Studying at one of the youngest universities in America, USF students are encouraged to participate early and often in undergraduate research and find innovative ways to collaborate across disciplines. This prepares them well for graduate study at prestigious schools around the globe, including the world’s second oldest university, Oxford.
USF Bulls have been well represented recently in master’s programs at the University of Oxford, with nine more slated to begin graduate studies there this fall. In the past five years, 12 of these students were able to afford this exceptional education thanks to the generous Frost Scholarship, a program supported by the Phillip and Patricia Frost Philanthropic Foundation. This scholarship provides funding for top students to study for a full year in master’s courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields at Oxford.
Three graduating Honors College students, Janine DeBlasi, Justin Doherty and Alejandro Navas have been awarded Frost Scholarships. In addition, this year Kayla Li was awarded Oxford’s Medical Sciences Graduate School Studentship, which will fully fund her graduate studies in clinical embryology.
Pursuing a MSc in integrated immunology, Doherty plans to attend medical school after completing studies at Oxford. He will do so with global experience and the benefit of studying at the institution named the top university in the world for the second consecutive year by The Times Higher Education Global Rankings.
Oxford’s global focus, pursuit of new knowledge, and passion to improve the quality of life for others aligns perfectly with USF’s undergraduate experience.
“We encourage our students to connect with the world and become global leaders with cultural understanding, fueling their passion to improve human health and well-being” says Ralph Wilcox, USF provost and executive vice president. “This, combined with a dedication to undergraduate research and community engagement, prepares them well for programs at institutions such as Oxford.”
The nine new alumni will travel to England this fall to begin their graduate studies and add to the growing tradition of Bulls at Oxford. “Our students are competing at the very highest level internationally,” says USF Honors College Dean Charles Adams.