Beckman Scholars Program

The Beckman Scholars Program is funded by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation to provide funding and support for selected full-time undergraduate students in the Biology and Chemistry Departments at Western Washington University to engage in a robust independent laboratory research experience under expert faculty mentorship. This program spans three years (2025-2028) and will name two Beckman Scholar/Mentor teams each Spring, starting in Spring 2025. Scholars will receive a generous stipend, funding for supplies and travel to conferences, and an amazing opportunity to pursue their research interests and foster leadership and inclusion in their fields.

Student Stipend: $18,200

• First Summer - $6,800
• Academic Year - $4,600
• Second Summer - $6,800

Student Scientific Supply and Travel - $2,800

Undergraduate student applicants:

• Awarded scholars must be a declared major in Biology or (Bio)Chemistry (as Phase II) by May 8, 2025. 
• Must be a full-time student and remain in good academic standing.
• Must commit to a research project that will span two consecutive summers and the entire academic year in between (June 2025-August 2026).
• Must display clear evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a United States citizen, a permanent resident of the United States or its possessions or hold DACA recipient status.
• Must contact a Beckman Scholars Faculty Mentor (listed at bottom of page) prior to submitting an application to discuss the program, research project, and program commitments. A Beckman Scholars Faculty mentor must agree to mentor any student submitting an application.
• Must be willing and able to adhere to the Beckman Scholars Program Requirements.

• Work closely with their faculty mentor to develop plans and timelines for the research being conducted, scheduled reviews, conference attendance, local or national scientific meetings and the annual Beckman Symposium.
• Interested and able to participate in a mentored research project fulltime for ten weeks during Summer 2025 & Summer 2026 and a minimum of ten hours per week during Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and Spring 2026 academic quarters
• Participate and present your research at WWU Scholars Week in Spring 2026
• Perform a nine-month Review: After the first 9-months of the program is completed, students will write up their data and propose specific aims for the remaining 6 months. The written proposal will include hypotheses, methodology, troubleshooting, timeline, and budget if applicable. Scholars will present their proposals in front of several Beckman Mentors to receive guidance and build oral communication and presentation skills.
• Submit a final written thesis: Students will complete a written thesis of the work performed throughout the program in peer-reviewed publication format. This will also include a one-page self-reflection on the work and the impact of the program on their ideas about science.
• Submit a final report to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation in Summer 2026

• Phase I applications due: February 21, 2025
• Phase I finalists notified: Mid March 
• Phase II interviews: Early April
• Scholar/Mentor teams announced: Late April
• 15-month Program begins: Early June 2025

Selection Criteria: there are no minimum GPA requirements for applicants

Application components and process: Phase I and II. All applicants must submit Phase I materials. Select applicants from Phase I will move onto Phase II for final determination of the 2 student awardees.

• Phase I materials must be submitted electronically by sending a PDF(s) of application materials to Biology Professor and Chair Lynn Pillitteri, pillitl@wwu.edu by the application deadline. Essay rubric can be found here.
  • An essay (maximum 4 pages, single spaced, 1.5 inch margins, 12pt font) that describes:
    • your educational and career goals and the role participating in undergraduate research would play in your educational journey including intention to pursue an advanced science degree or other scientific pursuits.
    • your research experience (research experience could be through either classroom or faculty laboratories) and how it motivates your application.
    • any activities/groups in which you have taken on a leadership or mentor role and the skills developed from these roles.
    • how you plan to promote the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in your work as a Beckman Scholar and your career.
    • proposed research project with timeline that you will pursue in your Beckman Scholar Mentor’s lab.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV)
  • An annotated unofficial transcript for you to identify courses you found valuable to your research goals.
• Phase II:
  • Phase I finalists and their mentors will be invited to an in-person interview for Phase II with a 3–4 member faculty panel to present a 5-10 minute presentation on any past research topic and/or on their proposed research that will include their timeline and mentor-mentee goals and expectations.
  • Students will be asked to comment on their future career plans and intention of earning an advanced degree.

Biology:

• Dr. Lina Dahlberg
• Dr. Nick Galati
• Dr. Laura Pillay
• Dr. Dan Pollard
• Dr. Annelise Snyder
• Dr. Adrienne Wang

Chemistry:

• Dr. Jeanine Amacher
• Dr. John Antos
• Dr. Ying Bao
• Dr. Sierra Cullati
• Dr. Amanda Murphy
• Dr. Serge Smirnov