August 13, 2024
Ava Polzin from the University of Chicago is one of 50 students selected as a 2024 Quad Fellow. Now in its second year, the Quad Fellowship supports exceptional master's and doctoral students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Initially supporting students from the four Quad countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—the program has expanded this year to include students from various ASEAN countries.
The fellowship supports Polzin’s thesis work in Astronomy & Astrophysics, which includes studying star formation and the baryon cycle in low-mass, low-metallicity galaxies. “I’m particularly excited about this award because the Quad Fellowship focuses on promoting scientists who emphasize using STEM for social good,” said Polzin. “So it represents a unique opportunity for me to combine my interests in research and education, as I’m very interested in making science more accessible to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds through quality pedagogy.”
The Quad Fellowship aims to build connections among the next generation of scientists and technologists. The program is designed to support academic excellence and promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration among participating countries. By bringing together students from different parts of the world, the fellowship creates a network of innovators who can address global challenges and drive technological advancements. The fellowship is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), a global not-for-profit organization that manages many of the world’s most prestigious scholarship and fellowship programs.
The complete list of selected Quad Fellows is available on the program website.