Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) Award

Ayotomiwa Adedoyin is an undergraduate student in Biochemistry at the Swenson College of Science and Engineering. He serves as a Freshman representative in the Black Men Serving Excellence organization at the Duluth campus and is currently interning at the Minnesota Advancing Science and Cancer Education Discoveries program.

Alharith Dameh is an undergraduate Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology major. His undergraduate research is in understanding autism through neuroimaging and therapy work. Alharith recently served as mentor to two students from Murray Middle School helping them compete at the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair.

Darisma Daniels is pursuing their degree in Human Resource Management. She is an active member of the Black Student Association, the International Club, and the Student Government Association.

Gabrielle Denniston is completing an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience. Gabrielle is the founder of the Multiracial Student Union (MRSU) that fosters a space for multiracial, multiethnic, and transracial adoptee students at the University of Minnesota.

Minah Elsawy is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Statistical Science. Minah serves as a President's Emerging Scholar and Peer Leader for the Emerge Summer STEM Program as well as a Student Ambassador for the College of Liberal Arts.

Kelly Fung is pursuing a degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics. She currently serves as the Community Engagement Chair for the Hong Kong Student Association and serves as a Program Manager at the University YMCA overseeing a pre-college mentoring program.

Yvonne Mongare is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Nursing with a focus on planetary health advocating for the integration of climate justice, Indigenous knowledge and anti-racism into health education.

Yasmin Sandoval is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. Yasmin is a member of the Latinx/Chicanx Student Association at the University of Minnesota Duluth and a TRIO MnNair Scholar currently working on a project to examine the interplay between language barriers, medical settings, and access for St. Paul Hispanic population.

Andy Tao is a Political Science major and serves as an intern for the First Gen Student Success Center, a Community Advisor, and a Teaching Assistant for the Dr. Rev. MLK Jr. First Year Experience. As an advocate for Asian Students, Andy was invited to collaborate with Governor Tim Walz's API Minnesotans Office on drafting proposals to the Minnesota legislature.

Shangwe Weche is pursuing a degree in Architecture from the College of Design. Shangwe is a co-lead student ambassador, a member of the Undergraduate Student Advisory Board, and recently worked as an artist and event planner for the Layers of Joy exhibition held on campus.

Anna Francesca Maristela is a Psychology major who studies the intersection between diversity and mental health. Anna Francesca volunteers at the Domestic Abuse Project and the Aurora Center providing support and crisis counseling on the 24/7 hotline.

Jessica Arend is currently specializing in Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research, with a focus on the research and treatment of psychosis, within the Psychology department at the College of Liberal Arts. Jessica completed their undergraduate studies at Bethel University, majoring in Psychology.

CeRon Ford is a Ph.D. Candidate in Health Services Research, Policy & Administration in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. His research investigates how U.S. health systems, policies, and practices influence population health, with a particular focus on mental health, rural health, health equity, and health policy. CeRon’s scholarship has been published in The Milbank Quarterly, Qualitative Health Research, and the Journal of Religion and Health. He previously supported health communications at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has held multiple teaching and research appointments, including serving as a Teaching Fellow in the Public Health Administration & Policy MPH Program at UMN and a Teaching Associate at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he contributed to curriculum development and student mentorship. A Gates Millennium Scholar, CeRon earned his B.S. in Public Health from Baylor University and his M.P.H. from Morehouse School of Medicine.

Salma Ibrahim is a second-year doctoral student in the Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Science program at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development. Salma received her B.S. in developmental psychology with minors in public health and neuroscience from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2023.

Shania Kuo is pursuing her PhD in Sociology researching Asian American families, eldercare, health, the life course, and cultures of death and dying within the Sociology department at the College of Liberal Arts on the Twin Cities campus. Shania completed her undergraduate studies at Hamilton College, majoring in Sociology and Chinese Language and Literature.

Mirinda M Morency is a doctoral candidate in the joint Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Science Program at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development. Her doctoral research examines how structural stress and sociocultural assets jointly shape biological and psychological adaptation. Her dissertation on high-effort coping explores the mental and physiological costs of resilience in marginalized youth, with an eye toward translating findings into equity-oriented, actionable change. Through this work, her aim is to advance a model of clinical science that illuminates not only mechanisms of vulnerability but also the conditions that allow individuals, families, and communities to thrive. She earned a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology at UMN, a Master in Social Work at Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Loyola University.

Jessica Tran is a doctoral candidate studying Natural Resources Science and Management. As an environmental social scientist using participatory methods, her research and teaching focus on environmental justice, Indigenous natural resource management, sense of place, and the social impacts of climate change. Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University in Environmental Design, Policy, and Planning.

Saliha Chaudhry is a medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, concurrently pursuing a dual degree in biomedical engineering through the Institute for Engineering in Medicine. With a focus on the intersection of medicine and technology, she aims to develop innovative, patient-centered healthcare solutions in both clinical and research settings. Saliha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Society, and the Environment, with a minor in Public Health.

Aliya Freberg is pursuing a BSN in the School of Nursing at University of Minnesota on the Minneapolis campus. Aliya is on track to graduate in Spring 2026.

Natalia Hong is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Developmental Psychology in the Institute of Child Development at the College of Liberal Arts on the Twin Cities campus. Natalia is also minoring in Family Therapy and expects to graduate in Spring, 2025.

Ellen Lundeen is pursuing a major in Developmental Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts on the Twin Cities Campus. Ellen is also minoring in Family Therapy, and expects to graduate in Spring, 2025. 

Jade Moreno is pursuing a Finance degree at the Carlson School of Management on the Twin Cities Campus. Jade is also co-majoring in Public and Nonprofit Management and expects to graduate in Spring 2025.

Athira Nair is pursuing an honors double major in Psychology and Sociology of Law, Criminology and Justice in the College of Liberal Arts. Athira is also minoring in Japanese and expects to graduate in the Spring of 2025.

Asiyah Noujdi is currently pursuing a English and French major on the Morris campus. Asiyah is also minoring in Gender Women and Sexuality studies, and expects to graduate spring 2026.

Adhvaith Sridhar is pursuing a Biochemistry degree in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics at the College of Biological Sciences on the Twin Cities campus. Adhvaith expects to graduate in Spring 2025. Adhvaith’s work centers on improving access to mentorship and computer science instruction for students whose schools do not currently have technology programs and training for teachers interested in integrating these skills into their classrooms.

Andy Tao is majoring in Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) and double minoring in Business Law at the Carlson School of Management and Sociology of Law Crime and Justice in CLA. He expects to graduate in May of 2026.

Anlin Thachil is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In addition to her dual degree program, Annie engages in research and community outreach initiatives to deepen her understanding of social structures and political systems. She is set to graduate in Spring 2025 and aims to apply her knowledge to impactful policy-making and advocacy work.

Sara Troseth is a direct descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She is pursuing a Bachelors in Computer Science at Swenson College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Sara is also minoring in both American Indian Studies and Computer Engineering, and expects to graduate in Spring 2025.