Frances Velay Fellows

Francis Velay Fellows

The 2021 STAR Scholars cohort includes our sixth cohort of Frances Velay Fellows, thanks to the generous support of the Panaphil and Uphill Foundations. This year’s cohort of 13 women in STEM are participating in the full STAR experience, including faculty-mentored research, while also having the opportunity to engage with each other in virtual weekly meetings throughout the summer. These meetings have included meetings with women in STEM mentors, as well as the presence of a peer mentor, Samantha Seiden (STAR & Velay 2020). Through this program, we are able to provide these exceptional young women with the structure and time to reflect on what it means to be a woman in STEM, to help them build their identities as women in research, and to introduce them to others at Drexel who support and encourage them in their future goals. The Frances Velay Fellowships have been created in the memory of Frances Velay, a remarkable scientist, artist, musician, and citizen, to assist undergraduate women in the Greater Philadelphia area increase their opportunities to pursue science careers. This opportunity is provided to support individual research efforts in the hope that the Fellowship recipients will embody the spirit and determination Frances Velay brought to her work and life. This program is jointly managed by the Center for Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence (CASTLE) and Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs. We would like to thank the Panaphil and Uphill Foundations for their generous support of undergraduate research and women in STEM, as well as the faculty mentors, graduate students, and industry professionals who come together to support these exceptional women.