2016 Scholars

Abdullah Baghdadi

Mentor: Marcos Restrepo, M.D.

Basis San Antonio Medical Center

Abdullah is a member of the NJHS and the Speech and Debate Club at his school. He has been involved with a Destination Imagination team, where students foster creativity in science, math and engineering. He volunteers with the Red Cross Club and serves on the Alamo Area Suicide Prevention Coalition Teen Advisory Board.

Alana Pickens

Mentor: Bess Frost, Ph.D.

Keystone School

Alana is a member of the Wellness Council, the Spirit Club and the French Club. She serves as a student council representative and is the Junior Yearbook Editor. She is a Circle Advisory Leader and participates in the Model UN Club. She volunteers her time as a SAT Prep Math Tutor and is also active in athletics as a part of the JV volleyball team and the varsity softball team.

Alexis Corral

Mentor: Alvaro Gerardo Moreira M.D.

Basis San Antonio Medical Center

Alexis is a member of the American Red Cross Club, the BASIS 90’s Club and the Yearbook Staff. She is active in athletic programs, serving as a member of the volleyball team, the basketball team and the softball team.

Aliha Naqvi

Mentor: Shamim Mustafa, Ph.D.

Basis San Antonio Medical Center

Aliha is member of the Red Cross Club, the Drama Club and serves as the Yearbook Editor at her school. She is a member of the volleyball team and volunteers her time at Sunday school. She enjoys babysitting younger children and also volunteers in fundraising campaigns for the San Antonio Children’s Shelter.

Emily Garcia

Mentor: Jennifer Potter Ph.D., M.P.H.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Emily is a member of NJHS and serves as the YWLA Medical Club Historian. She has consistently participated in both history and science fairs; being awarded the 2nd grand prize at the Alamo Regional Junior Academy. She volunteers her time at Haven for Hope.

Evan Berkowitch

Mentor: Darpan Patel, Ph.D.

Keystone School

Evan serves as a Student Council Representative, functioning as the organization’s marketer. He has consistently competed in Science Fair and is a member of the Academic World Quest Member, as well as serves as a Model UN Delegate. He is active in athletics and is a member of both the basketball and soccer teams.

Janelle Arnold

Mentor: Borries Demeler, Ph.D.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Janelle has been an officer in the Science Club for the past 3 years, is the freshmen class president and the NJHS vice president. She volunteers with the conservation program at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center and with Kym’s Kids. Janelle has competed and placed in the Junior Academy of Science, the State Science Fair and the History Fair. She is also in athletics, serving as both a volunteer and participant in the Central Soccer Association.

Jose Martinez

Mentor: Jennifer Potter Ph.D., M.P.H.

Edison High School

Jose has participated in the Duke TIP Talent Search Program, earning state recognition for his test scores. He considers himself a student athlete, striving for excellence in the classroom and on the field. He is the freshman soccer team captain and serves as the CSC Gerus Soccer Goal Keeper. Jose is also active in his Church community as part of the Life Teen ministry.

Julia Manso

Mentor: Ratna K. Vadlamudi, PhD.

Saint Mary’s Hall

Julia is the founder of the Young Liberals Club at her school and serves as a cabinet member. She is a member of the Speech and Debate Team, the Model UN Nations Club, the Junior Statesman of America Club, the UNICEF Club and the National Forensic League. She is also a member of NJHS, the National Hispanic Institute and the Texas and National Junior Classical Leagues. Julia has served as Science Bowl Captain and is a varsity Tennis player, as well as a student council representative.

Kevin Alvarez

Mentor: Yidong Bai, Ph.D.

Harmony Science Academy

Kevin is a member of the College Readiness and Leadership Program at his high school. He has an interest in mechanical engineering and serves as a mentor for younger students in the robotics club. He is also actively involved in the HOSA club.

Kyler Finnell

Mentor: Patrick Ramsey M.D.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Kyler is a member of NJHS and of the YWLA Medical Club. She serves as Student Council Class Representative and is also the Secretary for her class. She actively participates in Gamma Sigma and is a member of the All-Star Cheer Squad.

