$25k Edison STEM grant helps La Sierra students pursue dreams

La Sierra University chemistry major Stephanie Merlos and mathematics major Christopher Avery Bradley were among 13 La Sierra students awarded a total of $20,000 in STEM scholarships from Edison this spring quarter. The funds are intended to help fill careers in the STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics arenas, fields the United States would like to bolster in its pursuit of innovation.

Edison gave out five $1,000 awards and eight scholarships of $1,875 each. The $20,000 in scholarship funds are coupled with an additional $5,000 for the university’s Center for Student Academic Success to help cover math and science tutoring services.

Merlos, a 25-year-old Fontana resident, received a $1,875 award and was the only chemistry major among the scholarship recipients who hailed mainly from the mathematics and computer science departments. She aims to earn a doctorate in pharmaceutical science and ultimately work in research with compound pharmacy. She received word of the scholarship in March through an email. It was a particularly welcome message.

“As a single mother I struggle financially to pay for school and this scholarship was definitely a blessing from God,” said Merlos. “This scholarship means so much for my son and I. It allows me to come to school, having minimal stress on paying for my tuition and getting us that much closer to my career goal.”

Bradley, who goes by Avery, also was granted $1,875. He was informed about the Edison scholarship in math professor Jon Vanderwerff's class. Bradley was initially more attracted by the extra academic credits he would earn by applying for the scholarship. He had applied for such funds in the past and had not received the needed aid.

“When I heard that I had received the scholarship, I was pretty stoked and knew that the extra money would be very helpful in my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in mathematics,” said the 22-year-old Loma Linda resident. “Personally, this scholarship means quite a bit and it really shows me that there is a strong need for STEM majors and other technical degrees.”

In the near term, he plans to pursue work in data science and enter graduate school within the next five years. “One day I will be a teacher and enlighten the minds of young scholars,” Bradley said during a scholarship presentation ceremony.

Math major and Edison scholarship recipient Jennifer Miranda said she plans to use her degree to teach upper division math in secondary education. “I’m super grateful to have this opportunity and win this scholarship,” she said. She received a $1,000 award.

Timothy Royce Olarte, a math major who received a $1,875 scholarship, also plans to teach mathematics. Olarte aims to use his honors research project as a gateway to a future doctoral work. He investigated ways in which music, tactile approaches and other methods can be used in teaching elementary math. “One of the biggest issues is when they’re [young students] instilled with anxiety -- then it’s hard to teach them here.” 

Student research played a role in the scholarship application process. Merlos worked with La Sierra’s archaeology and chemistry departments on a project to advance the field of archaeology using chemistry components and x-ray fluorescence. This summer she will conduct research at Loma Linda University involving oxidation of pesticides.

Bradley’s research consisted of creating a physics simulation that represents the flight path of a golf ball based on several parameters including spin rate, initial velocity, and axis of rotation. “I plan on finding an internship this summer doing data analysis that will hopefully open the door to the field of data science, something I plan on doing as a career until I attend graduate school,” he said. “After graduate school, I plan on teaching mathematics at a university level.”

La Sierra University majors that qualify for the Edison scholarships include mathematics, computer science, information systems, environmental science, chemistry, and physics.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, STEM-related occupations are expected to increase 14 percent overall through 2020, with the greatest increase predicted in biomedical engineering at 62 percent. The field for medical scientists is expected to grow 36 percent, for systems software developers by 32 percent, computer systems analysts by 22 percent, and mathematics careers by 16 percent.

Edison International, a generator and distributor of electric power with 2014 operating revenue of $13.4 billion, is the parent holding company of Southern California Edison and other subsidiaries. Edison International also operates a philanthropic arm which in 2015 gave $1.2 million in STEM scholarships to students.