BECKMAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Beckman Scholars Program gives high-performing undergraduate students in the fields of biology, chemistry and neuroscience the opportunity to conduct independent laboratory research under the mentorship of select, expert faculty mentors. Beckman Scholars will benefit from additional professional development opportunities and will be well-positioned to pursue their graduate educations and careers in science.
The Honors College will name two Beckman Scholars each spring semester for three years, starting in 2021. Beckman Scholars will receive $21,000 over 15 months, including travel and supplies, and their faculty mentors will receive $5,000 to support educational expenses for their scholars.
The application is now closed.
STUDENT APPLICANTS
Competitive candidates for the Beckman Scholars Program have demonstrated academic excellence and an interest in pursuing an advanced degree in science. Eligible Beckman Scholars are curious, motivated and seeking experiences that will develop their knowledge and skills in the fields of biology, chemistry or neuroscience.
Watch the video to hear Veda Balaji talk about her experience as a Beckman Scholar.
- Full-time, baccalaureate degree-seeking student on the Atlanta campus at Georgia State University as of Summer 2023
- Majoring in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience
- GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Expected graduation date no earlier than December 2024 for Baccalaureate Degree
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or its possessions
- Motivated and committed to performing research activities part-time (minimum of 10 hours per week) during one academic year and full-time (40 hours per week) over two consecutive summers.
Prior research experience is not required.
Selected Beckman Scholars must:
- Provide a headshot within 3 days of selection notification
- Consent to have their transcript released to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
- Remain in good academic standing
- Complete the Honors College Research Skills Workshops Certificate Program
- Conduct an honors thesis and participate in the Thesis Pitch Competition
- Present at the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference
- Meet with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships to discuss the feasibility of submitting at least one national fellowship or scholarship application
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to exemplary scientific and academic ethics as set forth in Arnold O. Beckman’s Rules for Success
- Applications are due by March 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
- Finalists will be notified and invited to an interview preparation workshop in late March/early April.
- Finalist interviews will be conducted in early- to mid-April.
- Selected Beckman Scholars will be announced in late April/early May.
The Beckman Scholars Program at Georgia State pledges to uphold the principles and values set forth in the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy.
Read the full policy here.
APPLICANT FAQs
The Beckman Scholars Program selection committee looks at the student applicant’s overall GPA, including transfer credits.
No. Only students majoring in biology, chemistry, or neuroscience are eligible to apply.
No. Eligible student applicants must be enrolled at Georgia State and ready to start as a Beckman Scholar in Summer 2023.
Yes. Students who intend to conduct research as part of their medical career are eligible. However, the onus is on student applicants to provide convincing proof of their intent to conduct research.
Yes. You may apply again if you meet eligibility criteria, including the stated graduation date requirement.
FACULTY MENTORS
The following faculty have been selected to mentor our Beckman Scholars based on their commitment to guiding undergraduate researchers and their record of cutting-edge research:
Sarah Brosnan is a professor of psychology, neuroscience and philosophy. Her research explores the behavioral, cognitive and hormonal mechanisms underlying decision-making across a variety of species, particularly non-human primates, and how these decisions are influenced by ecology and the social environment.
Daniel Cox is a professor of biology and neuroscience. Research in the Cox Lab is focused on dissecting the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the specification and modulation of neural connectivity with an emphasis on the control of dendrite development and circuitry driving nociceptive pain in Drosophila in the context of both health and neurological disease.
Maged Henary is an associate professor of chemistry, and his group is interested in synthesizing pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic use and imaging technology, such as cancer imaging dyes, G-4 DNA binders, invisible markers, and fluorescent probes. The Henary group also focuses on developing pH sensitive dyes, donor acceptor fluorophores and solid-state dye sensitized solar cells.
Jenny Yang is a Regents’ Professor of chemistry, and her lab uses bioinformatics, chemistry, imaging, cell biology and animal models to identify calcium binding proteins, visualize calcium signaling pathways, establish the molecular basis of metal toxicity, and identify the molecular basis of human diseases. Her group also develops biosensors, and creates MRI contrast agents and therapeutic drugs to diagnose and cure human diseases.