UTD Scholars

Meet some of the students who have been helped over the years by UT Dallas scholarships. Contact us to learn how you can help make a difference in the lives of our students.

Yanan Wu
Geography & Geospatial Science
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

My PhD research investigates transportation, hydrology, traffic accidents, and emergency dispatches. With the support of the Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholarship, I won second place at the Southwestern Division of the Association of American Geographers conference and garnered recognition from the audience for my paper “Understanding the role of geographical environments in emergency dispatch”.

Junaid Shah Shabir
School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

The scholarship facilitated my participation in presenting my research on a Kashmiri-American poet to scholars specializing in South Asian literature at the Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA) conference in Boston. This platform not only enabled me to engage with fellow academics but also provided an opportunity to establish connections with key figures, including an editor from a prominent academic publishing house. Subsequently, I was extended an invitation to collaborate on a book project, demonstrating the significant impact of the scholarship on my academic trajectory.

Ruchita Kumar
Biomedical Engineering
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Attending conferences as a graduate student broadened my knowledge about my area of research and gave me the confidence to present my findings in the scientific community. I am eternally grateful for the Betty Gifford and Johnson award for giving me the opportunity for a poster presentation at the Biomedical Engineering Conference.

Giuseppe Peressotti
Social Data Analytics & Research
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Networking, detailed feedback, and research-oriented brainstorming are crucial for academic success, fundamentally embodying the essence of conferences: this is what graduate students actually get by attending events such as the ISA convention in San Francisco through the Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholarship.

Hamida Khatri
Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Securing a spot among the top 12 student researchers at CHI2024 is an honor I deeply cherish. I am immensely thankful for the Betty & Gifford Johnson Travel Award, which has enabled me to travel to Hawaii and present my project on utilizing virtual reality therapy for victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

Chango Lee
Geography & Geospatial Science
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Thanks to the award, I’ve been able to showcase my accomplishments in location problems by pinpointing ideal locations that efficiently fulfill demand and supply needs. I pledge to reciprocate by assisting future UTD students, appreciating your commitment to student support.

Soumya Thomas
Biomedical Engineering
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

This scholarship funded my trip to Neuroscience 2023, a conference where I presented our research on the interaction between estrogen and the spinal cord. There, I met and collaborated with researchers from all around the world.

Kaushik Muthukrishnan
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

Thanks to the Patti Henry Pinch Scholarship, I was able to present my work in spintronic computing at an international magnetics conference! I got to network with scholars and professionals alike, giving me an international perspective to academia. My experiences at this conference were invaluable, and my research career has been positively transformed as a result. I am grateful to all the donors whose contributions granted me this exciting opportunity.

Alyssa Chiev
Biology
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

The Patti Henry Scholarship allowed me to attend my first scientific conference and present my research. It was an amazing experience and one not possible without the scholarship.

Maruf Rahman
Arts, Humanities & Technology
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the invaluable support provided through the Betty & Gifford Johnson Travel Award, which has significantly facilitated my attendance at the 4S (Society for Social Studies of Science) conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.

As a second-year Ph.D. student in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication, this conference presents a unique opportunity for me to present my paper, titled “Marginalization: Inaccessible Humanitarian Technological Tools and Biometric Registration in Rohingya Refugee Camps.” The panel, “Surveillance, Privacy, and Policing: Emerging Dynamics of Digital Citizenship,” addresses critical issues in surveillance studies and disability studies, aligning with the interdisciplinary nature of my current research. The Betty & Gifford Johnson Travel Award has played a pivotal role in making my participation in this conference possible, allowing me to engage in lively discussions with a diverse network of STS scholars and professionals in the fields of surveillance and disability studies. This experience will undoubtedly contribute to the enrichment of my research and broaden my perspectives.

As an international student, the financial support provided by the Betty & Gifford Johnson Travel Award has been particularly beneficial. Navigating the challenges of attending conferences abroad can be daunting, and the scholarship has eased the burden, enabling me to focus on the academic and networking opportunities. presented at the 4S conference.

Thank you very much.

