I recently graduated with my Master’s in Cognitive Science from the University of Edinburgh following my time at UCLA, where I studied Cognitive Science and Linguistics & Computer Science. I’m currently preparing a manuscript for publication on my research exploring what language reveals to us about how individuals and communities process traumatic events. Alongside this, I am currently on the job hunt, seeking positions in psycholinguistic/mental health research as well as in conversation/AI agent design. I’m looking forward to where my next adventure will take me!

The AFCU Satellite Scholarship was instrumental in helping me achieve my goals. It helped to alleviate the financial load of university, allowing me to focus more time on research and discovering my passions. I had the opportunity to conduct research across multiple labs as well as to lead research projects focused on the role and applications of technology and language within disasters. I am deeply grateful for how the AFCU Satellite Scholarship helped pave the way for me to have these opportunities.

One achievement I am proud of is my time as a UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Undergraduate Research Fellow. As a UCLA/Keck Fellow, I led a research study on testimonies from the Russo-Ukrainian War, examining the relationship between how people tell their stories and their lived experiences. It was an experience full of growth and an incredible opportunity to continue working towards expanding our understanding of how language and technology can serve as tools to expand access to mental health care.

- Anna T.
2020 AFCU College Scholarship Winner

I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Statistical Sciences, Data Science curriculum, at the University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy. My studies emphasize statistical modeling, machine learning, and data analysis, which I hope to apply to environmental challenges and natural disaster forecasting.

The AFCU Satellite Scholarship played an important role in helping me achieve my goals by providing financial support during my undergraduate studies. I graduated in May 2024 from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, where I concentrated in Statistics, Environmental Science, and Data Science. With this support, I was able to focus on my academics and pursue interdisciplinary coursework.

One of my proudest achievements has been my work in environmental data science and data analysis, which began in 2021 and developed over several years. I completed two consecutive summer internships as an Environmental Data Intern and Fellow through the Summer Science Program at Sarah Lawrence College, where I worked under the mentorship of Professor Bernice Rosenzweig.

During this time, I developed skills in extracting, cleaning, and analyzing environmental data in New York City, as well as presenting findings through visualizations and written reports. I worked on a project focused on sewer backup flooding, where I analyzed data in an effort to identify threshold levels associated with flooding risk.

This experience continued beyond the internships, as I further explored these topics through coursework and ultimately designed and completed an independent study during my senior year of my undergraduate studies. Additionally, it influenced my decision to pursue graduate studies in statistical sciences and data science.

- Lilliana L.
2020 AFCU College Scholarship Winner

I graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering last spring. After graduating, I took a gap year to explore some avenues outside of academia. This fall, I’ll be pursuing my M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford, and my main interest is in collision avoidance for space applications. 

The AFCU Satellite Scholarship helped lift some financial burden, and contributed to me being able to study what I was interested in. I'm thankful for the role this scholarship played in the education and various opportunities that opened up to me during my time at UCLA. I appreciate AFCU's commitment to education and how they're helping students, like me, as we pursue higher education.

While I was at UCLA, I had the privilege of leading and overseeing the Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) team at the ELFIN lab, running many crucial TVAC tests using a thermal shroud I designed. Getting to expand our testing capabilities by leading developments across electrical, thermal, and fluid subsystems, and equipping others to take on testing responsibilities after I graduated is something I'm really proud of. The depth of knowledge and experience I gained at ELFIN is something I will carry with me into my career.

- Alissa T.
2021 AFCU College Scholarship Winner

Currently I am completing my studies at Christopher Newport University (CNU) as a Masters in Computer Science student. I will be defending my thesis work within two weeks time, and I will be very proud of that achievement once it is completed.

The AFCU Satellite Scholarship helped me in affording my undergraduate years at CNU, which has allowed me to partake in the University's 5-year Master's program, furthering my professional skills and academic knowledge.

- Peter P.
2021 AFCU College Scholarship Winner

I am currently majoring in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics at UCLA, with a minor in Asian Languages. The AFCU Satellite Scholarship has helped me pay for all of my textbooks and lab materials, which were necessary for my classes and for gaining relevant lab experience in my field. One personal achievement that I am proud of is helping produce my Japanese club's annual Cultural Night this February, in which we showcased a student-led play, performances from Japanese taiko and dance groups, and helped raise money for Japanese community organizations.

- Alexandria L.
2023 AFCU College Scholarship Winner

I am currently a rising senior at Georgetown University, studying Government and Tech, Ethics, & Society. 

I am extremely thankful for the AFCU Satellite Scholarship because it helped supply the textbooks and materials I needed to succeed. 

I recently presented my year's worth of research on tracking empirical evidence in tech litigation. We created a tech litigation tracker with over 200+ U.S. cases across state and federal jurisdictions in legal areas such as consumer protection, product liability, content moderation, antitrust, AI, intellectual property, First Amendment, and privacy. 

- Sarah C.
2023 AFCU College Scholarship Winner