2022 Scholars

Alvin Philip

Mentor: Bernard Fongang, PhD

LEE STEM Academy

Alvin is the current secretary of his Mu Alpha Theta chapter and volunteers at the San Antonio Food Bank, SAINA, and Habitat for Humanity. Alvin enjoys playing tennis and the violin. He is a Philharmonic Regional violinist and All State Soloist. He hopes to be a neurosurgeon in the future.

Amely Chaj

Mentor: Bernard Fongang, PhD

Stevens High School

Amely is the valedictorian of her class and serves as a   member of the executive counseling committee, the Student Advisory Council (SAC), Student Council, Rays Program (Research Awareness Young Scholars) and the Academic decathlon team. She volunteers at her church, as well as at the San Antonio Food Bank. Amely has a passion for computer science and research in Alzheimer’s and genetics. Her career goal is to become a research scientist. .

Audrie Torres

Mentor: Pratap Kumar, PhD

CAST Med High School

Audrie is involved with Girls Inc, Girl Scouts, Student of Service, and Girl summit. She is the class President and a student ambassador for CAST Med. Audrie is also a member of her school’s mariachi group.

Chase Miller

Mentor: Georgianna Gould, PhD

International School of the Americas

Chase is an active member of the Paint It Red club, an activist club that distributes free feminine hygiene products. She is also a member of the Interact club and her school’s swim team. Chase also participates in league swim and is a member of the National Charity League. Additionally, she is in the National Spanish Honors Society and a member of Mu Alpha Theta.

Gabriella Gonzalez

Mentor: Tae Joon Moon, PhD

Wagner High School

Gabriella is enrolled in the STEM program at her high school. She plays the oboe and synth in Marching Band/Wind Ensemble and has made it to All-Region and Area Band. She is a part of her school’s State Champions Colorguard team and is a volunteer at her church. Gabriella is a member of the National Junior Honors Society, and she has participated in Spelling UIL. She enjoys music, literature, and science.

Jessica Malakhova

Mentor: Kyumin Whang, PhD

Health Careers High School

Jessica is JV tennis team member and is a masterful piano player, having competed in the Charleston International Piano Competition. Jessica has participated in the orchestral UIL competition and recently won a gold medal for her outstanding performance on the piano. She is also a member of the Varsity vocal ensemble and was a member of the TMEA All-Region choir for 2021-2022. She earned the 2022 TMEA Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Musicianship, Scholarship, and Citizenship and has participated in the Duke TIP program, earning the State and Grand Recognition Awards. She often volunteers at her local church as a music minister.

Jesus Lopez

Mentor: Derek Rodriguez

CAST Med High School

Jesus is the Vice President of his class and is a member of the community service club and the garden club. Additionally, Jesus is a school ambassador, assisting perspective CAST Med students to learn about the school.

 

John Wells

Mentor: Hye Young Lee, PhD

BASIS- Shavano

John is the elected high school representative for Cyber Patriots, earning the gold division recognition in a recent state competition. In his free time, John enjoys playing video games.

Jordan Svatek

Mentor: Robert Svatek, MD

Brandeis High School

Jordan is a member of the Junior National Honor Society and is on the Varsity swim team. She also is a part of the water polo team, the track team and the cross-country team. She participates in club swim leagues. She considers herself a student athlete and is consistently on the honor roll at her school.

Julia Kazunas

Mentor: Senlin Li, MD

Reagan High School

Julia is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Unity Club and Latin Club at school.  She competes in the Latin Literature category and in health occupational with her HOSA chapter. Julia is also a member of her school’s JV Track and Field team and the Cross-Country team.

Kelsey Hernandez

Mentor: Kevin Bieniek, PhD

Boerne High School

Kelsey competes on the varsity soccer and track team.  She is involved in her school’s HOSA club, as well as in the Spanish club.  Kelsey volunteers at the Hill Country Daily Bread and at the Charming Pet Rescue.

Luis Miranda

Mentor: Senlin Li, MD

International School of the Americas

Luis speaks fluent English and Spanish and is currently learning Mandarin Chinese. He is a member of the Science National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, and the International Thespian Society. He is the Vice President of his school’s Chinese Culture Club and is a thespian, performing in local theater companies. Luis has competed and ranked top 5 in the Academic UIL and TAME competitions. He also is a graduate of the Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites Astronomy program at UTSA. Luis is a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award – Gold Level and the NEISD Student Recognition of Service Award – Gold Level.

Luke Cyrus

Mentor: Senlin Li, MD

BASIS-Shavano

Luke is a member of his school’s debate team and has competed at the national level, as well as in the local Science Bowl. He is also a member of the national Junior Honor Society. Luke serves as an advocate and writer for FARE (food allergy research and education) program.  Luke is a member of a strings orchestra ensemble and a member of a volunteer choir, where he enjoys singing at local nursing homes. Additionally, Luke competes in the National Bible Bee.

