Congratulations to the 20 students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support 13 student-driven projects!

Empowering Sustainable Family Nutrition
Sara Clokey ’26, Applied Data Analysis, CLAS; Communication, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Justin Evanovich, Educational Leadership

The Cultural Blind Spot Podcast on Religion, Culture, and Healthcare
Hailey DeWalt ’26, Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Crystal Park, Psychological Sciences

Foster Care to Campus Care
Charisma Farrington ’26, Psychological Sciences, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Eric Rice, Music

Empowering Early Adolescents Through Menstrual Education in Connecticut
Mishael Gill ’27, Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: M. Mick Powell, Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Bridging the Gap: A Pilot Program in Transportation Equity and Resource Empowerment
Charli Hughes ’28, Computer Science, ENG; Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Nathaniel Rickles, Pharmacy

Smiles for All: Empowering Families Through Oral Hygiene Emphasis and Availability
Melody Kettle ’28, Nutritional Sciences, CAHNR; Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Anne Kim, Honors Program

Autism-Informed Menstrual Education: Creating a Sensory Friendly Program
Elizabeth Ly ’26, Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR
Mentor: Dr. Tara Lutz, Public Health Sciences

Home Away From Home: Building the Stamford Commuter Experience
Ceylon Siriwardene ’27, Human Development & Family Sciences, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Laura Bunyan, Sociology

2026 Rare Disease Day Symposium at Storrs
Anthony Zuo ’27, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS; Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Sinder, Orthopedic Surgery

Student Health Literacy Conference
Andrei Abarientos ’26, Pathobiology, CAHNR; Sociology, CLAS
Chloe Lu ’28, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS
Alana Modi ’28, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Anton Alerte, Pediatrics

Silent Pillars: Recognizing the Hands That Hold UConn Together
Ricardo Andrade ’28, Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR
Pierrette Lusamba Cisasayi ’28, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS
Tanisha Varkala ’28, Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: Dr. Jaci Van Heest, Educational Psychology

Living Learning Lab: Water Flow and Filter Prototype
Eveleen Jiang ’26, Landscape Architecture, CAHNR
Lauren Marze ’28, Environmental Engineering, ENG
Simba Zhang ’26, Landscape Architecture, CAHNR
Mentors: Dr. Mariana Fragomeni and Dr. Mia Maltz, Plant Science & Landscape Architecture

Building Agency in Connecticut’s Kids (BACK)
Sugita Mahendarkar ’27, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS
Ira Sunderraj ’26, Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR
Mentor: Cassandra Setzler, Student Health and Wellness (SHaW)

Congratulations to the three students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Improving Education About Health Assessment of the Neurodivergent Pediatric Population
Lauren Canniff ’26 (Nursing, NUR), Storrs
Mentor: Dr. Carrie Eaton (Nursing)

Sustain the Cycle: Redefining Period Care for Worcester’s Uninsured Population
Suheera Haq ’26 (Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS; IMJR: Social Determinants of Women’s Healthcare, CLAS), Storrs
Mentor: Dr. Christina Ross (Nursing)

Analysis and Identification of Cannabinoid Content in Cannabidiol Product Samples Using High-Performance Liquidchromatography in Comparison to Product Labels
Colby LeGault ’27 (Plant Science, CAHNR), Storrs
Mentor: Dr. Gerald Berkowitz (Plant Science & Landscape Architecture)

Congratulations to the six students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

First-Generation Favors: A Leadership Dinner
Zachary Boudah ’25 (Political Science, CLAS; English, CLAS), Avery Point
Mentor: Randall Paterson (Student Activities, UConn Avery Point Campus)

Willimantic Pop-Up Healthcare Clinic Resource Hallway
Cameron Costa ’26 (Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS), Storrs
Mentor: Dr. Jaci Van Heest (Educational Psychology; Public Health Learning Community)

Flow Without Barriers: Advocating for Menstrual Equity for Refugee and Immigrant Communities
Damini Lakshmipathy ’25 (Molecular & Cell Biology), Storrs
Mentor: Meg Marshall (Community Outreach)

Knowledge of Serious Infections in Children Amongst Black Parents in the United States
Jahmiha Lindo ’25 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR), Storrs
Mentor: Dr. Mallory Perry-Eaddy (Nursing)

Testing the Effectiveness of Phytoremediation of Urban Lead-Polluted Soils by Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L)
Zaira O’Leary ’25 (Sustainable Plant & Soil Systems, CAHNR), Storrs
Anastasia Serating ’27 (Sustainable Plant & Soil Systems, CAHNR), Storrs
Mentor: Dr. Mia Maltz (Plant Science & Landscape Architecture)

