Three U of A graduate students — Lexi Applequist, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering; Kayla Ford, a doctoral student in clinical psychology; and Eva Stephani Caroline, a doctoral student in public policy — recently won prestigious awards from the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Applequist and Ford won the $20,000 Scholar Award from the organization, while Caroline won the $5,000 International Peace Scholarship.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded Jan. 21, 1869, at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is a philanthropic educational organization dedicated to supporting higher education for women. There are approximately 6,000 local chapters in the U.S. and Canada with nearly a quarter of a million active members.

The Scholar Awards were established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. Scholar Awards recipients are a select group of women chosen for their high level of academic achievement and their potential for having a positive impact on society.

The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship provides funding to international women pursuing graduate degrees in the U.S. and Canada to foster global peace through education. IPS recipients carry the spirit of P.E.O. back to their home countries, where the degrees they have earned positively impact people's lives around the globe.

Lexi Applequist

Applequist was sponsored by Chapter DX of Fayetteville. She holds a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the U of A and expects to earn her master's degree in biomedical engineering from the university in the spring. She currently serves as a graduate student researcher in the Mechanobiology and Soft Materials Laboratory in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the university. Among other projects, she is working to develop and commercialize a lab-grown heart model to serve as a screening tool for new pharmaceutical drugs and treatments.

"I am honored to accept this prestigious PEO Scholar Award," Applequist said. "Under the traditional financial constraints of graduate school, it can be difficult to dedicate adequate attention to classes and research; this award allows just that. I am excited to further my research, share my experiences and, most importantly, work towards more equitable and accessible healthcare for all. This award supports some of the nation's top doctoral women; I'm truly honored to be a part of this impressive group of world-changers."

"I would like to thank the Fayetteville PEO Chapter DX for their support and nomination," she continued. "I would also like to say a special thank you to my Ph.D. adviser Dr. Kartik Balachandran, Dr. Raj Rao, Dr. Mostafa Elsaadany, my many supportive lab mates, my colleagues with Global Reach Bionics and my friends who helped review my application."

Kayla Ford

Ford was sponsored by Chapter K of Fayetteville. She holds a bachelor's in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a master's degree in psychology from the U of A. As a doctoral student, Ford delivers trauma-focused therapy to incarcerated women and assists prospective clients in accessing mental health services at the Psychological Clinic on campus. Previously, she has provided therapy to survivors of domestic violence and adults enrolled in a drug court. Her research is centered on preventing and treating outcomes of sexual assault, particularly when alcohol is involved.

"I'm incredibly excited and grateful to have been selected for this award! It's truly an honor, and I'm looking forward to the opportunities this scholarship will provide," Ford said. "I'm eager to pursue additional training opportunities and certifications that will enrich my ability to provide effective therapy to trauma survivors. What drew me to P.E.O. is their strong emphasis on supporting women, which aligns perfectly with my research and clinical goals."

"I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to my P.E.O. chapter, and especially Barbara Cope, for their incredible support throughout the application process and beyond," she continued. "They have gone above and beyond to support me, and I deeply appreciate their kindness. I also want to express immense gratitude to my letter writers, Drs. Lindsay S. Ham, Byron L. Zamboanga and Ana J. Bridges, for their unwavering commitment to my growth as a future psychologist."

Eva Stephani Caroline

Caroline holds a bachelor's degree in fisheries from Fisheries University in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a master's degree in agricultural economics and agribusiness from the U of A. In her time as a doctoral student, she has collaborated with faculty on projects related to irrigation, rice production and the forestry sector.

"I am beyond excited and profoundly honored to have been selected for this scholarship, representing the University of Arkansas and my home country of Indonesia," she said. "It validates my dedication to furthering my education and reaffirms my commitment to empowering women, both within my family and in the broader community. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and am eager to use it as a platform to advocate for gender equality and inspire others to pursue their dreams."

"Apart from my husband and daughters, who have always supported me, I'd like to express my gratitude to Made Harumi Padmaswari, my Indonesian fellow student, for introducing me to this scholarship opportunity; the Graduate School and International Education for organizing an information session about this scholarship; Dr. Qiuqiong Huang, my adviser, who has consistently supported me throughout my academic journey and provided me with a letter of recommendation for this scholarship; and Cynthia Smith in the International Students and Scholars Office, who provided me with the opportunity to present about Indonesia in various International Culture Team events and provided me a letter of recommendation for this scholarship. Their guidance and support have been invaluable on this journey."