College of Science
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Emma Powers, Class of 2025
FUSE (Sorin) Scholar, Goldwater Scholar, Gates Cambridge Scholar
M.Phil Medical Science, Churchill College- University of Cambridge
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
Major: Biochemistry, Honors Track Concentration
Minor: Data Science
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Jordan Hall of Science Reading Room
What has been your favorite course(s) at ND so far and why?
Generative AI in the Wild and Organic Chemistry II
Generative AI in the Wild has taught me how to effectively use AI in an ethical manner. Since AI is becoming the new forefront of technology, I feel significantly more prepared to be a step ahead of those around me. This course taught me real world skills that I now use more effectively on a regular basis.
Organic Chemistry II was extremely satisfying to work incredibly hard and challenge myself and see that work pays off. While it has also been one of the most challenging courses I have taken, I could see myself learning everyday. The problem solving aspect of this course was always exciting to me (however, I would never want to take it again).
How did you decide on your major/minor?
The Biochemistry major has a rigorous program that provides a strong background in laboratory, coursework, and scientific presentations to set myself up well for a research career.
However, my interest in biochemistry developed from family who worked in the medical and biomedical fields and a seventh grade science fair project. I did not want to do another volcano project, so I tested bacteria on my teachers’ smart boards. I ended up growing bacteria at a nearby college lab for safety precautions.
The Data Science minor supports my research goals by providing me the skills to code and handle large data sets. I knew I wanted to study Data Science as a minor because a high school math teacher came up to me and said that I should become a data scientist. I came across the minor when I got to Notre Dame and was able to register for it.
What are your research interests?
I study the developmental role of CXCR2 and CXCL5 in bone, adipose, and mammary gland tissue in mice models. This then will be used to discover therapeutic targets in breast cancer metastasis.
Do you have any advice for your peers on how to find a research project?
I reached out to potential PIs (Principal Investigator) my freshman year, and I worked for a semester in the lab shadowing the graduate students. Starting my sophomore year, I worked directly under one graduate student who’s project interested me. Slowly, I began to take over smaller projects within her thesis, and I eventually worked with her and Dr. Littlepage to develop my own research project and goals based on those earlier experiments I performed. My advice to develop your own project is just reach out and ask professors. Most of them are incredibly nice and want to help undergraduate students experience research.
What kinds of extracurricular activities did you participate in and why?
On campus, I work as a student manager for the Varsity Volleyball team. Additionally, I am an Organic Chemistry II tutor, I participated in a healthcare SIBC project, a part of the Pre-Grad STEM Club, and I perform breast cancer metastasis research under Dr. Littlepage.
I got involved with the Varsity Volleyball team because I had played previously. However, I tore my ACL my sophomore year of high school. I still wanted to get involved in college as a volleyball coach. Being a part of the team gave me an instant community. I get to interact with people outside of STEM leading to diverse problem solving skills. This job forces me to put things down, allows for interaction with others, and fully disconnects me from my academics. We live where we work, work where we live. And working out is always nice!
My other activities are related to my career goals.
What are your future plans? How did you decide on this?
After Notre Dame, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. In Cancer Biology. Then, I want to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry working in late-stage therapeutic development and early-stage clinical trials in breast cancer.
I took Biology 1: Big Questions with Dr. Schaefer my freshman year. This is a course where you pick two questions to research instead of taking a general biology course. One of the questions I received was my lowest ranked choice, but the other one was a question about cancer. I enjoyed researching the complexity of cancer and there are great cancer labs here. I got involved with Dr. Littlepage’s lab and was inspired by the research being done in the field of Cancer Biology.
How did you find out about CUSE and when?
I received an email about Sorin Scholars from the CUSE office my first semester at Notre Dame. I applied over Christmas break but did not think I would get accepted. I have been working with CUSE ever since I became a Sorin Scholar my sophomore year.
How has CUSE helped you?
I utilize CUSE as a way to help me discern the best programs to apply to and what my best pathways to my career goals are. I will reach out to Kati Schuler or Emily Hunt when I need help discerning my next steps or if I am struggling with an application.
Did you apply to any grants, scholarships, or fellowships through CUSE?
I received guidance with the Goldwater Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, and the Gilman Scholarship.
What advice do you have for applying to grants, fellowships, scholarships, or internships?
