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Baylor BU Office of Engaged Learning Leadership Programs The Provost's Scholars Program 2025 Provost's Scholars
  • Learning for the World
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2025 Provost's Scholars

Princesa Alvarez

Princesa Alvarez

Princesa Alvarez is a Health Science Studies major with a minor in Spanish on the pre-medical track. Guided by a strong desire to serve others and promote equity in healthcare. As a McNair Research Scholar, she has conducted research in genetic engineering and microbiology at the Baylor Department of Biology under Dr. Kearney. She will also be conducting skeletal muscle research under Dr. Dungan At Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, reinforcing her passion for scientific inquiry and its impact. Through the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), she interned at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and supported local health initiatives in Houston. She serves as a mentor in the First in Line Student Academy, where she has helped first-generation college students navigate the transition to university life, and as a Trailblazer Scholar, she promotes a commitment to advancing intercultural maturity. In addition to her academic and mentoring roles, Princesa is the President of the Baylor Triathlon Club, encouraging community and perseverance among student-athletes. Her volunteer work includes service through the Community Outreach Initiative Service Committee with Baylor Scott & White Hospital and the Spanish Kids Ministry at Antioch Community Church. After graduation, she plans to pursue an MD with a continued focus on compassionate care and inclusive service.

Sahil Billakanti

Sahil Billakanti

Sahil Billakanti is a senior Neuroscience major with a minor in Biochemistry. Sahil currently serves as the Vice President of Membership for Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-health honor society, and as the Director of External Partnerships for the Pre-Health Mentors. He is also an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Vichaya’s psychoneuroimmunology lab, where he studies the long-term effects of chemotherapy on brain structure and cognitive function. Besides his on-campus commitments, Sahil volunteers at the Salvation Army thrift store and works with ESL students through La Puerta. After graduation, he hopes to attend medical school and learn new ways to provide for his community as a prospective physician. He is excited to be a Provost’s Scholar and find new ways to help improve the Baylor community.
 

Jackson Boone

Jackson Boone

Jackson is from Calvert City, Kentucky and studies mechanical engineering with a minor in political science. He is a member of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Corps, a William Carey Crane Scholar, and Internal Vice President for Baylor Ambassadors. He recently interned in Washington DC for Congressman James Comer enriching his understanding for his community. He hopes to return to western Kentucky to work as an engineer and serve the community he has called home his whole life.

Julianna Canas

Julianna Canas

Julianna Canas is a senior Biology major with a minor in Leadership Studies. She works as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Cheolho Sims’ medical entomology lab, studying foundational genetics in mosquitoes, particularly genes linked to fertility, to inform future approaches to disease and vector control. She also serves as President of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in STEM at Baylor. She is committed to helping students pursue their career goals while growing in their culturally unique identities. While on the board, the SACNAS chapter received its first national award for promoting cultural celebration and belonging in Fall 2024 and is pursuing another recognition for this year. Outside of school, she mentors young students from underserved communities through Mission Waco, serves as co-alumni chair with the La Salle Fire Foundation, and participates in local events like Waco ScienceFest and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fundraisers. In summer 2025, she will join Dr. Clifton Huang’s clinical research lab at Cook Children’s Medical Center to study Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in pediatric patients. After graduation, she plans to pursue an MD with the goal of becoming a pediatric physician focused on autoimmune disorders and early care for children.

Nicole Day

Nicole Day

Nicole is a senior Baylor Business Fellow with majors in Economics and Finance and a minor in Spanish. In the fall of 2024, Nicole studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she took university courses while engaging with the community by teaching ESL to adults from diverse backgrounds. She also explored Spanish culture by participating in a flamenco dance class. She has interned with the Alamance County Dream Center, where she supported new immigrants through English language instruction, citizenship preparation, business training, and general community support. She also interned with the Executive Office of the Waco Foundation, where she conducted research on the needs of the Waco community and helped evaluate effective strategies for distributing funds to local nonprofits. These experiences have strengthened her passion for community-focused economic development, particularly in bridging the gap between underserved populations and access to business resources. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in economic development, with the goal of supporting small businesses, enhancing access to resources, and fostering sustainable community prosperity.

Rajiv Edara

Rajiv Edara

Rajiv Edara is a senior from Chicago, IL, and Chennai, India, double majoring in Medical Humanities and International Studies with minors in Poverty Studies & Social Justice and Political Science. He is passionate about advancing community-centered care and addressing systemic disparities through service, education, and public health. Rajiv serves as a Mentor and the President of Baylor Buddies, a mentorship program committed to fostering meaningful relationships with at-risk elementary and middle school students in Waco. He is also the President of the Global Health Student Network, a student organization that promotes global health awareness through education, advocacy, and service. Additionally, he has served as a Learning Assistant in the Baylor Biology Department, facilitating and teaching introductory biology courses with Dr. Oladapo. As a Provost Scholar, Rajiv hopes to advance human flourishing at Baylor by empowering others through service-driven leadership that addresses disparities and advocates for underserved populations.

Alyssa Flores

Alyssa Flores

Alyssa Flores is a senior Psychology major with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is an intern at Baylor Scott & White's Neuropsychology department. At Baylor, she serves as a member of the Honor Council Committee and is the Secretary of Psi Chi Honor Society. She is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Phi, and Psychology Club. Additionally, she is a McNair Scholar and currently works as a research assistant for Dr. Michael Scullin in the Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition Lab. Upon graduation, Alyssa hopes to pursue her PhD in clinical psychology with a concentration in neuroscience.

Mason Gregory

Mason Gregory

Mason Gregory is a Public Health major at Baylor University with a focus on global health equity, civic leadership, and cross-cultural education. He works in the Study Abroad Office as a Peer Advisor, helping students access global learning opportunities and promoting cross-cultural engagement. His research explores vaccine hesitancy and social determinants of health. Mason has presented on cultural humility at student leadership conferences and supports international students and migrants through his roles as a Global Ambassador and ESL Teaching Assistant. In Baylor Student Government, he leads initiatives to expand public transportation access and fund multicultural student organizations.

Rachel Mammen

Rachel Mammen

Rachel Mammen is a senior General Engineering major concentrating in Biomedical Engineering on the Pre-Medical Track with minors in Mathematics and Entrepreneurship. She is a two-time International Science and Engineering Fair finalist who currently conducts research in the Cornerstone Atomization & Combustion Laboratory at Baylor University, supervised by Dr. Lulin Jiang. Active in the Baylor community, she has served as a Line Camp leader to her fellow peers, as the Membership Chair on the executive board for the Bears Medical Student Association (BMSA), and as a Teaching Fellow. Rachel remains active outside of the Baylor community by serving as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Waco and as the co-founder and advisory board member of the Association for Young Scientists and Innovators (AYSI). Her academic interests lie at the intersection of medicine and design. She has a particular interest in prosthetics and medical devices with a focus on orthopedics in relation to sports medicine. Upon graduation, Rachel plans to pursue a joint Master of Engineering and Master of Business Administration by building on her experiences at Baylor to advance medical innovations.

Alizay Mohamed

Alizay Mohamed

Alizay Mohamed is a senior Medical Humanities Major with minors in Business Administration and Biochemistry. She is an officer for the Global Health Student Network, and a student worker for the Medical Humanities Office. In the Summer of 2024, she participated in the Summer Institute Program through Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. There she gained an interest for tropical medicine, and global health. In the Summer of 2025, she will be studying abroad in London through the Baylor in Great Brittian Program. This past year, she participated in Gateway to India as Marketing Chair and helped to expand engagement and awareness of this event. She hopes that during her time as Provost Scholar, she is able to engage in the community and create meaningful relationships that she can carry with her. After graduation she hopes to seek further education in public health and earn a medical degree.

Aliyah Ogden

Aliyah Ogden

Aliyah Ogden is a senior Science Research Fellow concentrating in Neuroscience and Biology with a minor in Religion. She is also a student in the Honors Program. She has been awarded the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Achievement Grant to support her research work for her honors thesis. At Baylor, Aliyah is an undergraduate research assistant in the Neuroscience of Addiction Lab, where she studies the neuroplastic mechanisms underlying opioid and nicotine abuse.In summer 2024, Aliyah was a fellow in the Baylor Transdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Experience (BTRUE), where she conducted an independent project that explored the neurobiology of repeated nicotine exposure. In the spring of 2025, Aliyah was awarded a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national award which recognizes excellence in undergraduate STEM research. She also had the opportunity to continue pursuing research during her time studying abroad at University College Dublin in the spring of 2024. Outside of the lab, Aliyah is the President of the Neuroscience Student Association, where she can pursue her passion for helping others to learn about the brain. She is also a William Carey Crane Scholar, which provides her opportunities to discuss and to explore her interest in the intersection of faith and reason. After graduation, she plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and work in academia as a research professor.

Halle Seiler

Halle Seiler

Halle Seiler is a senior University Scholars major with a secondary major in English and minor in Spanish from Wichita, Kansas. As a Baylor Engage Fellow and teaching assistant for Learning for the World, she has volunteered in English as a Second Language classes at McLennan Community College and La Puerta for the past two years, as well as served as a course assistant for OEL’s Poverty in Waco class. In the summer of 2024, Halle was an OEL Summer Fellow, serving for the City of Waco’s Housing and Community Development Department. As an intern, she researched ways to address the rising rental issues and homelessness in Waco. Additionally, she is a member of Sigma Tau Delta and has served as a Univeristy Scholars mentor for the past year. She also volunteers with The Cove, working with high school students experiencing homelessness to promote continued education. As a member of the Honors College, she is currently working on her thesis, which examines Christological images in Toni Morrison’s novels. After graduation, Halle plans to attend graduate school and work towards a PhD in English with intentions to work as a professor at the collegiate level.

Elena Semler

Elena Semler

Elena Semler is a senior from Shanghai, China. She is an Entrepreneurship and International Business double major with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. She has lived abroad for 18 years with 4 years in Indonesia and 14 years in China. She is a member of the 3rd cohort of Business Scholars allowing her to graduate in 3 years. She is the founder and president of the International Business Student Organization. Elena is passionate about incorporating her faith into her future career in international business where she hopes to start her own international social enterprise. In the spring of 2025, Elena was awarded an outstanding platform presentation award for her research project titled “The Gospel Encoded: Unveiling Christianity within Chinese Characters” at URSA Scholars week 2025. During the summer of 2025, Elena participated in the Baylor Business in Europe study abroad program. Elena is very excited to be a 2025-2026 Provost Scholar and hopes to positively impact those she encounters at Baylor and beyond.

Luke Walther

Luke Walther

Luke Walther is currently a rising senior Biology major with a minor in Biochemistry and a focus on Global Health. Throughout his academic journey, he has had the opportunity to work in several research settings, including SEA-PHAGES, the National Wastewater Surveillance Program, and Dr. Shannon Ronca’s lab at Baylor College of Medicine. These experiences have allowed him to gain valuable wet lab and bioinformatics skills through research on bacteriophages, SARS-CoV-2, and Chikungunya Virus. Beyond the lab and classroom, he is passionate about staying connected to his Baylor community. This past school year, he worked as a Pre-Health ambassador to educate and recruit prospective students to enroll in a healthcare-related major at Baylor University. In the coming year, he will expand his contributions by overseeing the freshmen centered PHP-2105 course for Pre-Health students, becoming a member of the Pre-Health TA council, running the Baylor Global Health Fellows program, and serving as a Provost Scholar. After graduation, his long-term goal is to pursue an MD and MPH, combining clinical practice with research to make a meaningful impact in the field of tropical medicine and infectious disease.

Lily Ward

Lily Ward

Lily Ward is a junior Political Science major with minors in Spanish and International Studies from Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A firm believer that forming relationships helps create positive change, she is an active member of Baylor Engage Fellows, Baylor Political Science Mentoring, the 2025 Baylor in Washington D.C. cohort, and Sigma Iota Rho and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies where she gets to combine her love academia with people. Lily also served as a Welcome Week Leader in 2024 upon her return from her time in London with Baylor in Great Britain. During the summer of 2025, Lily served as a Federal Justice Fellow at the Eastern Missouri Federal Courthouse where she gained hands-on experience in legal research, case preparation, and the federal judicial process. Passionate about the intersection of humanity, the legal system, and public policy, Lily hopes to attend law school or a graduate program for international relations to serve her community as a civil servant.

Elise Zeigler

Elise Zeigler

Curiosity driven, Elise Zeigler’s majors in Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, and Refugee Migration intersect her love of culture, creativity, and community. Growing up alongside some of the 140,000 New-American refugees in St. Louis, through these friendships a mutual understanding developed that community builds resilience and agency. At age 15 she was awarded start-up grant funding to launch Selah Textiles, a tea-towel-textile-printing social enterprise to empower under-resourced refugee young women and foster a creative community within her neighborhood. Today, her research continues to care for her refugee neighbors, by diving deeper into the dynamics of refugee migration and pivotal potential for empathy-driven social entrepreneurship to holistically foster well-being. Interning summer of ‘24 at Wabbani an Indigenous social enterprise in South America and ‘25 at Threads of Hope, a Greek Refugee camp-based social enterprise, these experiences have broadened her perspective of how businesses can creatively integrate communities and preserve cultures. Her senior Honors thesis focuses on how these differences enterprises support the individuals connected by forced migration. While studying in Spain, She researched Sustainable Impact Investing Entrepreneurship under Dr. Rachida Justo from IE Madrid University. Fall of 2025 she will study at St. Andrews University’s Refugee & Forced Migration Network. After graduation her commitment to living in a mosaics of cultures and growing together for the common good will continue as she dreams to start and consult social enterprises across the world.

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