January 2025
San Diego Cooke Scholars and Alums at a regional chapter meetup in November 2024.
Young Scholar Alum Conversation with Matthew Keys and Zephelline (Zephie) Villalobos
2014 Young Scholar; 2019 College Scholar; 2024 Graduate Scholar, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Zephie became a Scholar in 2014 when she joined the Young Scholar Program, and is currently a Graduate Scholar at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In the below video, she shares her experience with Matthew Keys, her former Educational Adviser. Zephie discusses the Young Scholars Summer Program and how that influenced her future plans to study abroad and continue her explorations.
You can connect with Zephie on LinkedIn here.
Compass Feature: The Impact of Participating in Academic Research Programs
In these Academic Research Program interviews, Cooke Scholars and Alums share their experiences with various research programs, discussing how these opportunities have influenced their career paths. They talk about their specific projects, the challenges they faced, and the skills they gained. The interview aims to highlight the impact of research programs like the McNair Scholars Program and NSF on career choices, offering advice and insights for current Cooke Scholars interested in pursuing similar opportunities. Check out our latest video where current Graduate Scholar Josue Luna interviews fellow Scholar Sonia Bustos Barocio on her experience participating in academic research.
You can connect with Josue on LinkedIn here, and Sonia here.
In Memoriam
It is with a heavy heart that we share about the passing of Cooke Alum. Daniel "Adam" Roper, a 2014 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar from the University of Central Florida, passed away on December 9, 2024. He is survived by his wife Debbie Jo Roper, four children David Roper, William Roper, Lila Roper, Joshua Gray, and sister DD Roper.
You can read his full obituary here.
Scholars and Alums, please know that you have access to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) should you need it: The SAP is available as a free and confidential resource for all Cooke Scholars and eligible family members. Through SAP you can access mental health services, financial and legal consultations, and get help developing personalized wellness programs. To access these and other resources, call 1-800-EAP-CALL or visit www.nexgeneap.com and use company ID 8774.
Thussenthan Walter-Angelo
2020 College Scholar, Princeton University
Thussenthan recently started a new position as a Research Technologist in Medical Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine. The research lab is part of the hospital's Pediatric Oncology division, and the team receives patient tumor samples from all over the country (and even from some international sites).
As a Research Technologist, Thussenthan uses his background in computational bioinformatics and molecular biology to process, sequence, and analyze patient samples. Using the patient's tumor DNA sequence, the team tries to find other patients they have treated with similar sequencing results to guide their approach to treating this new, current patient. As a long-term goal, they are working on creating a patient sample database to do future analytical research on (to connect DNA sequences to disease progression and patterns) that their lab and other labs can computationally analyze to learn more about cancer.
Thussenthan shared, “So far, I am most enjoying the tangible impact my work has on the treatment and quality of life outcomes for patients. I have seen some of my patients in the clinic, and seeing the appreciation they and their families have for me and my work motivates me every day I go to work.'“
You can connect with Thussenthan on LinkedIn here.
Mouhamed Gaye
2015 Young Scholar; 2020 College Scholar, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Earlier this fall, Mouhamed transitioned out of a role as an EMT to a clinical research assistant at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. After nearly three years of working as an EMT, Mouhamed fell in love with Emergency Medicine and Trauma/Critical Care, and even pursued a senior research project in trauma care.
In this new role, Mouhamed works in the STAR (shock, trauma, and anesthesiology research) department of the Shock Trauma Center. Mouhamed shared, “In my capacity, I work on a 24/7 clinical research team, where we actively manage about a 1-2 dozen active clinical research projects. Some of these are retrospective studies, whilst some are experimental treatment trials for trauma patients. The day to day is very engaged and hands-on. We, along with the doctors and nurses, get paged to the arrival of trauma patients, and are actively involved in safely integrating any eligible clinical trials or research studies into their bedside patient care. At any given moment, I could be in the ICU, the Trauma Resuscitation Unit, or the operating room.”
On this new chapter, Mouhamed said, “Working in this new role has allowed me to stay proximal to this field whilst also being involved in the cutting-edge research that will push the needle in future care of sick patients in need. In this role, I get to meet and work with incredible people from all walks of life, and have learned more than I could have imagined about the field of medicine. I look forward to continuing in this role prior to hopefully attending medical school.”
You can connect with Mouhamed on LinkedIn here.
Latifah Amber Maasarani
2016 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar; 2019 Graduate Scholar,
Texas A&M University
Latifah recently transitioned from her role as Solutions Engineer II—where she focused on supporting Edmund Optics’ European sales team in delivering custom optical solutions for OEM customers—to Business Development Manager for the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region.
In her new role, Latifah will be working to drive growth by delivering tailored Marketplace solutions to valued customers across the EMEA region.
She shared, “I’m eager to engage with our customers and university partners to explore opportunities for innovation and collaboration, and I’m excited to work under the guidance of my new manager while collaborating with my new teammate, their expertise and support will make this journey even more rewarding.”
You can connect with Latifah on LinkedIn here.
