The STAR Scholars Program is a competitive program offered by the Pennoni Honors College to first-year students with an interest in research.

The STAR Scholars Program allows first-year students to participate in faculty-mentored research, scholarship, or creative work during the summer after their freshman year. STAR Students will work full-time during the summer term while living on campus and earning a $3,500 stipend.

This program provides opportunities for students to get to know faculty, explore a major area of research, and gain practical skills and valuable research experience.

Meet a Biomed STAR Scholar

Rising Sophomore Alison Kane (Advisor: Dr. Joseph Sarver) describes her experience tackling advanced research as a STAR Scholar

Rising Sophomore Ryan Benjamin (Advisor: Dr. Sri Balasubramanian) describes his experience tackling advanced research as a STAR Scholar

Rising Sophomore Danika Meldrum (Advsior: Dr. Margaret Wheatley) describes her experience tackling advanced research as a STAR Scholar

Meet a Biomed iSTAR Scholar

Rising Sophomore Arun Balaji
(Advsior: Dr. Sri Balasubramanian) describes his experience tackling advanced research internationally as an iSTAR Scholar

Rising Sophomore Brandon Gordon (Advsior: Dr. Sri Balasubramanian) describes his experience tackling advanced research internationally as an iSTAR Scholar

The faculty in the School are actively involved in multi-disciplinary and often multi-institutional research. Biomed STAR Scholars have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty from academic and medical institutions in the Philadelphia area. Past Biomed STAR Scholars have participated in research with faculty from the following institutions:

• Shriner's Hosptial for Children
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Indian Institute of Technology – Madras
• CONQUER Collaborative
• ZSX Medical Device Company
• University of Pennsylvania – School of Veterinary Medicine
• Drexel College of Medicine Department of Microbiology & Immunology
• Drexel Plasma Institute
• Implant Research Center

ASPIRE Scholars

Aspire Scholars are part of a small, selective group of sophomores who receive the opportunity to further develop their goals as they seek to clarify their plans for making the most of their time at Drexel and beyond. Learn more about the students in this program through their self-written bios below!

Eva Kraus

BS Biomedical Engineering

Eva Elizabeth Kraus is pursing both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Drexel University, graduating in 2025. She has a passion for problem solving and entrepreneurship and hopes to take these skills with her in the next stages of her career. With experience in both robotics and laboratory research, biotechnology and human health are her current focal points. As an Aspire Scholar, Eva is excited to hone her interests and talents into a more defined project that can make a greater difference. She is also looking forward to building connections with her fellow cohort members.

In addition to academics, Eva stays busy as the Vice President of Marketing of TEDxDrexelU, the Secretary of Engineers Without Borders, and a host on Drexel Television’s student news show, “Inside Ambition.” You can also find her in MacAlister Hall as a violinist in the Drexel University Symphony Orchestra.

Griffin Stein

BS Biomedical Engineering '25, Honors

Griffin Stein is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering with a concentration in neuroengineering, and is planning to minor in psychology. In the 2021 STAR Scholars program, he participated in neuroengineering research with mentor Dr. Hasan Ayaz, examining the prefrontal cortex activity of children with autism spectrum disorder using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Currently, he is on his first cooperative education experience at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, working on neuromuscular clinical research. He hopes that these experiences and more throughout his time at Drexel will allow for clearer academic and career goals. Griffin is interested in pursuing a career focused on studying neurological disorders, but is unsure which avenue this will take, whether with patients or in a lab. Through the Aspire Scholars program, he is grateful to have a cohort of other students, alumni, and faculty to expand his knowledge of the field and the opportunities available. He is excited that Aspire will allow him to not only grow professionally, but to learn more about himself as a student and a person.