Sneha Kumari
Chemistry
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

The Betty & Gifford Johnson Travel Award gave me the opportunity to present my work at the Material Research Society Fall 2023 conference. It was surreal to give a talk in front of many luminaries from my field, whose papers I had been reading since my first year.

Yalin Yang
Geography & Geospatial Science
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Attending the SWAAG annual meeting in Laredo enriched my research on human-environment interactions, fostering invaluable insights and pivotal networking opportunities in geography and GI Science.

Alexandra Arteaga
Biomedical Engineering
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

My current research focuses on creating coatings that can make orthopedic implants more successful in diabetic environments. I’ve tested both the biocompatibility and fracture healing potential of my coating. In presenting my research findings at international conferences, I have been able to network with various professionals, including orthopedic surgeons, professors, and potential employers from around the world!

Arkadeep Mitra
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Getting exposed to a wide array of topics ranging from mRNA [Messenger Ribonucleic Acid] vaccines to Micromechanical Systems in Quantum Limit from the world’s leading scientists by attending a flagship conference in the field of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems was an enlightening experience.

Hanghang Wang
Chemistry
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

With the wonderful opportunity offered by the Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholarship, I shared my research “functional polycaprolactones for drug delivery applications” in the Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research Symposium during the ACS [American Chemical Society] Spring 2022 in San Diego. Thank you for this great opportunity.

Stephanie Oliver
Arts Humanities & Technology
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Attending the 2022 Console-ing Passion conference allowed me to meet with other scholars with similar research interests. At the conference, these scholars provided incisive and invaluable feedback on my ongoing work on TV and feminism.

Amrita Telidevara
Cognitive Science and Psychology
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

My current research focuses on analyzing the potential implications that cross-cultural differences in causal attribution style have on parole decisions. Eventually, I aspire to pursue a career in psychology research, and I was hoping to take my first step in this direction by attending and presenting this research at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP [Society for Personality and Social Psychology] ) Advances in Cultural Psychology Preconference. It is with your support that I will soon be able to bring this goal to fruition. At the event, I will have the opportunity to learn from leading researchers in the field and strengthen my skills, helping me prepare for graduate school and beyond. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for your generosity!

Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar
Bioengineering
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

The World Biomaterials Congress was one of the milestones of my academic life and has helped me be a better presenter to scientific and professional audiences. I hope I will better people’s lives through my research. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Laurence Lamont Wensel
Holocaust Studies
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I was able to attend an International Academic Conference online through the London Centre for Interdisciplinary Research. After the conference, a staff member emailed asking if I would work with an editor and contribute to an upcoming collection of academic writings. In the summer of 2021, I was notified that my article had been accepted and published in the collection: “In Lieu of Duration: Spatiotemporal Excursions in Literature, Film and Architecture.”

Irene Hau
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

I never thought I could pursue research. However, with the scholarship, I proudly presented research on the “Gain of Function Cytolysin Variant in Clinically Isolated Urinary Enterococcus faecalis,” furthering my career in microbiology and women’s health.

Syeda Nadia Hasan
School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Attending the 78^th SMLA [South-Central Modern Language Associate] annual conference was an exciting opportunity for me to share ideas about the area I feel most passionate about. I presented a paper that explores the connection between new materialism and literary criticism. This paper forms a significant part of my doctoral work which investigates what it means to be human in today’s world.

Lee, Yeuh-Jung
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

As an international student at UTD, the Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholarship offers me opportunities to pitch my ideas worldwide. My research in smart tech is pushed forward into all academic communities.

Matthew Vazquez
Business Administration
Academic Bridge Scholar

From tutoring to mentoring, housing, employment and financial assistance; I was given a second family through ABP [Academic Bridge Program] . I was an underprivileged first-generation, DISD [Dallas Independent School District] graduate with zero guidance. Today, I have completed two under-graduate degrees and will be completing two masters next semester.

Mohammed Rashid
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Since Fall 2018, I have presented my scholarly and artistic works in at least 15 national and international conferences including SCMS [Society For Cinema and Media Studies] , NAMLE [National Association for Media Literacy Education] , and HASTAC [Humanities, Arts, Science and Technology Advanced Collaboratory] , some of the best conferences in their disciplines. Proactive participation in critical conversations that emanate from these sites of knowledge production and interplay is absolutely crucial for an emerging scholar.

