Beckman Scholars Program
Research funding opportunity for students pursuing degrees in Biology, Chemistry, or Neuroscience
The prestigious Beckman Scholars Program at Emmanuel College, funded by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, provides an immersive research experience for exceptionally talented undergraduates who have a clear commitment to a career in scientific research.
Beckman Scholars conduct independent research over 15 months (two consecutive summers and one academic year) guided by one of twelve expert faculty mentors from the School of Science and Health.
Beckman Scholars will receive additional professional development opportunities including conference attendance, and will be advantageously positioned to pursue graduate education and careers in scientific research.
Emmanuel College will name two Beckman Scholars in the Spring semester of 2025 and two Beckman Scholars in the Spring semester of 2026.
Beckman Scholars will receive $18,200 stipend over the 15 month award period ($6,800 for each summer and $4,600 for the academic year) and $2,800 for travel and research supplies.
The faculty mentors will receive a budget of $5,000 to support the scholars and their projects.
- Emmanuel College full-time undergraduate student scientists majoring in Biology, Chemistry or Neuroscience.
- Students with sophomore status at the time of application.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Commit to a continuous 15 month research experience (guided by an Emmanuel mentor) comprised of 10 weeks of full-time research during the summers of 2025 and 2026, and 10 hours per week of research during the intervening fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
- Intention to pursue Distinction in the Field honors within their discipline.
- Intention to pursue an advanced science degree such as PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or other scientific pursuits.
- Participate in the annual Beckman Scholars Annual Research Symposium.
- Citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions, or hold DACA recipient statuses
Submit the following to the Beckman Scholars Posting on HireSaints by January 31st:
- A current CV that includes relevant lab or research experience (1-2 pages).
- A transcript (screenshot is fine) that includes all courses completed to date.
- Statement that describes (1-2 pages total);
- How this program will contribute to the candidate’s professional plans;
- An example of a challenge/adversity that the candidate has overcome;
- A brief explanation of two mentors the candidate is interested in working with and why (see list of faculty mentors for 2025-2026)
Have two Professional Recommendations completed
Share the Beckman Scholars Recommendation Form with two professional references (one of whom must be a faculty member from the School of Science + Health) and ask that they submit the completed form by January 31st
- January 31st: deadline to apply 12pm
- By February 28th: Selected finalists will interview and visit mentor labs. The interview will include finalists preparing a short presentation on a research topic that is impacting society (topics and a guide paper will be made available to finalists). Presentations will be 5 mins with supporting data and visual aids. In addition, the interview will include questions relating to the application packet and future aspirations.
- Merit, diversity, equity, and inclusion will be considered as factors of equal weight during the Scholar selection process.
- By March 15th: Beckman Scholars will be announced
For any questions regarding your CV, written statement, or application in HireSaints, please reach out to Meghan Braganca, Science + Health Career Advisor at bragancam@emmanuel.edu
For any questions regarding the program itself— research, funding, previous projects, etc.– please reach out directly to Padraig Deighan, Dean of Science + Health at deighanp@emmanuel.edu
MEET THE 2025-2026 FACULTY MENTORS
Vincent Cannataro
Assistant Professor of Biology
Beckman scholars working with Professor Cannataro will use computational and bioinformatic techniques to investigate the molecular variants driving human cancers, and the mutational processes that shape these variants. Our work will have relevance to many branches of oncology, spanning cancer prevention through clinical treatment.
Aren Gerdon
Professor of Chemistry
Beckman scholars working with Professor Gerdon will use techniques from analytical and biochemistry to study and produce biomaterials using synthetic biomimetic molecules such as gold nanoparticles, DNA aptamers, and DNA origami. These materials relate to bone, enamel, and ocean organisms.
Melanie Leussis
Associate Professor of Psychology + Neuroscience
Beckman scholars working with Professor Leussis will engage in research focused on increasing our understanding of psychiatric disease. Behavioral neuroscience techniques will be combined with brain analysis to study the impact of genes, the environment (e.g. stress) and how these interact during development to affect psychiatric disease progression and severity, while seeking potential avenues for improved treatments.
Anupama Seshan
Associate Professor of Biology
Beckman scholars working with Professor Seshan will identify error-correction mechanisms that are important for the accuracy of cell division and cancer prevention. Scholars will use genetic and molecular biology techniques to create mutants in the budding yeast model and investigate their impacts on cell division using fluorescence microscopy.
