Stephanie Gorczyca Chosen for Prestigious Undergraduate Research Program

2014 May 27

Stephanie Gorczyca, a University of San Diego student from Las Vegas, has been awarded the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Beckman Scholars Award.

A sophomore majoring in biochemistry , Gorczyca will receive a $26,000 award to engage in research and mentoring activities for one academic year and two summers starting Summer 2014.

"The Beckman Scholars Program provides support to exceptionally talented students to conduct a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor," said Professor Debbie Tahmassebi, Special Assistant to the Provost at USD. "The program provides excellent preparation for graduate level research by supporting their attendance at special seminars and conferences to present their research."

USD was one of 12 colleges and universities selected to receive a 2014 Beckman Scholars Program Award by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. The award was based on a commitment to quality undergraduate research as evidenced by research support received from funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Under the program, USD will receive $130,000 to support a total of five Beckman scholars over the next three years.

"We are honored to be chosen," Tahmassebi said. "This award is a reflection of USD's strong commitment to undergraduate research and the outstanding caliber of our faculty and students. Students will be doing cutting-edge research in the fields of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics and marine and environmental science."

Beckman Scholars will also be part of USD Summer Scholars, a large community of summer undergraduate research students at USD supported by Sonia Zarate, Director of Undergraduate Research. "In addition to fostering the Beckman Scholars' critical and creative thinking skills through research, participation in the summer program's professional development workshops and networking events will prepare them for their application to, interview for and success in graduate school," stated Dr. Zarate.

Gorzyca's faculty mentor is Rae Anderson, Assistant Professor of Physics. Dr. Anderson leads a productive research program centered on single-molecule biophysics. She recently received a $576,000 Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation, their most prestigious award in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research and excellent education.

Gorzyca will pursue research on a project titled "Investigating the Effects of Crowding on DNA Diffusion and Confirmation Using Single Molecule Methods." She will also travel to the Annual Beckman Symposium, held each summer in Irvine, Calif., to present her research to a group of Beckman scholars, mentors, scientists and administrators.

Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, founder-chairman emeritus of Beckman Instruments, Inc., is considered one of the top five inventors of scientific instruments. Known for both his love of science and personal integrity, his inventions saved countless lives around the world. In recognition, he was awarded the National Medal of Science, National Medal of Technology and the Presidential Citizens Medal.

Dr. Beckman once said, "There is no satisfactory substitute for excellence." More than just words, this philosophy guided his life and helped shape scientific history. Dr. Beckman's commitment to science and spirit of invention lives on in the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. To date the foundation that carries his name has contributed over $650 million to support basic scientific research in the fields of chemistry and the life sciences.

The University of San Diego (USD) is a Catholic institution of higher learning committed to teaching, the liberal arts, the formation of values and the creation of ethical leaders. Chartered in 1949, the school enrolls approximately 8,300 undergraduate and graduate full-time equivalent students. USD has a long history of public service and was recently recognized as a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka, the global association of the world's leading social entrepreneurs. The university's eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the schools of Business Administration, Engineering, Law, Leadership and Education Sciences, Nursing and Health Sciences, Peace and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education.