Lyla Arnold

Mentor: Georgianna Gould, PhD

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Lyla participates in the Audubon’s Conservation Leaders Program for Young Women and the Interact/Rotary Community Service club. Lyla is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Urban Champions Academy, and the Science National Honor Society. Lyla has competed and placed at the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair, as well as the Texas Science Engineering Fair.

Madilyn Del Angel

Mentor: Fozia Ali, MD

Wagner High School

Madilyn Del Angel is a student in the TSTEM program. She is an athletic trainer, a member of NJHS, and a member of the Cross Country and Soccer teams. She is part of the SheCodeConnect Club and the Chess club, and she participates in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She volunteers in local STEM events with Girls Inc. and serves as a tutor for students with special needs.

Martha Chavez-Lua

Mentor: Egle Prewit, MD, PhD

Young Women’s Leadership Academy

Martha is a part of multiple honor societies including the National Honor Society, the National Hispanic Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. She has attended the German and American Sister Cities Youth Forum as a student advocate. Martha is also a competitive swimmer and practices martial arts. Martha volunteers at the Food Bank, Red Cross and is part of the Book Buddies program.  She also enjoys photography.

Pablo (Adrian) Garcia-Tovar

Mentor: Danet Bluhm, PhD, RN, MSCI, FAAN

Atonement Academy

Adrian plays on the varsity soccer team the upper school cross country team. He is an active member of the school’s National Honor Society, the St. Gianna Molla Pro-Life Club, and the Grade Leadership Program. Additionally, he has participated in the Pre-freshman Engineering Program (PREP). Adrian has received the Atonement Catholic Academy’s Gold Arrow Award and is currently competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition. He hopes to pursue a career as an ophthalmologist.

Quentin Moyer

Mentor: Hye Young Lee, PhD

International School of the Americas

Quentin is a member of the varsity track team, specializing in the high jump and hurdles. She is a goalkeeper for both the Legacy of Educational Excellence varsity soccer team and her club soccer team. She serves a board member in the Class of 2025 Ticktockers National Charity League Stone Oak Chapter and volunteers with her school’s Interact club. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Press Corps at the Model United Nations San Antonio conference.

Rachelle Barrera

Mentor: Panneerdoss Subbarayalu, PhD

LEE STEM Academy

Rachelle is involved in Model UN, Mu Alpha Theta, and Volleyball. Outside of school, she plays club volleyball and serves her community by participating in service activities with the Assistance League of San Antonio. A favorite service project included decorating hats for cancer patients. Rachelle aspires to either be an orthopedic surgeon or an oncology researcher.

Rashmi Basu

Mentor: Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli, PhD

Keystone School

Rashmi is an avid participant in the annual Alamo Regional Science Fair and the Junior Academy of Science. She also participates in her school’s debate and medical clubs. Rashmi has a passion for community service and is part of the Mayor’s SA Smart competition. Additionally, she volunteers at various local organizations such as the Animal Defense League and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crochet, yoga, dancing, and meditation.

Sindhu Atluri

Mentor: Pratap Kumar, PhD

Keystone School

Sindhu’s school-based research focused on the reuse of masks and potential side effects resulting from this practice. Currently, she is researching the impact of natural antioxidants as a complementary treatment to traditional medicines on COVID patients. Sindhu enjoys social work and volunteering. She part of PURE (People for Urban and Rural Education) initiative and is an avid Indian Classical Dancer.

Tanisha Arya

Mentor: Panneerdoss Subbarayalu, PhD

Reagan High School

During a recent internship, Tanisha coordinated traveling nurses’ patient load. She currently serves as the secretary of the UNICEF club in her school. Tanisha has always held an interest in volunteering and working in the medical field. Additionally, Tanisha has many other interests; she has had 1 year of ballet experience, 7 years of Indian classical dance experience, and loves learning new things like languages. In the future, Tanisha aspires to become a surgical oncologist.

Victoria Rangel

Mentor: Adrienne Lindsey, MA, DBH

John Jay Science and Engineering Academy

Victoria is her class Vice President and is a member of the Academic Research Team, School Advisory Board, Student Council and the Drama Club. She is also member of her school’s basketball and soccer teams.

Zachary Hardeman

Mentor: Fassil Mesfin, MD, PhD

Cornerstone Christian Academy

Zach served as the freshman class President and was the Secretary of the National Junior Honor Society. He is also a student ambassador and serves as a tour guide for perspective students and visitors at his campus. He is also a teaching assistant and a geometry tutor. Zach competes on a club swim team and the varsity Cross Country team. Additionally, Zach is a crew leader at Vacation Bible School, volunteers at the San Antonio Food Bank and is a SASO (Student Athletes Serving Others) Member.