of Noah Yeagley

    I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. My research focus will be the effects of traumatic brain injury on working memory abilities and attention. I would like to do this through neurophysiologic methods, like EEG, along with neuropsychological batteries to behaviorally assess cognitive abilities.

  • Profile of Susana (Susie) Zelaya Rivera

    I plan on taking a gap year before attending medical school, I hope to work during that year to expand my vocation on health policy and possibly get my master’s specializing in healthcare and economics. I also plan on applying to fellowships to continue my learning about the world around me and civic engagement to Latin America.

Junior Fellows

Meet Our Fellows

  • Profile of Madison Moses

    I plan to attend graduate school to study agroecology and how people can interact with their food and their environment in the most sustainable way.

  • Profile of Jake O’Neill

    After Ursinus, I plan to pursue a career in the field of data analytics. Though I am unclear if I would like to pursue grad school post-Ursinus, I would like to work on interesting, meaningful questions that come to surface with data. For a long-term perspective, I would like to help contribute to the growing problems that analytics is causing in our society.

Sophomore Fellows

Meet Our Fellows

  • Profile of Nicole Bryce

    After graduating from Ursinus College, I plan to attend medical school and attain a career in pediatric oncology. With this career, I hope to alleviate the devastating effects of childhood cancer and bring comfort those who are still battling this disease.

  • Profile of Emily Cid

    My goal is to go to medical school to become a doctor.  I am not certain on a specific section of medicine, but I anticipate having an active role in underserved communities and advocating for equalities in healthcare. 

  • Profile of Melissa Hoff

    I plan on attending medical school after Ursinus to pursue a career as a pediatric surgeon. Throughout my life I hope to be a part of the organization Doctors Without Borders to bring healthcare to those who do not have access to it in their countries. 

  • Profile of Chase Opperman

    I plan to continue with my position in the armed forces as a reservist in the military and, after that time has been served, continue to peruse my PHD in psychology. I plan to ground my work within the field of professional counseling concentrated in PTSD and other stress/anxiety related illnesses but what I do in addition to this will make itself more apparent in the future.

  • Profile of Benjamin Sallavanti

    I plan on going into medical school to learn how to become a family physician. I want to be able to give advice to others and guide them as much as I can (medically) in their life path.

  • Profile of Madeline Wert

    I plan on attending Villanova’s nursing intensive program after Ursinus to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner to transition to a healthcare administrator position. I hope that my comprehensive background as a healthcare provider and study of economics can better the interaction of trust between patients and physicians.

View Alumni Fellow Profiles

Snapshot:
Tom Holt ’17

Tom Holt explains how the health-related experiences and training he received as an Ursinus student prepared him for a career in medicine. From search and rescue ski patrol and emergency medical services on campus to graduate-level biochem research and an internship to Buenas Aires — these experiences made him a clear candidate for med school.