Congratulations to the four students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Harnessing Phosphorus: Developing Processes for Extracting and Recycling Phosphorus From Multiple Forms of Waste Resources
Brenny Alcantara ’27, Environmental Sciences, CLAS - Waterbury Campus
Mentor: Sandra Hill Chemistry

Pop-up Healthcare Clinic in Willimantic, Connecticut
Brooke Divasto ’25, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS - Storrs Campus
Mentor: Miguel Colon Student Activities

Foundations for Success: Bridging Home and Campus Life - A Grant Application for Kitchen Essentials for UConn Stamford Independent Living
Karlie Krasowski ’27, Psychological Sciences, CLAS - Stamford Campus
Tiarra Shaw ’27, ACES, CLAS - Stamford Campus
Mentor: Laura Bunyan Sociology

Congratulations to the nine students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Promoting Environmental Justice: A Mixed-Method Approach to Identifying Socioeconomic Disparities in Urban Park Systems
Aidan Caron ’24 (Geographic Information Systems & Political Science, CLAS)
Mentor: Dr. Peter Chen (Geography)

Ethnic Studies Consortium: Capacity Building for an Anti-Racist, Decolonial Future at UConn
Karen Lau ’25 (Economics & History, CLAS)
Mentor: Dr. Anna Mae Duane (English & UConn Humanities Institute)

Grass Be Gone: Bringing Native Plants and Effective Stormwater Management to UConn
Trevor Donahue ’25 (Anthropology & Environmental Studies, CLAS)
Indigo Irwin, Dec ‘24 (Anthropology, CLAS)
Amanda Stowe ‘26 (Environmental Sciences, CAHNR)
Mentor: Dr. Eleanor Ouimett (Anthropology)

Naloxone Education Campaign
Ashley Klancko ’25 (Pharmacy Studies, PHARM)
Grace Vaidian ’24 (IMJR: Drugs, Disease, and Illness & Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)
Mentor: Ashlee Stone, PharmD (UConn SHaW)

Tolland County Robotics Foundation FIRST Lego League Explore Expansion
Youssef Macary ’25 (Management, BUS)
Laxmi Vobbineni ’26 (Biomedical Engineering, ENG)
Mentor: Dr. Adrian Weidmann (Engineering)

Congratulations to the three students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

The Husky Hangout: Rethinking the Way We Eat Ice Cream
Elisabeth Helmin ’24 (Landscape Architecture, CAHNR)
Mentor: Dr. Mariana Fragomeni (Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture)

Tolland County Robotics Foundation
Youssef Macary ’25 (Management, BUS)
Mentor: Dr. Ryan Coles (Management)

Growing Green: UConn Experimental Garden
Mia Tunucci ’24 (Landscape Architecture, CAHNR)
Mentor: Dr. Mariana Fragomeni (Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture)

Congratulations to the five students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Financial Literacy Week: Invest in Your Future
Bridget Abril ’24 (Political Science and Economics, CLAS)
Nidhi Jayakumar Nair ’23 (Economics and Mathematics/Statistics, CLAS)
Mentor: Thomas Miceli (Economics)

Providing High School Students with Personal Hygiene Kits
Iqra Asif ’24 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR)
Sadie Olechnowich ’24 (Psychological Sciences, CLAS)
Mentor: Jenn Longa (Dean of Students Office)

Material World: Design for a Healthful and Equitable Future
Cameron Slocum, Dec. ’23 (Art, SFA)
Mentor: Christopher Sancomb (Art & Art History)

Congratulations to the 11 students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

A Holistic Approach to Facilitating College Readiness
Alexandra Goldhamer ’23 (Molecular & Cell Biology and Human Rights, CLAS)
Mentor: Christina Irizarry, UConn College Access and Preparation Program

Rest is Revolution: UConn’s Week of Reflection
Shelby Houghton ’22 (Political Science and Human Rights, CLAS)
Mentor: César Abadía-Barrero, Anthropology and Human Rights

Aquaponics System for Spring Valley Student Farm
Justin Amengual ’22 (Chemical Engineering, ENG)
Emily Miller ’22 (Chemical Engineering, ENG)
Kaylee Walsh ’22 (Chemical Engineering, ENG)
Mentor: Kristina Wagstrom, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Community-Based Climate Adaptation Planning Based in Equity and Engagement
Sydney Collins ’23 (Environmental Sciences, CLAS)
Harrison Raskin ’23 (Urban & Community Studies and Philosophy, CLAS)
Mentor: Bruce Hyde, Extension and UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR)

Project Clean Surf: Prototyping an Eco-Friendly Surfboard Core Made From Recycled Ocean Plastic
Amelia Martin ’23 (Environmental Studies, CAHNR)
Alexander Pericolosi ’23 (Chemical Engineering, ENG)
Mentor: Christopher Sancomb, Art & Art History

