Scholar Voices

On Monday, October 13, 2025, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy hosted the first installment of its Global Leadership Visions Series, an enlightening assembly of thought leaders who share their perspectives on global challenges through the lens of leadership, their academic work, and their interests as a global citizens.

Larry Atakora-Amaniampong, a McDonnell Scholar and Biomedical Engineering PhD student in McKelvey School of Engineering at WashU, is spearheading a commendable initiative to donate teaching laboratory equipment from WashU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering to three under-resourced BME departments in Ghana.

Gun Yi Park, a 2024 McDonnell Scholar and PhD student in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering at WashU’s McKelvey School of Engineering, achieved significant recognition at the WashU Center for Water Innovation Research Symposium on September 8, 2025.

Through immersive experiences at iconic landmarks, esteemed cultural institutions, and the heart of the world’s financial hub, the Scholars gained invaluable insights. Explore the reflections and lessons learned from several McDonnell Scholars, who discovered new dimensions of leadership and community during the 2025 Cohort Trip to New York City.

McKelvey School of Engineering | February 13, 2025 Somtochukwu Okafor, McDonnell Scholar and biomedical engineering PhD student, in collaboration with Alexandra Rutz, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering, developed a technique to 3D print bioelectronic scaffolds that could help new tissue grow that could be used for drug development, environmental […]

Robert Kasumba, a 3rd-year McDonnell Scholar, is making a meaningful impact as a board member of the Harambee Center, a nonprofit fostering cultural exchange between East Africa and North America.

On November 9, 2024, the McDonnell Scholars brought the Global Food Science Experience to Saint Louis Science Center Sci-FEAST.

The Bayer for You (B4U) Mentorship Program connected McDonnell Scholars with Bayer Crop Science mentors for three months of leadership and career development.

On October 31, 2024, McDonnell Scholars visited Nestlé Purina’s St. Louis campus to explore leadership and innovation, including a corporate showcase, global strategy insights, and discussions with executives, emphasizing the translation of academic expertise into industry impact.

The McDonnell Academy takes pride in recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of McDonnell Scholar Allison Martinez Mejia, who continues to distinguish herself through remarkable academic and research achievements.