The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation announced that biochemistry major Tara Young has been named to the 2023 class of Astronaut Scholars. Young will be honored along with more than 60 other Astronaut Scholars throughout the U.S. at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s Innovators Week & Gala on August 16-19, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.
The Astronaut Scholarship is offered to junior and senior-year college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The process begins with nominations from professors or faculty members. Upon selection, each student receives a scholarship of up to $15,000 and is officially named an Astronaut Scholar. Other benefits include: networking and mentoring opportunities with astronauts, alumni and industry leaders; participation in the Michael Collins Family Professional Development Program; and a paid trip to attend ASF’s Innovators Week & Gala featuring the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence, which provides an opportunity for the Astronaut Scholars to present their research at a technical conference.
Young is a rising junior Interdisciplinary Honors student majoring in biochemistry and minoring in bioethics. She conducts protein biochemistry research, interrogating the recruitment of topoisomerases, essential DNA replication proteins, in Assistant Professor Monica Guo’s group (Microbiology)
"At the Guo Lab at the University of Washington, I create and implement new ways to 'see' the molecular machinery that manages the genome," explains Young, who is interested in learning more about mechanisms of DNA replication, repair, and gene expression, and their role in the development of disease. This summer Young will continue her independent research project in the Guo lab uncovering mechanisms in DNA replication.
She added, "In the future, I intend to attend an MD/Ph.D. program to explore protein biochemistry, to continue to innovate in this field, and ultimately improve patient care."
"The 2023 Class of Astronaut Scholars is truly exceptional and embodies the passion, dedication and innovation that will propel us into the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics," said Caroline Schumacher, ASF’s president and CEO. "We are excited to support these outstanding individuals in their endeavors and cannot wait to witness their achievements as the game-changers of tomorrow."
About Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Created in 1984, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) awarded its first seven scholarships in honor of its founding members, the Mercury 7 Astronauts — Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. Each founding member sponsored a $1,000 scholarship and began to fundraise to support future scholarships by donating proceeds from their speaking engagements. The incredible efforts of these legends have shaped ASF’s mission to support and reward exceptional college students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Over the past 39 years, more than $8.3 million has been awarded to nearly 800 students.
ASF is an Orlando-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit commemorating the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts. ASF partners with industry leaders, universities, and individual donors to achieve its mission of supporting and rewarding exceptional college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.