David J. Beck Fellowship sends three aspiring healthcare professionals into advanced research

Three Lamar University students have been named recipients of the David J. Beck Fellowship, an award recognizing outstanding academic achievement and supporting advanced undergraduate research and creative study.

This year's Beck Fellows are Sneha Jobby of Missouri City, Homero Tijerina of Port Arthur and Isabella Tran of Nederland. All three are pursuing science-focused degrees with an emphasis on research and healthcare careers, and each will undertake specialized projects this summer as part of the fellowship.

The David J. Beck Fellowships reward outstanding academic achievement and provide top students with opportunities to further challenge themselves through undergraduate research and creative study. Fellows receive full academic scholarships covering tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board, as well as up to $10,000 in funding for a summer project that may include research, internships or international study.

Tijerina, a biochemistry major with a minor in chemistry, said the fellowship reflects both his past efforts and future goals.

"Being selected as a Beck Fellow means a great deal to me," Tijerina said. "It represents the payoff of consistent hard work and dedication, but I also see it as a responsibility, to myself and to Lamar University, to represent the school's academic standards and values at the highest level."

An aspiring physician assistant, Tijerina said the fellowship aligns closely with his long-term interest in medicine and research.

"This fellowship strongly aligns with my passion for medicine and my interest in laboratory research," he said. "It reflects my goal of bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient care, particularly through translational research."

Tijerina is currently conducting an independent research project under faculty mentorship, centered on synthesizing a novel compound designed to improve the body's response to high-stress situations.

"This work is built around an original concept I designed, focused on the synthesis of a novel compound intended to improve the body's response to high-stress situations - an advanced epinephrine-inspired molecule aimed at optimizing performance while reducing the negative effects of the fight-or-flight response," he said.

Tran, a biology major with a minor in chemistry and a pre-med concentration, will travel internationally this summer to conduct research in Taiwan, where she will study cancer immunotherapy and nanomedicine.

"Being selected as a Beck Fellow honestly means so much to me," Tran said. "It feels like all the work I have put into both my academics and research is leading to something meaningful."

She said the experience will allow her to deepen her understanding of how research and medicine intersect.

"As someone who hopes to go into medicine and research, this opportunity gives me the chance to explore research on a deeper level and in a completely new environment," Tran said.

Tran will work under mentorship at Academia Sinica, focusing on innovative approaches to strengthening the body's immune response to cancer.

"I am especially excited for the opportunity to travel to Taiwan and work under the mentorship of Dr. Hu (…) focusing on how new approaches can strengthen the body's immune response to cancer," she said. "I know this will be an experience I carry with me for a long time."

She also credited her experience at Lamar University with helping shape her academic path.

"At Lamar, I have really been able to explore my interests and meet so many amazing people while being part of meaningful opportunities," Tran said. "Those experiences have helped me see how research and medicine can come together to make a real impact."

Jobby, a biology major with a minor in chemistry and a pre-optometry concentration, will conduct research in Boston focused on ocular health, specifically examining how diabetes affects the eye.

"I feel sincerely appreciative to have received the David J. Beck Fellowship and look forward to the opportunity to grow as a researcher and contribute to work that can improve patient outcomes," Jobby said.

She will work at the New England College of Optometry in the Ocular Surface Disease Lab, where she will be trained in research techniques and immunohistochemistry methods through a Harvard-affiliated imaging facility.

"My research will focus on how diabetes impacts ocular health, an area that is particularly meaningful given my family history of the disease," Jobby said. "I hope that my work will contribute to interventions that improve outcomes for diabetic patients."

Jobby said her preparation at Lamar University extended beyond the classroom, highlighting support from faculty and campus programs.

"From the Pre-Professional Committee supporting my preparations for the OAT exam to the Student Health Center giving me the opportunity to spread awareness about ocular health as a Peer Health Educator, I remain grateful and humbled by the support I've received," she said.

All three students emphasized the importance of representing Lamar University through the fellowship.

"I am also incredibly grateful for the chance to grow, not just academically, but personally, and to represent Lamar through this experience," Tran said. "I am truly grateful to Mr. Beck for making opportunities like this possible."

The Beck Fellowship, funded through a gift from businessman David J. Beck, is designed to expand students' academic and professional experiences beyond the classroom while preparing them for careers in research, medicine and related fields.