Never count yourself out of anything! You never know what you will learn about yourself or what you want to do if you never try it. Just sitting down and organizing your thoughts as you write an application is a great way to plan out your goals and ambitions, It never hurts to try and apply. The worst they can do is say no, and you are in no different of a position than when you started! The best outcome is that you have an incredible new experience or funding source that you can choose to take if you want! Do everything in your power to make sure you have options rather than count yourself out before the choice is yours.
What have you learned from CUSE that you will carry with you past your undergraduate experience?
The mindset of JUST APPLY. Have confidence— You can have imposter syndrome, but never act like you have it.
Andrew Langford, Class of 2022
Goldwater Scholar, NSF GRFP Fellow, Hertz Fellow
Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Purdue University
Hometown: Avon, Indiana
Major: Physics with Applied Physics, Astrophysics, and Advanced Physics Concentrations
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Krizmanich Telescope on the roof of Jordan Hall
What has been your favorite course(s) at ND so far and why?
Intermediate Mechanics (Boldizsar Janko) and Quantum Mechanics I (Adam Martin)
Both courses introduced material and mathematical approaches that would later become foundational for my research. Professors Janko and Martin stimulated my curiosity in the subjects through presenting the historical progression and open questions in each respective field. Teaching in this way introduced the idea that research in physics and math is a creative process that is constantly pushed forward through questioning prior assumptions and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas.
How did you decide on your major/minor?
I have always been fascinated by how natural and human-made systems work. I feel that studying physics would provide the best preparation for tackling challenging problems in innovative ways.
I realized I wanted to major in Physics during an ND Summer Scholars program the summer before my senior year of high school. I took a two-week course on Astronomy and was introduced to the Physics Department. In my first year, I was uncertain about pursuing Physics or aerospace engineering, but the applied physics concentration allowed me to take engineering courses while keeping in the core physics curriculum.
What are your research interests?
My current research is focused on multi-body astrodynamics– I study the motion of natural and artificial satellites under the gravitational influence of two or more planetary bodies. This research has applications for spaceflight within the Earth-Moon system and for understanding the orbital dynamics of complex planetary systems.
This field of research has its origins from the invention of Calculus and Newton’s Principia and continues to be progressed through novel mathematical approaches and computational capabilities. Over the past four centuries, mathematicians, scientists, and engineers have all contributed to the study of celestial mechanics by bringing their unique perspectives that come from some motivation in their field. My research is now motivated primarily to advance spaceflight capabilities that will be needed to sustain a robust cislunar economy.
I would encourage students starting to seek projects that give them the opportunity to develop the technical and thinking skills needed to carry out research in any discipline.
What kinds of extracurricular activities did you participate in and why?
I was significantly involved in IrishSat serving as the Director of Research & Development. I enjoyed working with engineers across all disciplines to tackle challenging problems related to designing satellites for in-orbit operations. This role also helped me develop leadership capabilities in a technical setting.
What are your future plans? How did you decide on this?
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Astrodynamics at Purdue University. I hope to use my expertise in astrodynamics to contribute towards a sustainable cislunar presence and deliver scientific and economic opportunity to Earth.
I learned about the field of astrodynamics as a first year at Notre Dame. Learning about the area helped me decide to pursue a major in Physics while being involved with aerospace-related internships and design groups on campus. Over time, both my research interests and career aspirations led me to applying for graduate school in astrodynamics.
How did you find out about CUSE and when?
I first learned about CUSE through an inter-dorm referral during my freshman year. A junior and mentor to me at the time recommended I speak with his friend who was a Sorin Scholar. Inspired by that conversation, I applied to the Sorin Scholars program that spring and have been involved with CUSE ever since.
How has CUSE helped you?
During my time at Notre Dame, CUSE was an invaluable resource. Their continuous support in career discernment, application preparation, and general advisement provided me with the necessary resources to pursue my most ambitious aspirations.
Did you apply to any grants, scholarships, or fellowships through CUSE?
Goldwater Scholarship (2 times), Churchill Scholarship, Gates-Cambridge Scholarship, NSF GRFP, NDSEG, Hertz Fellowship
What advice do you have for applying to grants, fellowships, scholarships, or internships?
Collect information on the fellowship or internship ahead of the application timeline. Allowing ample time for discernment and rumination is helpful for crafting strong applications.
What have you learned from CUSE that you will carry with you past your undergraduate experience?
Working closely with CUSE helped me develop strong writing and speaking abilities. While Notre Dame emphasizes writing across all majors, CUSE taught me how to effectively communicate my technical expertise and research plans to a broader audience. This ability is something I continue to refine and value as much as any research skill.