Lianeth Lozano

Mentor: Stacy Ryan, Ph.D.

Brennan High School

Lianeth is in the top 10% of her class and has participated in the Duke TIP Talent Search program. She especially enjoys traveling and is fluent in Spanish. She is active in athletics, serving as a member of the school tennis team.

Madison Metzger

Mentor: Charles W. Mathias Ph.D.

Keystone School

Madison is active in the Spirit club and the Spanish Club at her school. She is a member of the Model UN Club and actively participates in athletics, serving a member of the basketball, volleyball and softball teams. She volunteers her time with Respite Care and is active in the Life Teen ministry at her church.

Maria Pecha

Mentor: Marcos Restrepo, M.D.

The Atonement Academy

Maria is a member of NJHS and is actively involved with the Robotics and Engineering Club at her school. She enjoys athletics and is a member of the varsity soccer team and the cross country team, as well as serves as the track team manager. She is an accomplished pianist, having received gold medals on the SAMTA theory tests for the past 10 years and consistently earns a Superior Plus award on all of her Achievement Auditions.

Matthew Leonard

Mentor: Georgianna Gould, Ph.D.

Saint Mary’s Hall

Matthew is a member of the Model UN Club and the Science Bowl Club. He serves as a student ambassador for perspective students interested in attending his school. He is also a member of the ISAS Arts Festival Planning Committee, the Young Conservatives Club and the Junior Statesman of America Club. He is a member of the baseball team and is the 12th chair in the TMEA Region 12 Orchestra, where he plays the violin. As part of a professional jazz band, Matthew has performed at Walt Disney World.

Nicolas Garza

Mentor: Danet Lapiz Bluhm, Ph.D

Central Catholic High School

Nicolas is a Boy Scout and is part of the National Hispanic Institute. He is a member of the JROTC serving as the Guidon Bearer, platoon sergeant and platoon leader. He also participates in the Chaminade Guard Drill Team and is active in athletics. Nicolas is part of the varsity football and track teams at his school.

Nikhita Pathapati

Mentor: Georgianna Gould, Ph.D.

Health Careers High School

Nikhita is serves as the Secretary for her school’s HOSA Club and is a regional qualifier for the medical spelling competition. She is also a member of the South Asian Student Association and the Student Council. She has consistently competed in science fair and has been named the Broadcam Masters Semifinalist. Nikhita volunteers her time at local hospices and at health fairs with the TIPS Junior Volunteer program.

Ruchi Sehgal

Mentor: Donald M. Dougherty Ph.D./Dr. Tara E Karns Ph.D.

Ronald Reagan High School

Ruchi is an Indian Classical Dancer and is a member of the HOSA and French Clubs at her school. She is also active in athletics, serving as Captain of the Basketball team and as member of the volleyball team and the tennis team.

Selina Noe

Mentor: Gangadhara Reddy Sareddy, Ph.D.

Ronald Reagan High School

Selina is a member of the NJHS, as well as the Spanish JHS. She has been named as an Outstanding Student Leader, an Exemplary English and History Scholar and been recognized for her perfect attendance at school. She is actively involved in the HOSA club and is a member of the school track team.

Sieon Kim

Mentor: Nu Zhang, Ph.D.

Keystone School

Sieon is a member of the Model UN Club, the Video Club, the Spirit Club, the Spanish Club, the Literary Magazine Club and is the Junior Editor for the Yearbook. She is an Advisory Class Leader and a Student Council Representative. She is also a member of the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio and volunteers her time as a volunteer with camp CAMP.

Uma Srinivasan

Mentor: Henry R. Rawls, Ph.D.

Health Careers High School

Uma has participated in the PREP program and the UTSA Robotics program. She is an Indian Classical Dancer and serves as the treasurer of her school HOSA club. She is also a member of the Tamil School, the Latin Club and the South Asian Student Association. She has served as a member of the Philharmonic All-Region Orchestra, has won numerous awards in piano competitions and currently is on the varsity orchestra at her school.