Meet our 2023 scholars

Future leaders from across the world were invited to apply to this prestigious program. This scholarship program received an overwhelming response from highly qualified applicants, and we are thrilled to introduce you to the 10 incredible students who were selected as 2023 scholarship recipients.

As part of this fully funded program, they engaged in an enriching online project-based course before traveling to Sweden to take part in an international field study and sessions at the 2023 Nobel Week Dialogue, an event that unites the planet's foremost scientists, policymakers, and intellectuals to explore global issues.

Additionally, these students had the extraordinary opportunity to showcase their projects in an exhibit at the Nobel Prize Museum.
“The Nobel dialogues were an unforgettable experience. This is definitely one of the biggest highlights of the program.”

Maria Alejandra Castaño
Bogota, Colombia


Ann Marie Flusche
Duke University School of Medicine ‘27

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Project topic: Alzheimer's research

Today, Alzheimer’s disease affects millions around the world. As a future physician, I will be able to directly care for AD patients in my community. However, improving patient outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients worldwide is an effort that must be tackled from multiple angles. I propose that we focus on a combination of education, research, and innovation efforts. 

Ann Marie Flusche
Duke University School of Medicine ‘27

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Project topic: Alzheimer's research

Today, Alzheimer’s disease affects millions around the world. As a future physician, I will be able to directly care for AD patients in my community. However, improving patient outcomes for Alzheimer’s patients worldwide is an effort that must be tackled from multiple angles. I propose that we focus on a combination of education, research, and innovation efforts. 

Bidhi Mandal
Babson College ‘24

Hometown: Janakpur, Nepal
Project Topic: Social venture funding

Lift Circle is a platform that allows people to empower social entrepreneurs from all over the world financially. It connects its users to charities and social enterprises that are executing cost-effective yet impactful ideas. Social entrepreneurs everywhere face a lot of challenges to acquire funding which makes solving critical issues difficult. By democratizing the process Lift Circle aims to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem all over the world. 

Carlinda Lee
Simon Fraser University '24

Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Project Topic: Equity

It’s 2023 and finally, the number of women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies exceeds the CEOs named John. Now, it’s not just women underrepresented in key leadership positions, but those from minority racial groups, lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and so on. What’s more, this expands beyond the corporate world, but across healthcare centers, the judicial system, and government where impactful, life-changing decisions are made daily, especially by those at the top. 

Maria Alejandra Castaño Garcia
Technical University of Munich '25

Hometown: Bogotá, Columbia
Project Topic: Biofuels and carbon capture 

My project centers on the conversion of greenhouse gases into valuable carbon sources, specifically bioethanol, an endeavor poised to reshape global development. First, the metabolic pathways of CO2-consuming organisms are studied to lay a strong foundation. Subsequently, engaging with professional researchers, companies, and industry experts interested in working on this project is crucial. Lastly, conducting a worldwide call for young researchers on an international scale will enable the creation of a diverse and multicultural team. This team will comprise researchers, bioeconomists, engineers, and industrial partners, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among global experts. 



Maria Alejandra Castaño Garcia
Technical University of Munich '25

Hometown: Bogotá, Columbia
Project Topic: Biofuels and carbon capture 

My project centers on the conversion of greenhouse gases into valuable carbon sources, specifically bioethanol, an endeavor poised to reshape global development. First, the metabolic pathways of CO2-consuming organisms are studied to lay a strong foundation. Subsequently, engaging with professional researchers, companies, and industry experts interested in working on this project is crucial. Lastly, conducting a worldwide call for young researchers on an international scale will enable the creation of a diverse and multicultural team. This team will comprise researchers, bioeconomists, engineers, and industrial partners, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among global experts. 

Maria Fernanda Garcia Verduzco
Universidad de Colima '23

Hometown: Colima City, Mexico
Project Topic: Mental health 

Access to mental health care is one of the crucial efforts for the development of our world and future. Many mental health issues can be treated, yet effective treatment coverage worldwide remains extremely low and there are disparities in the distribution of mental health resources and services, especially among vulnerable populations. 

To achieve this, we need to innovate ways to reach the unattended sectors of the population. This is a complex challenge that requires a multi-faceted approach, however, one of the key strategies that we can use is taking advantage of technology to massify services and reduce their costs. 

 


Maria Fernanda Garcia Verduzco
Universidad de Colima '23

Hometown: Colima City, Mexico
Project Topic: Mental health 

Access to mental health care is one of the crucial efforts for the development of our world and future. Many mental health issues can be treated, yet effective treatment coverage worldwide remains extremely low and there are disparities in the distribution of mental health resources and services, especially among vulnerable populations. 

To achieve this, we need to innovate ways to reach the unattended sectors of the population. This is a complex challenge that requires a multi-faceted approach, however, one of the key strategies that we can use is taking advantage of technology to massify services and reduce their costs. 

Mihaela Borta
University College Dublin '25

Hometown: Chişinău, Moldova
Project Topic: Gender equity in education

I am extremely passionate about encouraging dialogue on the topic of gender equality in education, particularly how we can empower women through access to quality education. 

Around 132 million girls worldwide are out of school, denying them the opportunity to develop their full potential and contribute to society. Discrimination in educational settings, such as limited resources and biased curricula, further hampers girls' educational opportunities. These barriers not only hinder individual development but also have wider social and economic implications. 



Mihaela Borta
University College Dublin '25

Hometown: Chişinău, Moldova
Project Topic: Gender equity in education

I am extremely passionate about encouraging dialogue on the topic of gender equality in education, particularly how we can empower women through access to quality education. 

