Mitesh Shridhar, a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder majoring in both biochemistry and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, has been awarded the prestigious Marshall Scholarship for graduate study in the United Kingdom.
Beginning in the fall of 2010, Shridhar will study for one year at Cambridge University toward a Master of Philosophy degree in the department of pharmacology.
After a rigorous application process and interview before a panel of Marshall commissioners at the British Consulate-General in Houston, Shridhar said he was thrilled but surprised when he received an early morning phone call informing him of the Marshall Scholarship offer.
"It was a quick phone call," said Shridhar. "I'm not even sure what she was saying the whole time but then I woke up and got the corresponding e-mail and thought, 聭Hey I didn't dream it. That's awesome.' "
Shridhar is CU-Boulder's sixth Marshall Scholar. Up to 40 U.S. citizens annually are chosen for the scholarship program that began in 1953 and pays for one to three years of graduate education in any field of study, including travel and living expenses, at the British institution of their choosing. The scholarships are intended to enable intellectually distinguished young Americans to study in the United Kingdom and to increase understanding between the two countries.
"We're very proud to have Mitesh representing the University of Colorado," said Deborah Viles, top scholarships adviser at CU-Boulder. "His talent, motivation and preparation embody the ideals of the Marshall Scholarship and also reflect the wealth of opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional development available on our campus."
Shridhar has distinguished himself during his career at CU-Boulder with a number of scholarships including the Boettcher Scholarship, the National Merit Scholarship and the Norlin Scholarship. Shridhar has received grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and CU-Boulder's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. He also has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest academic honor society.
Shridhar has co-authored papers and worked for three years in the CU-Boulder lab of Distinguished Professor Linda Watkins studying mechanisms of pain. His science acumen has landed Shridhar teaching assistant positions, a role Shridhar says has deepened his understanding of the material he guides others through.
From the age of eight, Shridhar has been a competitive chess player and has achieved a United States Chess Federation rating of 2087. Shridhar says in addition to the upcoming opportunities at Cambridge University to delve into science, meet new people, live near London and experience tea, he is looking forward to joining the local chess scene.
For more information on the Marshall Scholarship visit / . To learn more about scholarships, fellowships and awards at CU-Boulder visit /.