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Junior McNair Scholars
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Ali Al-Hanooti
I was born in New Jersey and lived there for the first half of my childhood. Then my family moved and spent four years in Amman, Jordan. My transition back to the states was difficult but I didn’t give up. Being Arab-American has empowered me and has in fact made me work harder always having to prove myself. Growing up I always had a thirst for knowledge and had an inclination towards mathematics and science. I plan to finish my undergraduate schooling in Mathematics and Biology then attend graduate school to pursue Mathematics. My ultimate goal is to attain a doctorate in Mathematics and become a professor. I believe teaching is a great way to give back to society. |
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Bryan Bodrog
I grew up in San Jose, CA. San Jose fit my family well because it is a large city, consisting of around one million residents, and my family is also large. I have always had a passion for helping others. Throughout High School, I wanted to become a firefighter. As graduation drew nearer I changed my career path but stayed true to who I was and my passions. I had joined the Marine Corps and was later deployed to Iraq. I participated in Operation Phantom Fury, which was a main offensive on the city of Fallujah. During my deployment, I sustained some life changing injuries. With my injuries came closing doors, as far as still becoming a firefighter, but they also opened new doors for me. I have now devoted my life to the field of psychology and helping Veterans who are returning home from war. I am interested in doing psychology research with Veterans and topics which affect Veterans. I plan to obtain my Doctorate and continue helping Veterans |
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Kristina Gorshe
I grew up in Bloomington, MN and graduated from Kennedy Senior High School with honors. I am the oldest of five children, and I like to be a role model for my siblings. All my life I have set high goals for myself because I like the feeling of accomplishment and success. I am a very curious person, and my drive for learning is something that I take pride in. Every since my first biology class in middle school, I have developed a great passion for biological and life science. My passion is to study whole organisms and their structure, function, behavior, and evolution. I am also interested in learning more about animal behavior and how it relates to the process of natural selection and evolution. Ultimately, I want to be involved in the discovery of new and unclassified species and understanding how they contribute to their environment. After UWRF, I plan to complete my Ph.D. in Zoology and then work at a major research university to conduct projects that will help create advancements in my field |
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Michelle Haring
I was born and raised in Tomahawk, WI. At the age of 10 years old, my parents separated and now I have a very large family consisting of my parents, step-parents, siblings and step-siblings. I fall right in the middle of 7 children and life can be very hectic with such a big family but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. One of my strengths is my compassion for others, especially animals. I plan on completing my bachelor’s degree at UW-River Falls with a major in Biology with the Pre-Veterinary as an option and a minor in Animal Science. With my strong foundational courses in Biology and Animal Science, I will be prepared to gain invaluable research skills, learn new procedures, and experience the mentorship of expert faculty who specialize in veterinary medicine and biomedical research. After I finish my degree here at UWRF, I want to pursue a degree in Comparative Pathobiology since it is primarily concerned with improving the health and well-being of both animals and humans. |
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Sean Nomoto
I first began having interest in physical and material sciences during my junior year in high school when I was placed in a physics course I had not enrolled in myself. Both my parents never had a college degree so my fascination with science is a self-cultivated curiosity that keeps me motivated. During the first two years of college, I participated in an Introduction to Undergraduate Research and my lab experiences provoked a desire to continue research in physical science so I switched my major from chemistry to physics. I do not have any unrealistic expectations, but the extraordinary possibility of attending graduate school. After graduation, I hope to have the opportunity to work towards a Ph.D. for theoretical physics. |
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Adam Roberts
I grew up in the small town of Cloquet, MN. My parents are a great influence and one of the biggest factors in cultivating me into the person I am today. My parents worked harder than the majority of people I know in the spirit of serving others and I intend to carry that on in my own life. The idea of service and compassion has compelled me toward the study of military history. After going to war myself, as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, I aspired to combine my interest in military history with my analytical and inquisitive nature to further understand war, political systems and human nature in order to prevent future conflicts. I intend to work with the government to influence professionals who make the decisions regarding whether we should go to war and I also hope to be a college professor in order to cultivate understanding of international issues and enhance critical thinking skills in the minds of our nation’s future leaders. |
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Isaac Russel
I am originally from St. Paul, MN but have moved around quite a bit within the twin cities and also spent 3 years in Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout high school I was very active in sports, particularly football. I am a Political Science and History major. These fields have always interested me. The events of September 11, 2001 left me interested in the politics of the situation. I realized then that in order to understand the events that would follow, the politics of today do not exist in a vacuum and there is extensive history that would give me greater understanding of the modern issues. I have gained interest in Middle Eastern foreign policy, ancient Rome civilization, Islamic history, political ideology, racial issues, and contemporary world issues. Ultimately, I want to be someone who can legitimately be considered an intellectual and be called a "doctor." |
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Daniel Scott
I grew up in Oakdale, MN. Throughout high school I was very involved in theater, choir and speech team but when college came, I switched gears and got involved in residence life, student senate and career services. I have already achieved many sub-goals of mine like becoming a director on student senate, being a hall manager on campus, completing a Criminal Justice Internship and more. I am a Psychology and Sociology major and Criminology minor here at UWRF. Since freshmen year in high school, I’ve had a strong desire to achieve a Ph.D. in either Psychology or Sociology. Since time progressed, I found that my interests relate to Criminology. I would really enjoy doing research related to the etiology of criminal behavior, treatment for offenders and the effectiveness of laws and social policy. With a goal of a doctoral degree in mind, I hope to contribute beneficial and applicable research to the field of Criminology. |
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