Interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in a STEM-related field? Learn More About the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Graduate Application Bootcamp at Duke University
“My name is Natalie Rozman and I recently graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. The School of Engineering and Applied Science sparked my interest in higher education and I decided to pursue a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Duke University. I am currently working in Dr. Willie Padilla’s lab which is under the Applied Physics concentration within the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke. We primarily focus on designing and creating metamaterial structures in the THz range.
Upon my acceptance to Duke University, I was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Scholarship through Duke University Center of Exemplary Mentoring (UCEM). There are currently just eight other universities across the country that offer this scholarship program, and I was a part of the first cohort of Sloan Scholars at my university. This scholarship has given me a community and a sense of belonging at Duke. I have become very close with the Graduate Student Affairs office through this scholarship, and have found mentors who have completed their Ph.D. journey.”
This scholarship works towards increasing the diversity of Ph.D. students in engineering and the physical sciences by recruiting and supporting underrepresented minority students. In addition to $40,000 in supplemental funding, Scholars receive significant support in the areas of academics, mentoring, professional development, and wellness. Sloan Scholars take part in a series of workshops, symposia, lunches, and periodic check-ins throughout their degree program. Another aspect of the scholarship is the Early Start Research Immersion Program, which brings the new cohort of Sloan Scholars to campus two months early to prepare them for doctoral study.
Duke University is looking to expand their recruitment efforts and wants to encourage undergraduate students to consider pursuing their Ph.D. at Duke University. The Duke UCEM teamed with the Pratt School of Engineering in hosting the Graduate Program and Fellowship Application Bootcamp. This is an expense-paid experience that aims towards informing and encouraging engineers and scientists from diverse backgrounds to pursue doctoral degrees.
If you have further questions or what to know more about my experience, please email me at Natalie.Rozman@duke.edu