Chukwuemeka Ikebude
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I used my scholarship to attend the Community Standards for 3D Data Preservation conference at Washington University in St. Louis, where I was a panelist. I appreciate your promotion of scholarship.

Esha Gauba
Molecular & Cell Biology
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

As a new scientist in this field, this scholarship allowed me to present my latest research on mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease at a conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

Junpeng Hou
Physics
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I really appreciate the donors’ kindness. It means a lot for a starting Ph.D. student like me to present my work, discuss it with others and make connections.

During discussions with my collaborators, we got some ideas toward a class of novel devices which would significantly enhance our control on quantum circuits and spintronics.

Kerry Goldman
History of Ideas
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

One of the best things about the graduate programs at UT Dallas is the amount of opportunity for students who are preparing to enter the world of professional academia.

Mingwen Yang
Management Science
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I presented a paper at the Big XII+ MIS [Management Information Systems] Research Symposium and the feedback I got brought my research into better focus and helped to make it much more practical.

Monica Gonzalez
Biochemistry
Academic Bridge Scholar

I’m grateful, honored, and humbled to be a recipient of this life-changing scholarship. My goal is to become the first female STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] graduate in my family.

Siobhan Carmody
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

This scholarship has eased some of my family’s burdens and allowed me to pursue academic opportunities. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Stephen Mallory
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

What I like best about being a graduate student at UT Dallas is the eclectic, passionate and unique culture in the University.

Venisha Harmon
Historical Studies
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

My mother and father did not have a secondary education. Obtaining a college degree has always been my dream. I am planning to go to law school.

Vrunda Agnihotri
Interdisciplinary Studies
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

In the future, I want to come back and contribute to this fund to help other struggling students, similar to how kind people have helped me.

Capri Jordan
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Academic Bridge Scholar

A huge way the Academic Bridge Program has helped me is through tutoring. It is great to go to a place where there are so many people who want you to succeed.

Kwang Soo Kim
Economic, Political & Policy Sciences
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I really appreciate your contribution for this scholarship. Thanks to you, I could focus on my research and preparation for my presentation at a conference in Seoul, South Korea.

Yulia Vorotyntseva
Management
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Johnson family for establishing this scholarship. It helped me to promote my research by attending the Decision Sciences Institute annual conference at Washington, DC.

Yoshio Villareal
Criminology & Psychology
Academic Bridge Scholar

The Academic Bridge Program gave me the opportunity to receive an undergraduate education. Words cannot express how thankful I am for being able to accomplish my childhood dream. I was awarded free tuition, housing and books. Without this help I would not be able to graduate.

Wenwen Huo
Microbiology / Computational Biology
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I attended the American Society of Microbiology annual meeting, one of the most popular conferences in our field. I was selected to give a presentation, which allowed me to share my research and ideas with thousands of colleagues on how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. This scholarship covered the cost of registration and transportation to Boston, where, one day, I hope to obtain an academic position.

Shirley Ochieng
Child Learning & Development
Academic Bridge Scholar

The Academic Bridge Program has helped me in so many ways, and the Bridge family is so supportive and caring. I’ve received tutoring, financial help and information on internship and job opportunities. This scholarship has taken away the worries I’ve had about tuition so I can focus on my education.

Sarah Valente
Holocaust Studies
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I’m grateful, honored and humbled for being the recipient of funds that have been life-changing. I went to Lessons and Legacies, a prestigious Holocaust conference in California. Leading scholars gathered to discuss “Holocaust in the 21^st Century: Relevance and Challenges in the Digital Age,” where I presented my paper, “New Approaches to Holocaust Education in Brazil,” received feedback on my research and made important contacts for my future.

Michael Schraeder
Theatre & Performance Arts
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

This scholarship helped me present a paper I’d written at the Film and History Association’s conference in Milwaukee. I am very appreciative for the assistance and honored to be selected. It allowed me the opportunity to reacquaint myself with colleagues and network and exchange ideas with others in my field of study.

