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Commonwealth University Health Sciences Graduate Earns Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship for Yale Study

BLOOMSBURG, PA (08/17/2023) — Manuel Gutierrez, a December 2022 graduate of Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg has been awarded a prestigious fellowship by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Gutierrez is one of 62 recipients nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Gutierrez earned a bachelor's degree (summa cum laude) in pre-physician assistant with a minor in chemistry. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, Gutierrez will pursue a Masters of Medical Science Physician Associate at Yale University. The honor includes $8,500 to support his studies.

"The Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship is a highly competitive and prestigious national award," said Michael Borland, professor of biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, and physics. "Most awardees are from large research and private institutions."

While a student at Bloomsburg, Gutierrez conducted several semesters of melanoma research with Borland, including a chemistry and biochemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURe) and a COST Professional Experience. He was also awarded a national Tri-Beta (Biology Honor Society) research grant and presented at a regional Tri-Beta conference, where he was an award winner. Gutierrez also presented his work at the local Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium, winning an award, and the Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC).

"Most of my professors in the chemistry and biochemistry department are very open to helping students in any way they can, whether through email, coming to office hours, or Zoom meetings," Gutierrez said. "It was through the faculty that I had great opportunities, such as healthcare practicums, student employment, grants, scholarships, letters of recommendation, research, and mentorship."

"For Manuel to be selected out of such a talented applicant pool speaks volumes of his natural intellect, endless positivity and spirit, unrelenting work ethic, and passionate desire to create a better world," Borland said. "He is a one-of-a-kind student who made the most of his opportunities on our campus and in our Bloomsburg community. It was a privilege to be his research mentor and play a small part in his journey. Yale is very lucky to have him, and I cannot wait to see what Manuel's future holds."

Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $649,000 annually to outstanding students for first-year graduate or professional study.

The selection process for a fellowship is based on the applicant's evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.

Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the society's robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives $1.3 million each year to outstanding members and students on chapter campuses through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To see the complete list of 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2023Fellowships.

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