Reviving Recipes, Rethinking Our Food System: A Community Cookbook Project for Connecticut Shoreline Residents
Seema Patel ’22 (Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS)
Sarah Platt ’22 (Biological Sciences, CLAS)
Mentor: Phoebe Godfrey, Sociology

Congratulations to the two students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Exploring Food Insecurity in Vermont During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Margaret Chafouleas ’22
Environmental Studies, CLAS; Journalism, CLAS
Mentor: Steven Smith, Journalism

Bridging the Gap: Exploring Political Polarization in the UConn Student Body
Musa Hussain ’23
Sociology, CLAS
Mentor: Michael Morrell, Political Science

Congratulations to the two students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Embedding STEM Education in Medicine
Alex Clonan ’22, Electrical Engineering, ENG; Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS
Mentor: Stephany Santos Engineering Diversity & Outreach Center

GloHub: An Educational Platform to Revolutionize the Global Health Space
Amisha Paul ’22, Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS; Economics, CLAS
Mansi Dhond ’22, Cognitive Science, CLAS
Mentor: John Redden Physiology & Neurobiology

Congratulations to the seven students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Women in STEM Symposium
Anisha Jain ’22 (Pathobiology, CAHNR)
Mentor: Xinnian Chen, Physiology & Neurobiology

DVCC STEM Program: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching STEM
Sarah Tsuruo ’21 (Biological Sciences, CLAS)
Mentor: Mick Powell, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Redefining Perception of Ability
Kaitlin Girardini ’21 (Biological Sciences, Anthropology, CLAS)
Carly Malesky ’21 (Physiology & Neurobiology, Psychological Sciences, CLAS)
Mentor: Erin McMahon, Community Outreach

UConn KDSAP’s Initiative to Promote Kidney Health Awareness in Youth Populations
Maria Guerrero ’21 (Biological Sciences, CLAS)
James He ’21 (Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS)
Serena Verma ’21 (Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS)
Mentor: Maria Luz-Fernandez, Nutritional Sciences

Congratulations to the seven students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants to support their student-driven projects!

Urban Impact Career Development Program
Cassidy Fawcett ’21 (Political Science, CLAS)
Mentor: Brianna Gavigan, Student Activities

On-Campus Composting: Creating an Opportunity for Students to Choose Where their Food Waste Goes
Rebecca Feldman ’21 (Civil Engineering, ENG)
Mentor: Julia Cartabiano, UConn Spring Valley Student Farm

Students Like Me: Creating More Representation in Advanced Placement Classes
Michael Hernandez ’22 (Political Science, Economics, CLAS)
Mentor: Dr. Frederick Roden, English

Are Depression Screening Tools Effective for Young Adults with Symptoms of Autism?
Aditi Sirsikar ’22 (Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS)
Mentor: Dr. Inge-Marie Eigsti, Psychological Sciences

Connecticut Environmental Action Day Digital Kits: Making a Lasting Impact on Students and the Environment
Maggi Anstett ’22 (Agriculture & Natural Resources, CAHNR)
Margaret Sanders ’22 (Environmental Sciences, CLAS)
Madeline Williams ’20 (Structural Biology & Biophysics, CLAS)
Mentor: Jennifer Cushman, UConn Extension

Congratulations to the four students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowships to support their student-driven projects!

First Aid in the Field: A Community Health Program for Migrant Workers in Connecticut
Mitali Banerjee ’20 (Physiology & Neurobiology, CLAS; Molecular & Cell Biology, CLAS)

Private Boarding High School vs. Public High School LGBTQIA+ Faculty Leaders Knowledge Surrounding LGBTQIA+ Issues: A Comparative Case Study
Taylor Endress ’20 (Social Work, SSW)

Investigating University Staff’s Perspectives on Sexual Aggression Prevention and Education for Asian Students
Jennifer Koo ’20 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR; Sociology, CLAS)

860 Xcel Summer Program
Alison Ramirez-Cahuana ’22 (Mathematic -Actuarial Science-Finance, CLAS)

Congratulations to the four students awarded UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowships to support their student-driven projects!

Hartford United – A Pilot Soccer Program for High School Students
Erdit Abedini ’21 (ACES)

Level of Acculturation and Hispanic Children’s Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: A Study to Understand and Help Prevent Childhood Obesity
Madeline Beckman ’19 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR)

Addressing Childhood Obesity by Improving Personal Factors and Language Acquisition in Middle School Students: Implementing a Bilingual, Hands-On, Gardening, Cooking, and Nutrition Education Program
Celeste Kurz ’19 (Nutritional Sciences, CAHNR)

Racial and Generational Influences on the Usage of Chinese Alternative Medicine compared to American
Pharmaceutical Treatments
Maria Latta ’20 (Pre-Pharmacy, ACES)