SURA Announces 2025 MSI Graduate Award Recipients

WASHINGTON - EntSun -- Read the official press release on SURA's website: https://sura.org/sura-2025-msi-awards/

The Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) announced the recipients of the 2025 Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Graduate Awards. Georgia State University students Anna Gianella and Margie Stricklin, and University of Central Florida student Seohui Lee have been selected to receive the $5,000 award during their first semester in a PhD program at a SURA member university.

The three awardees will be honored at the SURA Annual Members Meeting in Washington, DC, in October.

"These extraordinary students exemplify the kind of talent and determination that will shape the future of scientific discovery," said Dr. Sean Hearne, President and CEO of SURA. "Supporting their academic journeys through the MSI Graduate Awards reflects our commitment to advancing excellence in science and research. We are proud to help empower the next generation of STEM leaders."

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First introduced in 2024 by SURA, the MSI Graduate Awards Program encourages undergraduate students from SURA member MSIs to pursue STEM-related PhD education at a SURA member university.

Georgia State University student Anna Gianella earned her B.S. in Mathematics this summer. While at GSU, she spent her summers as an undergraduate researcher and was a tutor in the GSU STEM Tutoring Center. Gianella was awarded Math Path Assistantships, Brain & Behavior Summer Research Assistantship, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Scholars Fellowship, and Zell Miller Scholarship. She made numerous presentations at conferences and symposiums. Gianella will be attending the University of South Florida to begin her Mathematics PhD program in August.

University of Central Florida student Seohui Lee plans to pursue a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering where chemistry, engineering, and physics come together. She was an undergraduate researcher in the NanoScience Technology Center and Inorganic Synthesis Lab. She was awarded the AVS Dorothy M. and Earl S. Hoffman Travel Grant; Thomas and Yolanda Diasio Natural Sciences Scholarship Fund; and the NanoScience Technology Center Student Travel Award. Lee plans to graduate in May 2026, and to continue in a PhD program at a SURA member university.

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Georgia State University student Margie Stricklin's neuroscience courses taught her the impact of scientific research on people's lives. She was awarded the Georgia Research Alliance Scholars Award and the 2024 National Institute on Drug Abuse Internship. In addition to being a member of several academic societies, Stricklin volunteers in community programs such as Brighten A Day and GSU Panther Community Plunge. Stricklin plans to complete her undergraduate studies in May 2026, and pursue a PhD in Neuroscience at a SURA member university.