Scholars Around the World
Two JKCF Scholars organize a 15-day study tour to Bolivia to explore the country’s political economy, peoples and rural development
Scholar Spotlight
A prolific writer of poetry and song, Nate is a dynamic speaker and isn't shy about performing in front of an audience.
Claire Clelland
"I see the opportunity for biomedical research to improve functioning in disabled lives. I am committed to helping the people I visit age with dignity."
- Program: 2005 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Los Angeles, CA
- Hometown: Gold Hill, OR
- Age: 29
- Four-year College or University: University of Portland
- Graduate School: University of California, Los Angeles
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Medical Practitioner, Sciences
- Other Interests: Foreign Languages / International Study, Honor Society, Literature, Outdoor / Mountaineering / Camping, Philosophy, Sciences, Sports, Student Government, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work
Biography
Claire Clelland wants to use neuroscience - particularly stem-cell therapy and adult- neuronal regeneration - to find affordable, accessible treatments for patients with age-related diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. She draws inspiration and hope from Tuesdays with Morrie, a book about a man who embraced life even as he battled Lou Gehrig's disease. She says, "I think of Morrie and his joy in simple pleasures as I prepare for a career as a biomedical researcher."
Claire survived a difficult childhood with support from her mother and an abiding curiosity. Even as an elementary school student, she wondered about the "outward expression" of herself and her "internal dialogue." As her learning grew, she thought about intelligence, personality, and emotion "encoded only by a network of microscopic neurons" and concluded in neuroscience she could best answer her questions about the mind and brain. At the University of Portland, she earned honors in both biology and philosophy, and is now eager to begin her graduate work at UC-San Diego. Not only does she expect California to become "the citadel for the promise of stem cell research," she also believes UCSD will continue to play a crucial role as a leader in this field.
Claire also hopes to move from the research lab to the realm of policy and advocacy. She has conducted Medicare research as an intern in the US Senate, and raised money for Alzheimer's research with a bike ride from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine. During her career, Claire particularly hopes to bridge science, medicine, and politics by crafting local and national legislation and participating in international advocacy through an organization such as the Peace Corps.
Other Scholars Like Claire
Karen Arter
Graduate Scholar
University of Maryland
Lara Miller
Graduate Scholar
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Tyler Reeve
College Scholar
Colgate University
Violeta Crow
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Cornell University