WVU graduate students are advancing research with WVU Foundation scholarship support. Recipients of the WVUF Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship include (top row, from left) Destinee Harper, Kushal Naharki, Raphael Oladokun and Erin Shepta. Recipients of the Carl del Signore Foundation Graduate Scholarship include (bottom row, from left) Esha Azhar, Matthew Klein, Ciara Rodriguez and Jailyn Wilson.
Eight West Virginia University graduate students are pursuing research and discovery to solve real-world challenges with support from WVU Foundation scholarships.
The Office of Graduate Education and Life announced four doctoral students selected to receive the WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship and four master’s degree students chosen to receive the Carl del Signore Foundation Graduate Scholarship. The merit-based scholarship awards help students defray education and research costs as they complete their theses and dissertations.
WVU Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship Awardees
Destinee Harper, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, is exploring creative solutions for teaching and learning in prison as she works toward a doctorate in English from the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The scholarship award will help her document and present her work, including interviews conducted with teachers and students to learn about navigating prison restrictions and challenging harmful carceral ideologies.
“I have seen education in prison facilitate incredible personal growth for both WVU instructors and students, myself included, and help build human connections that defy the isolation that prisons cultivate,” Harper said. “I am grateful to the WVU Foundation for supporting this worthwhile endeavor.”
A native of Tanahun, Nepal, Kushal Naharki is pursuing a doctorate in plant and soil science from the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His dissertation focuses on developing practical, technology-driven tools using drones and biological control to improve early detection and sustainable management of invasive plant species.
“As a first-generation international scholar pursuing advanced research at the intersection of entomology and technology, this recognition is very meaningful and motivates me to continue contributing to the scientific community,” Naharki said. “Receiving this scholarship supports my doctoral research, allowing me to focus fully on advancing my work and contributing meaningful findings to the field.”
Raphael Oladokun, of Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria, is completing his doctorate in chemical engineering at the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. His research aims to develop next-generation diagnostic technologies that integrate microfluidics, dielectrophoresis and artificial intelligence for early cancer detection.
“My work focuses on identifying dielectric biomarkers in blood cells that can enable rapid, low-cost and noninvasive detection of diseases, such as pancreatic cancer and breast cancer,” Oladokun said. “This award will allow me to further advance and validate these technologies while contributing to the development of portable point-of-care diagnostic devices that improve early cancer diagnosis.”
Oladokun is also committed to advancing mentorship, diversity and innovation in STEM through leadership roles with student and professional organizations.
Erin Shepta, of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, is pursuing a doctorate in natural resources science from the Davis College. As part of her dissertation research, she is investigating factors that could limit the spread of invasive carp species in the Ohio River.
“I hope my research will contribute to a better understanding of invasive carp dynamics across the United States,” Shepta said. “The introduction of these species has had serious ecological and economic consequences, and I aim for my work to help inform efforts to mitigate future impacts. With the support of this scholarship, I can continue working toward completing my dissertation and contributing to ecological conservation in the future.”
Carl del Signore Foundation Scholarship Awardees
A native of Lahore, Pakistan, Esha Azhar is working toward a master’s degree in psychology at the Eberly College. She said the scholarship support will enable her to present her research, which focuses on assessing psychological well-being in adults after a natural disaster.
“Disasters and extreme weather events caused by climate change are an imminent issue today, and my master’s thesis and associated projects focus on studying individuals impacted by these adversities by examining their well-being in the aftermath, especially focusing on capitalizing their available resources to aid in recovery,” Azhar said. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and take this essential work forward.”
Matthew Klein, of Fremont, Nebraska, is pursuing a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries resources at the Davis College. He also plans to use scholarship funds to share his work examining the historic population ecology and future viability of threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in Michigan at academic conferences.
“Working in the field of wildlife conservation, collaboration and partnership is key to success,” Klein said. “Attending conferences allows me to share my research, build partnerships and seek the collaborations needed for effective, research-based conservation of wildlife populations.”
Ciara Rodriguez, of Roxbury, New Jersey, is completing a master’s degree in behavior analysis within the Eberly College Department of Psychology.
“I am beyond grateful for this scholarship,” Rodriguez said. “This funding will provide vital financial support as I continue to conduct research with a goal of eradicating the school-to-prison pipeline. My research focuses on the intersection of forensic science and behavior analysis, and I specifically work with at-risk youth in West Virginia.”
A native of Martinsburg, Jailyn Wilson is also pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. Her research targets discrimination and the mental health of Black residents in Appalachian regions.
“My goal is to continue researching these topics to ensure that Appalachian communities and minoritized individuals within these communities are included in the literature for future interventions tailored toward their needs,” Wilson said. “I am extremely grateful for this award, as it has allowed me to continue researching topics that I am passionate about with less thought about financial burden.”
For more information about the scholarships, contact Jessica Queener, assistant provost for graduate education policy, at jessica.queener@mail.wvu.edu.
Gifts to support the two scholarships are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.