Meet the Clark Scholars

Raphael Kalatzis

Athens, Greece

Mechanical Engineering

Hobbies

I love to play and watch soccer! It’s been a big part of my life from a young age. Additionally, I enjoy running, listening to music of all kinds, and spending time with friends.

Future Goals

At the moment, I am unsure of the career I intend to pursue. However, I aspire to explore and learn as much as I can in within engineering in hopes of discovering the specific fields and disciplines that I am most interested in. I know for a fact that I want to make a positive impact on the world – I’m simply in the process of discovering how.

Gabrielle Lederman

Staten Island, NY

Bioengineering

Hobbies

In my free time, I enjoy various activities ranging from volunteer work and community activities to exercising and weight-lifting. I generally spend my days at the gym, focusing on the significance of physical fitness, or more specifically, weight training, has on one’s mental health, as it has helped me tremendously during times I was not at my best. Along with this, I also like giving back to my community, whether it being volunteering at my local hospital or donating items to the less fortunate. I firmly believe that being strong, both mentally and physically, is of utmost importance because it is what truly shaped me to be the person who I am today.

Future Goals

I plan to take advantage of the vast research opportunities at Penn to grow, learn, and analyze new information within the engineering community. I hope to someday take on additional responsibilities and contribute as much value as possible to ultimately better our society and become a successful entrepreneur and team leader.

Eric Lee

Irvine, CA

Computer Science

Hobbies

I love to program mobile apps, play the guitar, play tennis, go weightlifting, or simply going out with friends.

Future Goals

I hope to not only pursue computer science but also its relationships with business. I also hope to pursue the intersection between different fields of study and computer science, more specifically criminology. Most of all, I hope to gain real-life practical experiences through engineering internships and research opportunities.

Tiffany Lian

Charleston, WV

Computer Science

Hobbies

Drawing

Future Goals

Survive and succeed.

Michelle Lin

Charlotte Hall, MD

Mechanical Engineering

Hobbies

Baking, skiing, reading, and drawing

Future Goals

To obtain my Bachelor’s degree and possibly an Accelerated Masters degree.

Juan Lopez

Seymour, CT

Computer Science

Hobbies

Fishing, soccer, spikeball, listening to music, and reselling shoes.

Future Goals

To form lifelong relationships and connections with people while also maintaining great grades.

Jomal Mathew

Philadelphia, PA

Electrical Engineering

Hobbies

I like to play the piano, cook and try foods from different cuisines, and hang out with my friends. Recently, I've been brushing up on my Spanish and started learning Italian online.

Future Goals

My goal is to learn about quantum mechanics and its real-world applications within the burgeoning field of nanotechnology. In a more general sense, at Penn, I hope to meet and learn from a diverse student body that will broaden my world views and make me a better person.

Yufan Ou

La Grange, IL

Computer Engineering

Hobbies

I love to go on long runs, especially to explore the unknown places. Additionally, I go on long internet hunts, particularly to explore novel ideas. Sometimes I take apart gadgets, pondering whether it could be rebuilt better. I am always asking questions, and never ceases to search for solutions.

Future Goals

I hope to explore and push the boundaries of semiconductor technology to reimagine what is possible. Utilizing the breakthroughs, I will implement the new technology to help better the quality of life for everyone, paving equitable access to unprecedented amount of knowledge and processing power.

Jason Ventura

Morris Plains, NJ

Electrical Engineering

Hobbies

I enjoy biking and tennis during the summer, and try to go fishing whenever I can. I also love trying new foods!

Future Goals

I hope to be involved in research, especially in robotics and nanotechnology. Also am considering a minor in materials science & engineering, and plan on joining the aerospace club and electric racing team.

Amehja Williams

Philadelphia, PA

Electrical Engineering

Hobbies

Writing poetry/sci-fi short stories, watching movies, listening to Ray LaMontagne

Future Goals

At Penn, I hope to more deeply explore the role engineering plays in stewardship; My ultimate goal is to be an engineer on NASA’s first manned mission to Mars.