Virginia A. Beal Graduate Scholarship
Yuanyuan Deng
Yuanyuan Deng is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Nutrition program. Her hobbies include reading literary works and outdoor jogging. Yuanyuan’s research focuses on nutritional epidemiology and how consuming fruits and vegetables affects male reproductive health issues such as prostate and bladder cancers. After graduating from UMass, Yuanyuan hopes to work in the publishing industry, using books or mass media to educate the public and share interesting nutritional knowledge. These programs advocate consuming increased amounts of fruits as a preventive strategy to foster healthier eating habits and boost awareness among the general population.
The scholarship has been a source of pride and joy for my family. They are thrilled and proud of my achievements, and the financial support has provided them with a sense of relief. My goal is to make the most of my time at UMass, enjoying every moment as I work towards earning my Ph.D. I am committed to utilizing the resources and opportunities available here to achieve my dreams. In conclusion, your generosity has made a significant impact on my life and my academic journey. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate your support. Thank you for believing in me and helping me get closer to my goals.
Vi Vien Khoo
Vivien Khoo is a doctoral candidate whose research focuses on the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy and how it impacts a child’s neurocognitive outcome. Besides pursuing research, Vivien also enjoys cooking and hiking with her dog.
This fellowship not only provides much needed financial support but also affirms my research and academic pursuits. The support from this fellowship will allow me to focus on completing my studies and research. Thank you once again for your generous support for investing in my future. I am eager to uphold the stands of excellence associated with this prestigious fellowship.
Judy Kim
Judy Kim is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Department of Nutrition where she conducts groundbreaking research on nutrition and metabolic disease studying how repeated weight cycling with a ketogenic diet affects weight maintenance, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. Also, she's exploring how dietary compounds like cranberry proanthocyanidin and esculetin impact neuronal regulation, energy metabolism, and the gut microbiome to counter these metabolic effects.
Receiving this scholarship is a great honor. It motivates me to continue striving for academic excellence. Your belief in my potential and your investment in my education have provided me with a renewed sense of confidence and determination. The Virginia A. Beal Graduate Fellowship enables me to focus more on my studies and engage in various opportunities that will enhance my educational experience. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity.