2026 Provost's Scholars
Ebehiremen Agenmonmen is a Biology (Cell and Molecular Science) major on the pre-medical track from Edo, Nigeria, and a multiple-time Dean’s List honoree, whose work is shaped by a deep commitment to global health equity, cultural connection, and service. As an international student, she brings a globally informed perspective to her academic and leadership pursuits, driven by a desire to bridge gaps in healthcare access and foster understanding across diverse communities. At Baylor, Ebehiremen serves as President of the Tau Sigma Honor Society and as Vice President of Annual Events for the Global Health Students Network, where she leads initiatives that promote culturally responsive engagement and awareness of global health disparities. She is also an active member of Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, Operation Smile, and the Baylor Student Foundation, and serves as a Korean Neighborhood Leader and Ambassador through Baylor & Beyond, cultivating spaces that celebrate diversity and belonging. Her clinical experiences span multiple specialties, including neurosurgery, where she shadowed and was mentored by physicians at UHS Wilson Square, including Dr. Katarzyna Czerniecka-Foxx, MD and Dr. Simone Betchen, MD, MBA. These experiences, alongside her service in hospital and community-based settings, have shaped her understanding of medicine as both a rigorous science and a deeply human calling. She will further develop her research training this summer as an incoming research assistant in the McManamay Lab. Known for her intellectual curiosity, leadership, and intentional care for others, Ebehiremen seeks to become a physician who integrates clinical excellence with global health advocacy, working to build equitable systems of care and meaningful connections across cultures and communities.
Gianna Bolla studies Political Science and Italian as a member of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core from Spokane, WA. Her studies of global cultures and religions has lead her to pursue a career in international law. Gianna is especially interested in studying the relationship between politics and religion, and exploring better ways to protect religious minorities. She has had the opportunity to study law & religion both at Baylor and in Oxford and enjoys meeting new people of various faith backgrounds. She has been a United Nations Millennium Fellow, working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Gianna has also attended the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC with Baylor and interns with the Center for Public Faith during the summers. Gianna hopes to attend law school and pursue a career oriented towards protecting religious freedom worldwide.
Anna Corey is a senior University Scholars major, concentrating in Political Science with minors in Criminal Justice and Poverty Studies and Social Justice. She is invested in learning about the causes and consequences of poverty and addiction, and her paper “Baltimore and the Opioid Epidemic” was published in the 2025-2026 Pulse Undergraduate Research Journal. Anna has served as a student mentor for both the Teagle Foundation’s Examined Life Scholars program and the University Scholars program, participated in the OEL Baylor Summer Fellows Program, and she holds an officer position in her sorority. In the summer of 2026, Anna was funded by the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty to intern with the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) in Burlington, Vermont. After graduation, Anna plans to pursue a master’s degree in public policy analysis.
Rose Dickenson is a rising senior History and International Studies double major with a minor in French, from St. Louis, Missouri. Over the fall and spring semesters of 2025, she served as a teacher’s assistant in ESL courses taught through La Puerta and MCC through her OEL courses. Alongside fellow Vardaman Scholar Riley McDonald, she began a French language and culture club servicing middle school students throughout Waco. Through the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty, she will spend summer 2026 interning at a refugee and immigration center through the University of North Carolina Greensboro, primarily servicing the Congolese community. After graduation, she hopes to attend a graduate program in history, combining her interests in history, international relations, and French on the path to a career in academia.
Alexa Gaunt is a senior Baylor Business Fellow and Economics major with a minor in Biochemistry on the pre-medical track. She is deeply passionate about serving impoverished populations and uplifting communities through holistic, community-centered care. As the co-founder and Vice President of Baylor's MEDLIFE chapter, she leads a global health organization dedicated to creating sustainable impact in both local and global communities. Through her experiences at federally qualified health centers and nonprofits such as Waco Family Medicine and Mission Waco, she has developed a firsthand understanding of the barriers facing underserved populations and the solutions needed to address them. Alexa is also committed to mentoring and teaching others through her roles as an academic tutor in Baylor's Success Center and Kids' Ministry volunteer at Highland Baptist Church. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and continue to serve, educate, and advocate for impoverished communities as a physician committed to health equity and systemic change.
Anneli Hellgren is a Baylor Business Fellow majoring in Political Science and Economics, with minors in Studio Art and Environmental Studies. She is a member of the Honors Program, Baylor Women’s Club Soccer, and the Baylor Pre-Law Society, and is also a recipient of the Baylor2Baylor Law Scholarship. She is active in Baylor Ambassadors, a student organization that advocates at the state and national levels for federal financial aid and research funding. Additionally, Anneli works as an undergraduate researcher in the McManamay Lab at Baylor University, where she contributes to research on the effectiveness of autonomous imaging systems and machine learning for biomonitoring in aquatic ecosystems, as well as the economic impacts of national parks on surrounding infrastructure. She recently interned in Washington, D.C., at the Atlas Network, an economic research foundation, through the Baylor in Washington Semester Program. After graduation, Anneli plans to pursue a career focused on comparative politics and international climate law by studying climate policy durability in presidential versus parliamentary governments.
Enzo Henry is a senior Health Science Studies major with a minor in Biochemistry on the pre-med track. He serves as the Vice President of the Latinx Association of Science & Health (LASH), where he leads initiatives that support Latino students pursuing careers in healthcare. He is the teaching assistant for Interprofessional Programs within the Office of Prehealth Studies, supporting collaborative learning across health disciplines. Enzo is also an undergraduate researcher in the Giassetti Lab, where he studies male infertility and the paternal impact on early embryonic development in mammals. Off campus, Enzo volunteers with Bluebonnet Hospice and Waco Family Medicine, where he is committed to serving patients and gaining meaningful clinical experience. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician dedicated to compassionate, community-centered care. He is excited to serve as a Provost’s Scholar and looks forward to contributing to initiatives that enhance the Baylor community.
Ava Janes is an Honors College student pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance with a secondary major in Film & Digital Media Studies and a minor in Business Administration. She holds two roles at the Waco Symphony Association: Concert Operations and Stage Manager, directing production for 85 musicians and guest artists such as Anne Akiko Meyers, and Artistic Administration Intern, supporting executive operations, donor events, grant reporting, and marketing surveys. In the summer of 2026, she worked as an Orchestra Stage Manager at the Aspen Music Festival, the top classical music festival, and in the summer prior, as a Production Assistant at the Bowdoin International Music Festival and as an Artistic Administration Intern at the Lake George Music Festival. As the founder and president of the Waco Symphony Orchestra Student Ambassadors (WSOSA), she drives strategy, recruitment, and fundraising initiatives while encouraging interdisciplinary engagement with cultural institutions. Her honors thesis under Dr. Lindsey-Warren explores revenue strategies and self-sustaining models for classical music nonprofits, informed by economic theory and arts management, while she performs as concertmaster of First Baptist Church Waco. Ava studies violin under Dr. Eka Gogichashvili.
Claire Joseph is a senior Baylor Business Fellows major with a Spanish Certificate for Health Professionals on the pre-medical track. Claire currently serves as the President of MEDLIFE (Medicine, Education, and Development, for Low-Income Families Everywhere), a local chapter of an international non-profit. She is passionate about learning about sustainable development and how to improve social determinants of health, specifically in the context of healthcare. She is also the Director of Internal Alumni Engagement through Baylor Bridges. Claire is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Nguyen’s Neuroscience of Addiction lab, where she studies the effects of various addictive drugs on perineuronal nets in the brain. In the summer of 2025, she participated in a summer internship with a nonprofit in Uganda called Musana that further solidified her desire to serve underserved communities. This summer, she will work as an intern through Waco Family Medicine through their financial-clinical rotations internship, which will advance her knowledge of the inner workings of business in the healthcare field. After graduation, Claire is planning on pursuing a Healthcare MBA at Baylor and then attending medical school. As a Provost Scholar, she is excited to work alongside equally motivated and passionate peers and the Provost to better the Baylor community.
Dalton Meeker is a senior International Studies major from Midland, Texas. He studied abroad in Ireland during the fall of 2023 with the Global Scholars Program. Aside from being a part of the Office of Engaged Learning since freshman year, he has held student assistant positions in the Office of Undergraduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, as a Peer Advisor for the Study Abroad Office in Baylor's Center for Global Engagement and was recently the Electoral Commissioner for the Baylor University Student Government. Additionally, Dalton has held two summer internships with the City of Waco, formerly as both a Housing and Economic Development intern, and then later as an Urban Planning and GIS Systems Analysis intern. Post graduation, Dalton aims to work in either corporate or public finance.
Isabel Miles is a senior University Scholar with concentrations in Neuroscience and Medical Humanities with a secondary major in Religion. She is interested in healthcare equity and Christian social justice. She works as an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Michael Scullin in the Sleep Neuroscience and Cognition Lab. During the summer of 2026, she was a CDC Lewis Scholar at Pitt Public Health and focused on health disparities through community engagement and public health projects. She also completed the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty at CrossOver Healthcare Ministries in the summer of 2025. She is currently completing her Honors thesis with Dr. Jeff Levin on psychoneuroimmunology and religion. She cherishes her time as a Micah Scholar working in partnership with Waco Family Medicine and Christian Community Health Fellowship to better understand barriers and systemic injustices in the US healthcare system. After graduation, she plans to pursue further research in theology and earn a medical degree.
Iara Peralta Siracusa is a neuroscience student with a strong focus on the intersection of brain science, data, and technology. Her experience includes behavioral neuroscience research, psychophysiology data analysis, and the application of machine learning to study stress and human behavior. She has contributed to research using methods such as heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and automated behavioral quantification, and further expanded her experience as a summer research intern at the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences in Italy, where she investigated the gut-brain axis and supported the development of data analysis techniques for bee motion tracking. Beyond the lab, Iara is passionate about advancing innovation in healthcare and neurotechnology. Her long-term goal is to work at the intersection of neuroscience, data science, and strategy, contributing to the development of technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, and accessibility in neurological health.
Ainsley Rastovac is a Biochemistry major from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, on the pre-medical track at Baylor University. She is passionate about the intersection of science, service, and patient-centered care. On campus, Ainsley serves as a Student Ambassador for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where she mentors fellow students and represents the department at major recruitment events. She is also a Community Leader in Baylor’s residence halls, where she mentors residents from diverse backgrounds, fosters an inclusive and supportive environment, and helps students navigate their transition to college while building meaningful connections within the Baylor community. Ainsley is actively involved in the American Medical Women’s Association, where she serves as Internal Vice President, leading professional development programming and cultivating a strong, uplifting community for women pursuing careers in medicine. Her commitment to healthcare extends beyond campus as an Emergency Department volunteer. She will study abroad in Madrid, Spain, and is pursuing a Certificate in Spanish for Health Care Professions, reflecting her passion for bridging language barriers and building meaningful patient connections. She is especially interested in compassionate, service-driven medicine and improving patient experiences through communication and empathy. After graduation, Ainsley plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician.
Kaitlyn Rojas is a Neuroscience major and McNair Scholar completing Departmental Honors and pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D. program post-graduation. Her ultimate goal is to become the principal investigator of her own laboratory focusing on addiction neuroscience while treating patients with substance use disorder. She is also a recipient of the Jim H. Patton Award and the Traci Cook Memorial Scholarship in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, won Novus Cura, has received Travel Awards for several research conferences, and was previously a Baylor University Medical Practicum Program (BU-MPP) Scholar. Kaitlyn conducts research in Dr. Jacques Nguyen's Neuroscience of Addiction Lab where she leads investigation of the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, in behavioral pharmacology and addiction neuroscience, which is the basis of her honors thesis. Her research is supported by the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program and the Office of Engaged Learning's Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Achievement (URSA) Grant. She is also a Amgen Scholar, conducting research at Stanford University in the Summer of 2026. Kaitlyn is committed to uplifting undergraduate students. As a McNair Scholar, she mentors first-year undergraduates in the Pathfinders Program, helping them to get involved in research at Baylor, and actively seeks to build community within the program. As a Psychology and Neuroscience Student Ambassador, Supplemental Instructor for Introduction to Neuroscience, and Peer Leader in the New Student Experience in Psychology and Neuroscience course, Kaitlyn is passionate about mentoring students, promoting student success, and encouraging undergraduate research. Kaitlyn also serves as President of the Medical Ethics Discussion Society (MEDS) and is a member of Nu Rho Psi. She also volunteers at Ascension Providence Hospital and with Loaves of Love. Through these activities and others, Kaitlyn constantly strives to serve the common good.
Shamita Vasnani is a Health Science Studies major at Baylor University with a minor in Biochemistry on the pre-medical track. She is passionate about improving access to healthcare, especially in underserved communities. At Baylor, she is a research assistant in the Behavioral Medicine Laboratory, where she helps collect and analyze data on the relationship between behavior, physiology, and health outcomes. She also works as a Genetics Learning Assistant in the Biology Department, supporting students in understanding complex genetics concepts. In addition, she is involved with Pre-Health Mentors, where she helps guide and support other students exploring pre-health careers. Shamita has clinical experience in both the United States and abroad, including an internship at Greater Accra Regional Hospital and shadowing physicians at Euracare Advanced Diagnostics and Heart Center. She has also volunteered at Ascension Providence Hospital and gained exposure to multidisciplinary care at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Outside of academics, she has worked multiple summers at Pine Cove Camps in leadership roles, where she mentored campers and helped lead activities. Through her experiences in research, clinical work, and leadership, Shamita hopes to become a physician committed to compassionate, patient-centered care and reducing healthcare disparities.
Lochlan Walsh is a University Scholar from Bryant, Arkansas, studying Political Science, Philosophy, and Medical Humanities. During the Summer of 2025, she received funding from the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty to intern with the Catholic Charities of Louisville in Migration and Refugee Services. She has also worked as a Sustainability Intern with Baylor Eats on a research project aimed at reducing food waste in the dining halls. Lochlan enjoys engaging with her community through volunteering as a TA, working in Baylor's community gardens, and donating recovered food to Salvation Army and Caritas. She is actively engaged in the William Carey Crane Scholar program, partners with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty as the President of the Student Food Security Council, has experience working with AmeriCorps as a Peer Leader, and is involved in Greek life. During the Spring of 2027, she will participate in the Baylor in Washington semester internship program. Ultimately, Lochlan plans on attending law school in order to equip herself with the necessary background to implement policy changes that increase nutritional access for those struggling with food insecurity in the United States.
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.
Gabrielle White is a Health Science Studies major on the pre-med track with a strong desire to service underrepresented communities through health education and service. She works as a Peer Health Educator within the Department of Student Care and Well-Being, where she promotes wellness by leading campus outreach initiatives and delivering inclusive programs that raise awareness of key health topics. Gabrielle is also gaining valuable research experience as a volunteer in the Mooney Lab for Exercise Nutrition and Biochemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Dungan, where their research is focused on skeletal muscle physiology. Beyond campus, she has further developed her interest in the health field through participation in the Summer Health Professions Education Program in collaboration with the UTHealth McGovern Medical School where she gained clinical exposure, strengthened professional competencies, and expanded her network. Gabrielle is also very involved in the community, co-leading a free after school STEM program at community centers in Waco, fostering curiosity, and meaningful mentor–mentee relationships among youth. She is also actively involved in service through organizations such as Loaves of Love, Toys for Tots, and local food pantry initiatives. Driven by a commitment to service and equity, Gabrielle White looks forward to a career in medicine where she can continue empowering others and making a lasting impact in underrepresented communities.
Sophia Wright is a senior University Scholars major concentrating in neuroscience, bioethics, and biochemistry on the pre-medical track. She is an undergraduate researcher in the Nguyen lab where she studies the neuroscience of addiction and is completing a senior thesis studying the neurological effects of dry hitting. She is the senior mentor of the Getterman Fellows Program, social chair for the Honors Residential College Council, discussion chair for the Medical Ethics Discussion Society, and a member of BRH choir. In fall of 2025, she studied abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland with the Office of Engaged Learning, studying cognitive neuroscience and international human rights. After graduation Sophia plans to obtain an M.D. and serve under-resourced communities through clinical care and advocacy.
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.