College of Arts and Sciences Students Advance as Fulbright Semifinalists
This year, eleven College of Arts and Sciences students have been selected as semifinalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student program.
Ten current seniors and one alumna, representing 14 majors across the University, 13 of which are in the College of Arts and Sciences, are one step closer to spending a year abroad engaging in cross-cultural dialogue through the Fulbright program. These students have demonstrated meaningful dedication to their areas of study and involvement within the Santa Clara University community. If chosen as program finalists, they will have the unparalleled opportunity to travel internationally to perform research, teach English, or continue with graduate studies.
Megan Baldemor ’26
Study Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Major: Biology
Minors: Chemistry, Medical & Health Humanities
Involvement on campus: Cocas Laboratory, Health Care Ethics Internship, Dancer & Choreographer for Images 2026, Ignatian Fellowship, Hooks for Hope, Peer Educator in Dance, Carter-O'Connell Laboratory, Office of Institutional Research, Goldwater Scholarship, Strauss Scholarship, Alpha Sigma Nu (Co-President), Tri-Beta Honors Society, Michael Sweeney Endowed Award, Hayes Fellowship, Science Ambassador Scholarship Finalist, University Honors Program
If selected, Megan will conduct dementia and stem cell research at University College London with Dr. Karen Duff.
Cassi Bull ’26
Teaching Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Majors: Child Studies, Psychology
Involvement on campus: University Honors Program, Clare Boothe Luce Research Award, Study Abroad, Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP), A Cappella
If selected, Cassi will teach English in Taiwan.
Katie Duffy ’24
Research Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Stamford, CT
Major: Political Science
Minors: Public Health, Sustainable Food Systems
Involvement on campus: Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, Miller Center, Associated Student Government, Study Abroad, University Honors Program
If selected, Katie will be conducting research in Zambia.
Isabela Erfort ’26
Teaching Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL
Majors: French & Francophone Studies, Marketing
Minor: International Business
Involvement on campus: University Honors Program, Leavey Scholars Program, Study Abroad, Modern Languages Student Ambassador, Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society
If selected, Isabela will teach English in France.
Grace Falci ’26
Research Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Mamaroneck, NY
Major: Environmental Science
Minor: Biology
Involvement on campus: Miller Center for Global Impact, University Honors Program, Center for Sustainability, Into the Wild, Surfrider, Study Abroad
If selected, Grace will be conducting research in Sydney, Australia in collaboration with a professor at the University of New South Wales.
Shivani Glynn ’26
Research Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Swampscott, MA
Majors: Environmental Studies, Communication (Film Emphasis)
Involvement on campus: Miller Center Fellow, Former intern at Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, KSCU Exec member, Study Abroad
If selected, Shivani will produce and film a documentary on the 2024 flooding in Valencia, Spain.
Natalie Mata ’26
Study Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Major: Psychology
Involvement on campus: Women's Rugby
If selected, Natalie will pursue a one year masters degree in forensic psychology at University of Kent in the UK.
Shea Mulqueeney ’26
Study Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Issaquah, WA
Majors: Environmental Studies, Public Health Science
Minor: Sustainability
Involvement on campus: Associated Student Government, Valeriote-Goldman Fellow, University Honors Program, Alpha Sigma Nu, Research Assistant, Study Abroad, Immersion Program, Club Ultimate Frisbee
If selected, Shea will study for a Master of Political Ecology at Lancaster University in England.
Zander Rafalovich ’26
Research Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Majors: Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychology
Minors: Biology, Biotechnology
Involvement on campus: Cocas lab, Sullivan lab, Hajcak lab, Neuroscience & Psychology Department Mentorship Program Co-Chair, REAL award, Hackworth fellowship, University Honors Program, Psi Chi Honors Society, Study Abroad, Chess Club President
If selected, Zander will study reward processing in a meditative and non-meditative population in Sri Lanka, and additional research with Sri Lankan Buddhist monks.
Jasmine Wu ’26
Research Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Major: Chemistry
Involvement on campus: Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholar, Ben Stokes Lab O-chem research, Strauss Scholar, SCCAP Associate Director, Hooks for Hope Co-President
If selected, Jasmine will join Dr. Paul Dyson’s Inorganic research lab at EPFL in Switzerland studying heat activated prodrugs for targeting pediatric eye cancer.
Saron Weldemariam ’26
Study Award Semi-Finalist
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Majors: Political Science, Sociology
Minor: International Studies
Involvement on campus: LEAD Scholars, Miller Center Lewis Family Fellow, Markkula Center Hackworth Fellow, Study Abroad, Igwebuike, the African Student Association (ASA), the Eritrean Ethiopian Student Association (EESA), and multiple immersion trips through the Ignatian Center
If selected, Saron will pursue a Master's in International Affairs at the Hertie School in Berlin, concentrating on Human Rights and Global Governance.