Graduate eNews

Winter 2006 [Return to issue home]

The Graduate School Medal: Rewarding Scholar-Citizens

Two students received The Graduate School Medal in 2005—Mae Henderson, Ph.D. Candidate, Women Studies and Melanie Roberts, Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Candidate in Neurobiology & Behavior, who has since completed her degree.

The award provides a one-year, $10,000 fellowship annually to two Ph.D. candidates who display an exemplary commitment to both the University and its larger community. The Graduate School Medal is a prestigious award that recognizes the "scholar-citizen"—an individual whose academic expertise and social awareness are integrated in a way that demonstrates active civic engagement and a capacity to promote political, cultural or social change.

Mae HendersonMae Henderson - Ph.D. Candidate, Women Studies
"My work in the academy and my work in the community are thoroughly intertwined. In research, in teaching, and in community involvement, my focus is on anti-racism, inequality, and social justice," said Mae Henderson. In her dissertation research, Henderson is examining the experiences of African American women who give up the care and custody of their birth-children to others for an extended period of time. The study seeks to illuminate the impact that such circumstances have on women's perceptions of themselves as mothers and as women. Henderson combines her research and personal interests through her involvement as a member of the Student Advisory Board for the Graduate Opportunities & Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP) and departmental committees, as a representative at professional conferences, and through developing and teaching courses in the Women Studies department. She also spends summers teaching in Upward Bound programs for at-risk inner city middle and high school youth.


Melanie Roberts, '05Melanie Roberts, '05 - Ph.D., Neurobiology & Behavior
Melanie Roberts is part of a research team that studies development and regeneration of the retina, including adult and embryonic stem cells as potential therapies for some types of blindness. Working in a stem cell lab roused Roberts' interest in bioethics and science policy. She gathered a small group of other like-minded graduate students who founded the Forum on Science Ethics and Policy (FOSEP) to increase dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and the public about the role of science in society. FOSEP members include graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from more than 15 departments and programs that organize events addressing issues such as stem cell research, genetically modified foods and climate change. "Science policy decisions require an understanding of scientific, ethical, economic, historical and political factors. With experts in all of these areas, members of our community can learn from one another and intelligently analyze complicated issues that affect all of us," said Roberts about her involvement with FOSEP. Roberts also co-founded the Bioscience Careers Seminar Series, which is now in its fifth year. In the community, Roberts mentors middle school students, teaches classes about stem cell research in local schools, and English as a second language to refugees.