Michael Neugent
Biological Sciences
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I am incredibly fortunate and thankful to have received these funds. The award has allowed me to attend and present at the Keystone Symposia on Tumor Metabolism in Whistler B.C., Canada. I met with colleagues and attended lectures on new and exciting developments in the field. We are focused on targeting and disrupting the metabolic needs of lung cancers.

DeAunna McDonald
Mechanical Engineering
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

I applied for this scholarship because I was going through a particularly difficult time financially, and I realized that I could not fund my own education alone. This scholarship has helped me to focus on my classes and do whatever I can to advance academically without having to worry about whether I can afford to take more credit hours or purchase required materials for my studies.

Chenxi Liao
Marketing
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

I really appreciate your kindness and generosity. You helped me get the precious opportunity of presenting my paper at the 38^th annual ISMS [Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences - Society for Marketing Science] Marketing Science Conference and networking with academic leaders in our field. It greatly benefits my research and motivates me to do more.

Mamadou Diallo
Electrical Engineering
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

This scholarship has been a tremendous help in advancing my academic success. I am extremely humbled and grateful for this generous contribution to my education. It’s encouraging to know there are people out there supporting the efforts of UT Dallas students.

Jaruby Oaxaca
Chemistry
Academic Bridge Scholar

This scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies rather than my finances. The help I have received has been truly life-changing, and I hope to be able to give back in this way in the future.

Joseph Beshay
Computer Science
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

This scholarship allowed me to present my research paper at an engineering conference and network with academic and industry leaders in my field. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and investing in my future.

Nina Alton
Psychology, Child Learning & Development
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

This scholarship has allowed me to concentrate on my studies and take advantage of the amazing opportunities UT Dallas offers its students. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude.

Hailemeskel Amare Lakew
Computer Science
Academic Bridge Scholar

The Academic Bridge Program has enabled me to become entirely immersed into the college atmosphere and lifestyle, from being active in campus organizations to making connections for the future. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to go to college and pursue my dreams.

Ashley Ellsworth
Chemistry
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

Thanks to this scholarship I was able to travel to a scientific conference to receive feedback on my current research findings, gain insight into new ideas that will help facilitate my research efforts, network with various companies and establish potential career opportunities. The experience was incredibly valuable.

Jun Hyeon Yoo
Materials Science & Engineering
Betty & Gifford Johnson Graduate Scholar

This scholarship helped me present my research paper at one of the most premier and competitive conferences in miniaturized systems for life sciences. Traveling to South Korea to meet prominent researchers and exchange scholarly ideas was an amazing experience.

Megan Badejo
Healthcare Studies
Patti Henry Pinch Undergraduate Scholar

This scholarship has given me the freedom to focus on being a good student without concerns of debt. It also has allowed me to play basketball for the University, an opportunity I wouldn’t have been able to pursue without this assistance.

Damario Amie
Mechanical Engineering
Academic Bridge Scholar

Your contribution toward this scholarship is not being misused, nor underappreciated. You have impacted my life in a multitude of ways that I could not even begin to explain. Thank you so much for your kindness.

Erika Tellez
Accounting
Academic Bridge Scholar

A high school advisor let me know about all of the great opportunities that Academic Bridge had. We were able to come in the summer and basically get prepared for the college experience. They taught us how to study and helped us be prepared for the environment and the academic workload.

Darrel Dunn
Arts, Technology & Emerging Communications
Academic Bridge Scholar

My favorite part about being a student at UT Dallas is the international perspective.

Being able to be engaged with cultures from across the globe has really helped me to grow as a person.

Dulce Martinez
Phycology
Academic Bridge Scholar

I learned about the Academic Bridge Program when they visited the college center at my high school.

I went to talk to them, and I thought it was a really interesting opportunity so I applied right then and there.

I would not be here without that support.

Abenezer Daniel
International Management
Academic Bridge Scholar

My favorite part about being a UT Dallas student is the people I have met from all over the world, including my fellow Academic Bridge students.

Coming in from an inner-city high school, the Academic Bridge Program has helped me hugely.

They have helped me with financial needs, tutoring, books, housing, scholarships —pretty much everything I needed to finish out my bachelor’s degree.