About Us

Dr. Sayandeb Basu joined the Office of National Scholars (ONS) as its new director in May 2016 from the University of the Pacific in California, where he was faculty in Physics and the Honors College. Dr. Basu is a theoretical physicist and has published on quantum physics, and on the physics of black holes for more than a decade. He experienced a global education, including in India, at the University of Cambridge UK, and at the University of California, Davis, where he obtained his Ph.D. Dr. Basu's passion is nurturing students to become architects of their personal academic and professional goals. He had a successful stint at the University of the Pacific as the chief STEM liaison for the office of fellowships; He combined his love of culture, language, international study experience and mentoring skills to help foster the cause for a campus culture where faculty, students, and peers joined forces to make student success a habit rather than a cliché. At the University of South Florida, he brings this enthusiasm and commitment to the ONS, to make his office one of the key hubs of achievement and intellectual accomplishments for USF students.

Ms. Chambers joined the Honors College in 2008, and the Office of National Scholars in 2011. She is currently the Associate Director of the Office of National Scholars (ONS), and the Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA) for USF. Ms. Chambers has lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years and received her bachelor's degree in Public Relations and master's degree in Public Health from the University of Florida. She is a member of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors (NAFA) and has presented at NAFA conferences on the connection between appreciative advising and fellowships advising. Ms. Chambers published an article in the Journal of Appreciative Education titled "The Subtleties of Appreciative Advising: Expanding Practices Beyond the Conversation."

Ms. Roberts joined the Office of National Scholars in October 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Biology from Denison University and a graduate degree in Education with a concentration in College Student Affairs from University of South Florida. She participated in a wildlife management study abroad program in Kenya and Tanzania as an undergraduate student, which fueled her desire to work with both study abroad and experiential learning in environmental fields. Lauren is eager to help students have life-changing experiences that serve as a catalyst for further opportunities.

Mr. Brattvet joined the Office of National Scholars in July 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida with two minors - Sociology of Public Policy and Innovation. He participated in a legislative internship in Washington D.C. as an undergraduate student, which has fueled his desire to work with both study away and national scholarships that propel students into public service careers. As a first-generation college graduate, Brett is excited to connect students to life-changing experiences they might have never believed possible.