USF World News

Three USF Honors College Students Awarded Frost Scholarships, Will Study at Oxford

USF students earn three of the nine Frost Scholarships awarded for postgraduate study at Oxford – USF ties with UF for most in the state

 

TAMPA, Fla. (May 15, 2017) – USF Honors College graduates Shane Clark, Razanne Oueini, and Luis Regalado are among a very select group of students statewide awarded Frost scholarships for full-time graduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The Frost Scholarship Program provides funding for top students from the State University System of Florida (and the University of Miami) to study for a full year in master's courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics "STEM" fields. In order for students to be eligible for the Frost scholarship they must first be accepted into their graduate program at Oxford. With three recipients out of nine state-wide, USF is tied with the University of Florida for the most winners this year.

All three Frost scholars graduated this May, are studying health-related fields, and have impressive undergraduate records at USF.

Clark, a native of Fleming Island (near Jacksonville) and graduate of Fleming Island High School, earned a bachelor's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. While at USF, he conducted research at the Florida Center for Drug Discovery and Innovation (CDDI) where he discovered two new compounds from an Antarctic Coral that have never been isolated before.

Oueini, a native of Tampa, Fla. and graduate of Alonso High School, earned dual bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Music Studies. While at USF she had her chemistry research published five times, earned a Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) score in the 99th percentile, and was an active member of both the Herd of Thunder Marching Band and the Wind Ensemble.

Regalado, a native of Miami and graduate of Ronald Reagan Doral High School, earned his bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Public Health. While at USF, he worked as a research assistant in both the Morton Plant Mease Cardiovascular Research Department and the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute.

"At USF we pride ourselves on the success of our students. Being consistently well represented in national and international scholarship programs, such as the Frost Scholarship, is a great honor for our institution," said Ralph Wilcox, USF Provost and Executive Vice President. "I wish Shane, Razanne, and Luis all the best in their studies at Oxford, and look forward to seeing more students follow in their footsteps in the years to come."

Oueini reflected on the impact of this award. "I felt that the opportunity to learn and gain experience from faculty in the Department of Pharmacology at the world's premier institution for higher education was one that could not be matched," she said. "To me, this scholarship demonstrates the immense value of education in various STEM fields and the necessity of these subjects for the advancement of our communities."

Also pursuing a MSc in Pharmacology at Oxford, Clark echoes Oueini's desire to make advances in the healthcare field.

"The generous Frost scholarship gives me the ability to broaden my discipline to prepare myself for the newest challenges in the field of medicine," said Clark who is particularly interested in pediatric oncology. "This study will allow me the potential to positively affect whole communities and diverse populations through cutting-edge research."

Also in the medical field, Regalado will pursue a Master's degree in Global Health Science at Oxford.

"The program will serve as the base for my career as a physician and will enable me to work on important global health initiatives such as the efforts to control cardiovascular disease, the prevention of premature death, and establishing implementation strategies to lower the infant mortality rate in developing countries," said Regalado.

Advisors in USF's Honors College and Office of National Scholars worked closely with the students to prepare them for this scholarship opportunity.

"We are so pleased that Shane, Razanne, and Luis will get to enjoy the wonderful opportunities provided by the Frost scholarships and we look forward to hearing of their continued success as they undertake graduate study at Oxford," said Dr. Charles Adams, Dean of the USF Honors College. "I am impressed with the hard work and dedication of these excellent students, and I hope that their stories will inspire current and future Bulls to apply for this and other highly competitive academic scholarships."

The Frost Scholarship Program is supported by the generosity of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Philanthropic Foundation. Nine Frost scholars have been awarded this year. In the program's four-year history, nine USF students have earned Frost scholarships.

Students interested in more information about competitive academic scholarships are encouraged to contact the USF Office of National Scholars which identifies, recruits, and mentors high-achieving students to apply for nationally competitive scholarships across all disciplines.

About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three, separately accredited institutions: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. Serving more than 49,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is ranked in the Top 30 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2016, the Florida Legislature designated USF as "Emerging Preeminent," placing USF in an elite category among the state's 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.