2015 Spring Luncheon

ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter held its annual meeting and luncheon on May 13 at the Piedmont Driving Club. The traditional close to the year began with Chapter President, Jane Dolinger, congratulating the 2014-2015 Board members on a job well done: “Each committee report illustrates once again how dynamic, productive, and successful our Chapter is at building support for outstanding scholars in science and technology.”

The highlight of the event consisted of brief presentations by four of Atlanta Chapter’s current scholars, each representing a different academic partner. Jessica Knight of Emory University, talked about her research on the long-term effects of congenital heart disease. Temi Olubanjo, a fourth year electrical engineering student at Georgiaâ€¨Tech, reported on her work toward developing of a piece of “wearable technology” that will be able to estimate the amount and texture of food being consumed to assist in reaching a healthy balance between energy intake and expenditure. Steven Summers, a chemistry major who graduates from Morehouse College this year, described a summer research project which focused on a peptide hormone known to regulate body weight and appetite, and play a role in the regulation of autonomic physiological activities that control blood pressure. Finally, Farah Samli, a first year ARCS scholar studying infectious disease at the University of Georgia, has focused her research on vaccines.

The highlight of the event consisted of brief presentations by four of Atlanta Chapter’s current scholars, each representing a different academic partner. Jessica Knight of Emory University, talked about her research on the long-term effects of congenital heart disease. Temi Olubanjo, a fourth year electrical engineering student at Georgia Tech, reported on her work toward developing of a piece of “wearable technology” that will be able to estimate the amount and texture of food being consumed to assist in reaching a healthy balance between energy intake and expenditure. Steven Summers, a chemistry major who graduates from Morehouse College this year, described a summer research project which focused on a peptide hormone known to regulate body weight and appetite, and play a role in the regulation of autonomic physiological activities that control blood pressure. Finally, Farah Samli, a first year ARCS scholar studying infectious disease at the University of Georgia, has focused her research on vaccines.

Michelle Wells

Clare Whitfield

Elizabeth Spiegel and Deede Stephenson

Ann Klamon and Ginny Plummer

Sylvia Dick and Lee Doyle

Lynne Land and Yetty Arp

Linda Kay McGowan, Pat Tuff, and Sylvia Dick

Sally Boice, Special Events Chair, and UGA Scholar Farah Samli

San Diego ARCS Scholar Comment

"Through my long (and sometime circuitous) educational path of earning my Ph.D. and now my M.D., I have heard of many scholarship programs, but none so generous as yours..... Receiving this award provides me with a huge external affirmation that lets me know my hard work is recognized..... Just taking a few moments to talk with several other Scholars about their work, I was amazed by the breadth of scientific studies that your foundation supports. It is clear that many of these research projects will have a direct impact on the health of individuals, our quality of life, and on the well-being of our planet. I commend your group for its vision and its mission."

To Quote a Scholar: Benjamin Wiseman

"I hustle to make sure that my expenses are covered, often working part-time jobs to make ends meet. Receiving this award means that I can place greater focus on my academic research work."

2024 Helen Jones Farrar ARCS Scholar Ben Wiseman quantifies nematodes to study soil health and explores new cover crops as an effective, sustainable way to control the pest in sweet potato fields.

Thanks From Scholar Emily Bethea

The debt associated with higher education can be overwhelming. As I continue to talk with classmates and friends I realize how truly fortunate I am to have had your generous support which allowed me to take liberties in research and clinical exposure as I progressed through medical school. I think sometimes donations can seem small, or because they are intangible hard to associate with real gain --- I want to make very clear how much I benefited from your generosity. On a daily basis things were easier, meaning I could focus on learning and not worry constantly about how I was going to structure my financial plan. It also allowed me to consider a career path in primary care, and not feel anxious about paying back the large amount of debt I have still accrued. Importantly, it was beneficial to meet and learn from such an extraordinary group of women and supporters. Watching people come together throughout the year was such a touching experience; I believe it was integral to my development to see everyone fighting for something they so strongly believe in. I can’t thank you enough, please know that I'll be able to make more of a difference in the lives of others because you were thoughtful enough to make the difference in mine. I'm still on board, let's keep working to advance science in America!

2015 Spring Luncheon

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