McDermott Scholar Alumni
Members of the first five classes of Scholars attend some of the nation's most prestigious graduate schools
2005 Scholars
Logan Acton
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Arts & Performance and a minor in Political Science from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.A. in Aesthetic Studies from UTD and is working at The Dallas Museum of Art where he holds the McDermott Fellowship
David Bindel
Hometown: San Marcos, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Business Administration from UTD in 2007
Graduated with an M.S. in Applied Cognition & Neuroscience, Intelligent Systems from UTD in 2009
Currently working as software engineer at Arcanum Consulting
Sara Clingan
Hometown: Springfield, MO
Graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing a J.D. the University of Virginia Law School
Katie Enderle
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Art History from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD
Jessica Harpham
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.D. at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Steven Horne
Hometown: Elbert, CO
Graduated with a B.S. in Physics and Mathematical Sciences from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.S. in Nuclear and Radiation Program Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Texas at Austin
Paul Ingram
Hometown: Beeville, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Economics from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.S. in Applied Economics from UTD and works for Precision Corp.
Felicity Lenes
Hometown: Mount Pleasant, SC
Graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and a minor in Economics from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.D. at Yale University
Juliann Peterson
Hometown: Austin, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology at UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) at The University of Texas of Austin
Alejandro Ramirez
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
Graduated with a B.S. in Arts and Technology from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.A. in Arts and Technology at UTD
Holly Roelse
Hometown: Pasadena, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences in Developmental Psychology from UTD.
Roman Starsky
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Finance and with an M.S. in Accounting from UTD in 2009
Roman is currently working as a private equity analyst for Fiduciary Network
Austin Swafford
Hometown: Abita Springs, LA
Graduated with a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Nanotechnology from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Cambridge through the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program.
Bradley Wallace
Hometown: Houston, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Biology from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing an M.D. at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Molly Wurzer
Hometown: Houston, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing a J.D. from The University of Texas at Austin
Ben Yelverton
Hometown: Orange, TX
Graduated with a B. A. in Political Science from UTD in 2009
Currently pursuing a J.D. at Baylor University Law School
2004 Scholars
Laura Mirielle Anderson
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.D. at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Zac Cox
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Mathematical Science and a minor in Physics from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing a J.D. at Stanford University Law School
James Fickenscher
Hometown: Monahans, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing a graduate degree at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO
Hannah Frank
Hometown: Austin
Graduate with a B.A. in Literary Studies and a B.A. Art and Performance with a minor in History in May 2008.
Currently in Ghana, Africa, with the Peace Corp
Lelia Gowland
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Minor in Political Science from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.A. in Public Policy at University of Michigan
George Graham
Hometown: Rowlett, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Criminology with a minor in Political Science from UTD in 2008
Currently working for the Fort Worth Police Department
Alessandro Gregorat
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and with a B.S. in Biology from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.D. at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX
Holly Kwan
Hometown: Plano, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies and in Arts & Humanities from UTD in 2008
Currently teaching junior and senior English in Austin, Texas
Iris Kwong
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Economics & Finance from UTD in 2007 and with an M.S. in Management and Administrative Science from UTD in 2008
Graduated with an M.P.A. at The University of Texas at Austin in 2009
Currently works at Deloitte & Touche
Rachel Markowitz
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from UTD in 2008
Currently a Fulbright Fellow in Rabat, Morocco
Erica Neiser
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Graduated with a B.S. in Physics from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing a M.S. in Materials Science at the University of Virginia
Alex Raw
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Chemistry from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.D. at University of Pittsburgh Medical School.
Liam Skoyles
Hometown: Katy, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2008 and with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2009
Currently working at Raytheon Corporation
Benedict Voit
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Economics from UTD in 2008
Currently working for ALM First Financial
Kerri West
Hometown: Shelbyville, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in American Studies from UTD in 2008
Currently working as an associate at Human Rights Watch, Arms Division in Washington, DC
Jordan Youngblood
Hometown: Weatherford, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.A./Ph.D. in English at the University of Mississippi
2003 Scholars
Chris Affolter
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Graduated with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Art History and Government & Politics from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Microbial Pathogenesis at Washington University in St. Louis.
Derrick Chen
Hometown: Plano, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UTD in 2004 and with a B.A. in Biology from UTD in 2006
Graduated with an M.S. in Applied Cognition & Neuroscience from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing an M.D. at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Neha Chinai
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies and a B.S. in Finance from UTD in 2007
Currently working for Mesirow Financial Consulting
Caitlin Dooley
Hometown: Houston, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing an M.D. at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.
John Keese
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Graduated with a B.A. in Arts & Technology from UTD in 2006 and with an M.F.A. in Arts & Technology from UTD in 2008
Currently working at Multimedia Designer, Dallas Market Center
Jonathan Lane
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Statistics at Rice University.
Melissa Lent
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Music from UTD in 2007 and with a B.S. in Child Learning & Development with a minor in Physics from UTD in 2007
Graduated with an M.S. in Applied Cognition & Neuroscience from UTD in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.Res. (Masters in Research) in Psychology at St. Andrews University in Scotland.
