16
September
2020
|
00:00 AM
Europe/Amsterdam

Bioengineering Alumnae Establish Undergraduate Scholarship

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 16, 2020) … Two bioengineering alumnae from the University of Pittsburgh established a scholarship for students, who like them, are passionate about STEM education.

The Stephanie F. Coquia and Angela L. Fu Scholarship in Bioengineering will provide support for tuition and other education-related expenses for a sophomore, junior, or senior student in good academic standing in the Department of Bioengineering at the Swanson School of Engineering.

Preference will be given to students who reside in states outside of Pennsylvania and who have demonstrated involvement in extracurricular activities in high school.

Drs. Coquia (BS BioE ‘02) and Fu (BS BioE ‘03), who became friends during their time at Pitt, want to acknowledge the program’s impact on their professional lives and provide support for current students to experience the same opportunity.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the University of Pittsburgh and the Department of Bioengineering, and I wouldn’t have gone to Pitt or gotten a bioengineering degree if I hadn’t received a scholarship,” said Dr. Coquia. “So, this is my way of giving back. I am happy to be sponsoring this scholarship with Angela.”

“The one thing that I have enjoyed most after graduating and starting my career is mentoring current students in their post graduation and career choices,” said Dr. Fu. “The scholarship will hopefully assist one student financially so they can focus on the decisions affecting their future.”

The pair studied in the department during its nascent years and flourished along with the program. Since its first graduating class in 2000, the number of degrees awarded has tripled from roughly 20 in 2000 to 66 this past spring semester.

“I am thankful to Stephanie and Angela for their generosity. It is wonderful to see our former students thrive in their professional careers and want to give back to the department,” said Sanjeev Shroff, distinguished professor and Gerald E. McGinnis Chair of bioengineering. “I am delighted that this scholarship will help provide a Swanson School education to deserving students and contribute to the growing number of successful bioengineering alumni.”

# # #

Contact: Leah Russell