Naduah Laker
2005 Young Scholar; 2010 College Scholar; 2017 Graduate Scholar, Lund University
In December, Naduah joined the organization Our Roots as their Foundation Operations Lead. Our Roots provides free, accessible peer coaching for new birthing parents in BIPOC, low-income communities to respond to and treat postpartum mood disorders.
In their role, Naduah develops data dashboards, systems and processes to move this work forward and make life easier for the peer coaches and the organization as a whole.
They said, “I'm most excited about the opportunity to really make an impact in a startup organization by applying my love of systems creation and dreaming up new ways to work within existing nonprofit systems and structures.”
You can connect with Naduah on LinkedIn here.
It’s the 25th Anniversary of the Foundation - Share an Internship Opportunity to Celebrate!
We are so thankful for the Cooke Alums who have already stepped up this fall to share more than 100 (and counting!) internship opportunities for our Scholars as part of our Think Big About Internships campaign. You are our best ambassadors and advocates, and your support is making career-advancing experiences available to our Scholars when they need it the most!
For those you who haven’t had the chance to get involved yet, we invite you to join us now in the effort to make Mr. Cooke’s dream of a vibrant community of Alums and Scholars working together a reality. Cooke Alums are just the right people to connect talented, hard-working Scholars with these life-changing opportunities. You not only know what it's like to be a Cooke Scholar, you also know how amazing they are.
Working together, Cooke Scholars and Alums can create significant impact across industries, and even the world!
Here’s how you can get involved:
Hire a Cooke Scholar for a summer 2025 internship.
Connect Scholars with hiring managers in your network.
Spread the word about the amazing Cooke Scholar talent pool.
In October, we hosted a virtual Alumni Kickoff Event for the campaign where we talked about the details of how Alums can get involved.
The Latest Alumni Blog Features
Catchin’ Up With a Cookie: Nadia Vaso
Our Catchin’ Up with a Cookie blog features Cooke Alum Nadia Vaso, a 2017 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar from Columbia University/School of General Studies. In this blog, she shares a bit about her undergraduate experience, her current role as an investment associate, and her advice for recent graduates. Read more about Nadia here.
Apply for the 2025 Cooke Scholar and Alumni Awards or Nominate a Fellow Scholar
We are happy to announce that applications are now open for the two 2025 monetary awards for Cooke Scholars and Alums.
The Undergraduate Scholar Award in Honor of Dennis I. Belcher is a $5,000 award that may be given annually to one or more current Cooke Scholars.
The Matthew J. Quinn Prize is a $10,000 award that may be given annually to one or more current Cooke Graduate Scholars or Cooke Alums.
The awards are designed to recognize Cooke Scholars and Alums who have demonstrated outstanding achievement during the prior three years (January 2022 through December 2024). Such achievements might include the development of an innovative solution to a societal problem, creation of a significant community program, or publication of an important work. The outstanding achievement must demonstrate impact and touch the lives of others in meaningful ways.
The deadline to apply for these awards is Friday, March 21, 2025. Apply here.
You can nominate a fellow Scholar or Alum here.
Upcoming Events
Adulting 101: Cooke Alums Share Life Skills for Thriving Beyond College
Adulting doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Join us for Adulting 101, an engaging panel discussion where Alums will dive into real-world advice and practical strategies on topics like credit & banking, budgeting & expenses, adapting after college, and more!
The panel will take place on Thursday, January 23 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET.
This is your chance to learn from Alums who’ve successfully navigated life after college and are eager to share their experiences. Bring your questions, gain valuable insights, and leave feeling prepared to tackle life’s next chapter.
Please note that while our panelists share their personal experiences and practical tips, they are not certified financial experts. The information provided is intended for general guidance and should not be considered professional advice.
Unlocking Academic Success: Navigating Transfer Shock and Imposter Syndrome
Join us for an engaging presentation titled Unlocking Academic Success by Cooke Alum Muaz Abrar, a 2016 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, on Friday, February 21 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. ET.
The presentation delves into the critical topics of Transfer Shock and Imposter Syndrome in the academic realm. We will explore the challenges faced by new Transfer Scholars as they transition to new educational environments and discuss effective techniques to support themselves and others in overcoming academic hurdles.
Through real-life examples and evidence-based strategies, we will equip attendees with the tools they need to successfully navigate and mitigate the effects of Transfer Shock and Imposter Syndrome. Join us and embark on a journey toward academic success and personal growth.
Cooke Graduate Scholarship Applications are due January 10
The Graduate Scholarship is awarded to outstanding Cooke Scholars and recent Cooke Alums to support them to complete graduate degrees at top institutions. Applications for the Graduate Scholarship are due January 10, 2025.
Find details on the Graduate Scholarship webpage and info sheet and find example responses to application questions on the Grad Scholar Portal. If you have more questions or would like support on your application, email gradscholars@jkcf.org.
We want to hear from you!
Have you recently changed jobs? Did you have your research published this year? Is your family growing? We would love to hear your personal, professional, and academic updates! Feel free to submit your news below or email Alumni Engagement Manager Gabby Nicholas.
Cooke Scholars and Alums at Amazon as part of Cooke Connections: New York City.