ARCS Foundation Awards 35 Scholar Awards to UC San Diego Graduate Students

Representatives of the ARCS Foundation San Diego chapter joined Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and award recipients for a special check presentation ceremony. Photo by Erika Johnson/University Communications.

As a high school student, Emily Nardoni loved the idea of asking the most fundamental scientific questions about how the universe works.  Now a third-year graduate student in physics at the University of California, San Diego, Nardoni is immersed in Quantum Field Theory, a framework used to model the particles that make up the universe and how they interact.  In recognition of her work, Nardoni is among 35 UC San Diego graduate students who have been awarded scholar awards totaling $262,500 from the San Diego chapter of the ARCS Foundation, Inc. for the 2015-16 academic year.

“Today’s graduate scholars are our future scientific leaders and entrepreneurs, and they will go on to shape our local and global communities,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla
“We are grateful to the San Diego chapter of the ARCS Foundation for their continued investment in our students.”

The ARCS Foundation is a national nonprofit—led entirely by women—that is dedicated to advancing science and technology in the United States. The organization provides financial awards to promising undergraduate and graduate students who are pursing research in science, engineering and medical fields. The San Diego chapter has given more than $4.5 million to support UC San Diego graduate students since the chapter’s inception in 1985.

“Our goal is to support students in their pursuit of academic excellence, especially those who show promise in bringing positive and innovative ideas to our society,” said Mary Fitz, president of the San Diego Chapter of the ARCS Foundation.

For Nardoni, the award provides stability to focus on her research. “Not having to worry about finances being tight is a huge relief,” she said. “The award has also provided me the opportunity to meet many other inspiring young researchers, and make some meaningful connections with ARCS members.”

UC San Diego is currently working to grow its graduate student population, as outlined in the Chancellor’s Strategic Plan. In addition to pursuing their own scholarship, graduate students help teach undergraduates and work with faculty on cutting-edge research. Scholar Awards, including the awards provided by the ARCS Foundation, help UC San Diego to recruit and retain top students. For more information about supporting UC San Diego graduate students, visit the fellowships website.