2023 Watson fellows announced

Three student members of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are among the 42 college seniors named to the 55^th class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. Paige Bristow of Ursinus College, Jocelyn Velasquez Baez of Wesleyan University and Benjamin Oelkers of Rhodes College will receive the fellowship, which supports a year of travel abroad for a focused exploration of world issues.

The ASBMB student members who won Watson fellowships are, from left, Jocelyn Velasquez Baez, Benjamin Oelkers and Paige Bristow.

Bristow, who has a triple major in biochemistry, politics and international relations, will examine how crises — from COVID to climate change — impact women leaders in India, Japan, Italy and Switzerland.

Velasquez Baez, who has a double major in molecular biology and biochemistry and science in society, will study ethical understandings of traditional medicine within indigenous and ethnic communities in New Zealand, the Philippines, Nepal, Ghana, Ecuador and Canada.

Oelkers, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, will probe why some pediatric cancer patients choose to terminate treatment in the United Kingdom, South Africa, India and the Phillipines.

Jeanette K. Watson, the widow of Thomas J. Watson, an early leader of IBM, established the Watson Foundation in 1961. Since the fellowship program began in 1969, the foundation has chosen over 3,000 fellows, based on nominations from 41 participating colleges and universities. The fellowship offers $40,000 for 12 months of travel and college loan assistance as needed.

This year’s Watson fellows hail from 20 states and four countries and represent a variety of academic areas and backgrounds. They will travel to 54 countries to explore such issues as climate refugees, coastal resilience, disability care improvement and entrepreneurial inclusion.