UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Serena Wu Selected for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

Serena Wu, a student in the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been chosen by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for membership in their Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP).

NIH identifies a select number of students as UGSP Scholars each academic year. The goal of the program is to foster the scientific development of students who are pursuing careers in medicine and health. This year, Wu is among a group of only 15 students!

Membership in this program provides students with a $20,000 scholarship for the academic year and a paid position as an NIH research trainee the following summer. UGSP Scholars are also granted employment with NIH following graduation. The time that students spend with NIH directly correlates to the number of academic years that were funded by the scholarship. Additionally, UGSP Scholars work alongside an NIH Principal Investigator or NIH postdoctoral fellow.

“This opportunity provides me with the chance to work in an NIH lab closely related to my research interests for a year,” stated Wu, who expressed her gratitude to Dr. Mahtab Jafari and the UCI Scholarship Opportunities Program for their assistance with the application process.

“Having worked with Serena closely in the lab for almost two years, I witnessed her growth as a student researcher, team player, and leader,” shared Dr. Jafari. “I would like to congratulate her for this prestigious scholarship. Working with Ms. Wu has been a very rewarding experience. Her work ethic and curious and creative mind, combined with her confidence, enthusiasm, and academic and people skills, will make her an asset to the Undergraduate Scholarship Program at the National Institutes of Health.”