Around 132 million girls worldwide are out of school, denying them the opportunity to develop their full potential and contribute to society. Discrimination in educational settings, such as limited resources and biased curricula, further hampers girls' educational opportunities. These barriers not only hinder individual development but also have wider social and economic implications. 

Nicolas Quijano Franco
Earlham College '23

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Project Topic: Decolonizing healthcare

In my role as a medical interpreter and an advocate for culturally competent care with Maori communities in Aotearoa, I've come to believe that preserving cultural customs and dismantling the legacy of colonization in healthcare is essential. Cultural practices hold essential wisdom for harmonious living with nature and one another. My work has led me to create teaching modules in cultural awareness, aiming for improved patient experiences. I believe that is now crucial to recognize colonial impacts, restore indigenous agency, and nurture cultural humility among healthcare providers. Integrating traditional healing and forging partnerships with indigenous communities follows suit.

 


Nicolas Quijano Franco
Earlham College '23

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Project Topic: Decolonizing healthcare

In my role as a medical interpreter and an advocate for culturally competent care with Maori communities in Aotearoa, I've come to believe that preserving cultural customs and dismantling the legacy of colonization in healthcare is essential. Cultural practices hold essential wisdom for harmonious living with nature and one another. My work has led me to create teaching modules in cultural awareness, aiming for improved patient experiences. I believe that is now crucial to recognize colonial impacts, restore indigenous agency, and nurture cultural humility among healthcare providers. Integrating traditional healing and forging partnerships with indigenous communities follows suit.


Selen Qarajeh
Princess Sumaya University for Technology '26

Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Project Topic: Education accessibility through electronic waste

Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world which places pressure on the environment. While the whole electronics industry should be re-designed to be more sustainable starting much earlier in the value chain, we can still benefit from hoarded devices. 

I propose joining existing efforts in providing world access to the internet and donating old devices to be reused for education, this will not only relieve the environment from fast-growing toxic waste but will also grant equitable quality education and continuous learning to marginalized communities. 

 


Selen Qarajeh
Princess Sumaya University for Technology '26

Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Project Topic: Education accessibility through electronic waste

Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world which places pressure on the environment. While the whole electronics industry should be re-designed to be more sustainable starting much earlier in the value chain, we can still benefit from hoarded devices. 

I propose joining existing efforts in providing world access to the internet and donating old devices to be reused for education, this will not only relieve the environment from fast-growing toxic waste but will also grant equitable quality education and continuous learning to marginalized communities. 

Sharmila Adapa
Vanderbilt University '26

Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Project Topic: Healthcare equity

Healthcare equity is the next big effort that is crucial to the development of our world and the future. Currently, our society is making huge leaps in our understanding of the human body and significant advancements in the application of novel technologies. However, as healthcare and medicine advance at such a rapid pace, they leave behind certain communities and individuals. Many of these innovations and treatments are inaccessible to large groups of those in need of them. To advance equity and justice, we must work to make medicine more accessible and allow treatments to reach the hands of those who need them. Increasing healthcare equity is integral to moving forward and growing together as a society. We are not able to truly grow and explore unless everyone can have their basic medical needs met and can live healthily.  

 


Sharmila Adapa
Vanderbilt University '26

Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Project Topic: Healthcare equity

Healthcare equity is the next big effort that is crucial to the development of our world and the future. Currently, our society is making huge leaps in our understanding of the human body and significant advancements in the application of novel technologies. However, as healthcare and medicine advance at such a rapid pace, they leave behind certain communities and individuals. Many of these innovations and treatments are inaccessible to large groups of those in need of them. To advance equity and justice, we must work to make medicine more accessible and allow treatments to reach the hands of those who need them. Increasing healthcare equity is integral to moving forward and growing together as a society. We are not able to truly grow and explore unless everyone can have their basic medical needs met and can live healthily.  

Tchofor Dick Nchang
St. Olaf College '25

Hometown: Bamenda, Cameroon
Project Topic: Health Economics of Gene Editing

In 1969, we put the first person on the moon. Despite the leap in aviation technology, there were a significant amount of plane crashes that year. Today, when we talk about gene therapy in the future of healthcare, one is still dismayed by the poor state of basic primary healthcare. Nowadays, however, plane crashes are unheard of and India just landed a spacecraft on the South Pole of the moon. So much for the moon.   

I use this juxtaposition to show that by preparing for the future–using curative gene therapies to cure blood-type diseases, we can unload the burden these diseases impose on populations and their economies. I believe this moonshot in gene therapies can land a big win for primary healthcare and improve our overall healthcare system. In 2016, I underwent a bone marrow transplant, witnessing firsthand the limitations and opportunities that abound. That inspired my current research into the Health Economics of Gene Editing: Making Curative Therapies Accessible Across High-Disease Burden Economies.





Tchofor Dick Nchang
St. Olaf College '25

Hometown: Bamenda, Cameroon
Project Topic: Health Economics of Gene Editing

In 1969, we put the first person on the moon. Despite the leap in aviation technology, there were a significant amount of plane crashes that year. Today, when we talk about gene therapy in the future of healthcare, one is still dismayed by the poor state of basic primary healthcare. Nowadays, however, plane crashes are unheard of and India just landed a spacecraft on the South Pole of the moon. So much for the moon.   

I use this juxtaposition to show that by preparing for the future–using curative gene therapies to cure blood-type diseases, we can unload the burden these diseases impose on populations and their economies. In 2016, I underwent a bone marrow transplant, witnessing firsthand the limitations and opportunities that abound. That inspired my current research into the Health Economics of Gene Editing: Making Curative Therapies Accessible Across High-Disease Burden Economies.
“The programme is one of a kind experience. It offers you the opportunity to meet and work with people who have the brightest minds and who have the true potential to change the world."

Mihaela Borta
Chisinau, Moldova