February 15, 2013

Melanie Jeske (Economics/Environmental Studies/Science, Technology, and Society, BS/MS, PHC ’15) is this year’s Drexel nominee for the Udall Scholarship. Mel is interested in the intersection of human and environmental health and plans to work in public health policy in low-wealth urban areas.

In addition to her academic achievements, Mel has taken on leadership roles in the Drexel Sierra Club, the Honors Student Advisory Committee (HSAC), the Drexel Economics Society and as an undergraduate researcher.

As Vice President of the Drexel Sierra Club she initiated educational “term campaigns”, which focus on different environmental issues each term. Through her leadership, the Honors Student Advisory Committee was completely restructured and is now a thriving student organization, which makes significant contributions to the Pennoni Honors College.

Mel is also an outstanding young researcher: she participated in the STAR program (under Dr. Bien) and has been collaborating with Dr. Christian Hunold on a research project on the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. This work will result in a book chapter to be published by the University of Wisconsin Press. Mel is now proposing a community based health project in the Mantua neighborhood together with Dr. Hunold and Dr. Yvonne Michael.

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The Udall Scholarship awards 50 scholarships of up to $5000 and 50 honorable mentions to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.  The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics.  Find out more at the Udall scholarship website.

For more information email Cindy Schaarschmidt, Asst. Director of the Fellowships Office.