John McLean
Hometown: Houston, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing an M.D. at UT Health Science Center – Houston
Alyssa McMenamy
Hometown: Lubbock, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from UTD in 2007 and with an M.S. in Cognition and Neuroscience from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Pamela Palagonia
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from UTD in 2007
Currently works for Powell Tate/Weber Shandwick in Washington, DC
Clarisse Profilet
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing Masters of Accountancy and J.D. at The University of Texas in Austin
Adam Raw
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Graduated with an B.S. in Chemistry from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Northwestern University
Fern Yoon
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and minors in Business Administration and in Music from UTD in 2007 and with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2008
Currently working at Texas Instruments
2002 Scholars
Leia Biholar
Hometown: Plano, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Arts & Performance from UTD in 2006
Graduated with an M.B.A. in Business Administration from UTD in 2007
Currently working for GEICO in the Emerging Leaders Program
Jessica Cockrell
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies from UTD in 2005 and with an M.A. in Humanities from UTD in 2006
Currently working at Brigham Hill Consultancy
Vicki Dashley
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Biology and Business Administration from UTD in 2006
Graduated with a D.V.M. in Veterinary Science from Texas A & M University 2008
Thomas Elliott
Hometown: Houston, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at University of California at Irvine
Robert “Bobby” Janecka
Hometown: Victoria, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies and Historical Studies with a minor in Government & Politics from UTD in 2006
Graduated with an M.A. in International Affairs, National Security Track at the George Bush School, Texas A & M University in 2009
Currently working as a teacher for the Teach for America Corps in Greater New Orleans, LA
Cheng Lee
Hometown: Irving, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with minors in Economics & Finance and Government & Politics from UTD in 2006
Currently working for SunTrust, Richmond, VA
Matthew “Matt” Leonard
Hometown: Rowlett, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and minor in History from UTD in 2006 and with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2008
Currently working for Raytheon Corporation
Mary Makary
Hometown: Mesquite, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Government & Politics from UTD in 2006
Graduated with a J.D. from Harvard University Law School in 2009
Sani Mathew
Hometown: Sunnyvale, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Medical & Scientific Humanities from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing an M.D. at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Kassandra McLean
Hometown: Houston, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Physics from UTD 2007
Currently working at Raytheon Corporation
Caleb Nelson
Hometown: Prosper, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2005 and with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Plasma Science from UTD.
Abraham Rivera-Olguin
Hometown: Guanajuato, Mexico
Graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from UTD in 2006 and with a B.S. in Economics, Political & Policy Sciences from UTD in 2007
Currently working at BBVA Bancomer Bank - Mexico
Sophie Rutenbar
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Government & Politics from UTD in 2006
Graduated with an M.A. in Conflict, Security and Development and an M.S.C. in Human Rights from Kings College London in 2008
Currently pursuing an M.S.C. in Human Rights at the London School of Economics and Political Science
Michael Seeligson
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Mathematical Sciences from UTD in 2006
Graduated with a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School in 2009
Annie Toung
Hometown: Carrollton, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Biology from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing a D.O. at Georgia Campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kimberly Vela
Hometown: Los Alamos, NM
Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UTD in 2006
Graduated with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in 2009
Currently working at Child and Family Guidance Center
Richard Voit
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Benjamin Weittenhiller
Hometown: Big Horn, WY
Graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish & Hispanic Studies from UTD in 2005
Graduated with an M.B.A. from UTD in 2006
Currently working at the American Heart Association
2001 Scholars
Justin Appleby
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Government & Politics from UTD in 2005
Kelsey Condra
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Arts & Humanities-Literary Studies and minor in Government & Politics from UTD in 2005
Graduated with a J.D. from George Washington University Law School in 2009
Currently working at Van Wey and Johnson, L.L.P.
Andres Correa
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Government & Politics with minor in Economics & Finance from UTD in 2005
Graduated with a J. D. from New York University Law School in 2008
Currently working at Cravath, Swaine and Moore, LLP
Megan Creasey
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Physics and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2005
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics at The University of Texas Austin
Daniel Erwin
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies and Arts & Performance with minor in Government & Politics from UTD in 2005
Currently pursuing a Master of Design at the Institute of Design in Chicago, IL
Morgan Feeney
Hometown: Racine, WI
Graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology from UTD in 2005
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology at Harvard University Medical School
Emily Hinz
Hometown: Plano, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Geosciences and Computer Science from UTD in 2004 and an M.S. in Geosciences from UTD in 2007
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geophysics at Boise State University in Idaho
Tim Hise
Hometown: Austin, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education & Math) from UTD in 2005
Graduated with an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from University of North Texas in 2009
Currently working with Dallas Independent School District at Greiner Middle School
Sarah Islam
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Government & Politics from UTD in 2005
Graduated with an M.A. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University in 2009
Eric Kildebeck
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Biotechnology from UTD in 2005
Currently pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D. at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
DeLisa Lay
Hometown: Kingwood, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Government & Politics from UTD in 2005
Currently pursuing a J.D. from Yale University Law School and is the Director of the Lowenstein Human Rights Project and Student Director of Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic
Laura Rashedi
Hometown: Katy, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Literary Studies and minor in Biology from UTD in 2005 and with an M.B.A. from UTD in 2006
Graduated with a J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 2009
Currently working at Marci Rosenberg, P.C. and Schiff Hardin, L.L.P
Aidan Skoyles
Hometown: Katy, TX
Graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2005 and with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from UTD in 2006
Graduated with a J.D. from George Washington University Law School in 2009
Robert “Bob” Sterie
Hometown: Grapevine, TX
Graduated with a B.A. in Historical Studies from UTD in 2004
Walter Voit
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science with minor in Mathematical Sciences from UTD in 2005
Graduated as an Erik Jonsson Fellow with an M.S. in Computer Science from UTD in 2006
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology where he is a Presidential Fellow
