Rees-Chancellor\u2019s Scholars<\/a> candidate.<\/p>\nMeet the 2026 cohort<\/p>\n
Benjamin Arbelaez<\/p>\n
Hometown: Somerdale, New Jersey<\/p>\n
Major: Industrial engineering<\/p>\n
A lifelong music lover and former drum major with a passion for improving systems, Arbelaez\u2019s interest in engineering was sparked by observing the seamless design of complex systems, leading him to pursue expertise in supply chain and data analysis. At Pitt, he looks forward to combining his technical studies with a music minor while striving to innovate and elevate the communities around him.<\/p>\n
Samuel Caplan<\/p>\n
Hometown: Hockessin, Delaware<\/p>\n
Major: Public policy<\/p>\n
Caplan is a multi-instrumentalist driven by a passion for political activism and community leadership. He has already begun his journey in local politics and looks forward to integrating himself into the Pittsburgh political landscape. His academic aspirations focus on researching education policy, environmental policy and socioeconomic disparities to better help his community.<\/p>\n
Andy Coffey<\/p>\n
Hometown: Coppell, Texas<\/p>\n
Major: Bioengineering<\/p>\n
Coffey is a certified EMT driven by a fascination with how the human body and brain function. She seeks to explore the intersections of bioengineering, emergency medicine and social justice. At Pitt, Coffey looks forward to engaging in research topics from molecular networks to government initiatives while preparing for a career as a surgeon.<\/p>\n
Ikksha \u201cKiekie\u201d Das<\/p>\n
Hometown: West Hills, California<\/p>\n
Major: Biochemistry<\/p>\n
Das has extensive leadership experience as a high-ranking JROTC cadet and as the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to supporting neurodivergent students. At Pitt, she aspires to integrate biochemistry with anthropology to advance more equitable, culturally informed and personalized approaches to medicine.<\/p>\n
Logan Hollowood<\/p>\n
Hometown: Washington, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n
Major: Computer engineering<\/p>\n
Hollowood is a robotics enthusiast inspired by the fulfillment of helping others succeed. In high school, he dedicated time to mentoring under-resourced robotics teams and providing a safe space for peers at a local teen center. At Pitt, Hollowood aspires to apply his skills in autonomous robotics and computer engineering to impactful fields like search and rescue.<\/p>\n
Jacob Johnson<\/p>\n
Hometown: Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
Major: Bioengineering<\/p>\n
Johnson believes the world\u2019s most important problems require interdisciplinary solutions. He has already gained significant experience through three summers of research in startups and academia, focusing on immunoengineering and regenerative medicine. At Pitt, he seeks to combine his willingness to ask big questions with a career dedicated to real-world scientific impact.<\/p>\n
Rylie Loughran<\/p>\n
Hometown: Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
Major: Computer science<\/p>\n
Loughran has distinguished herself through four years of leadership in robotics and active engagement with legislators to promote community STEM funding. At Pitt, she aspires to engage in interdisciplinary research that leverages machine learning to advance healthcare outcomes and biomedical research.<\/p>\n
Arathena McCormick<\/p>\n
Hometown: Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
Major: Education<\/p>\n
McCormick is a bilingual valedictorian driven by a deep commitment to educational equity and restorative justice. She has spent years teaching dance and vocal performance to younger students. Her academic aspirations include earning a master\u2019s degree in elementary and special education to influence education policy and create inclusive learning environments.<\/p>\n
Adithri Pingali<\/p>\n
Hometown: Jeanette, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n
Major: Neuroscience<\/p>\n
Pingali is a published poet with an intense curiosity for the human mind. Having served as an EMT and conducted research on treatments for ALS, she is passionate about applying her background in cognitive neuroscience to medical advancement. At Pitt, she aspires to continue her research journey on the pre-med track while pursuing her diverse interests in music and writing.<\/p>\n
Alexia Purkanto<\/p>\n
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n
Major: Finance<\/p>\n
Purkanto is an entrepreneur and sustainability advocate focused on community-based environmental impact, having established a local composting co-op. Her academic aspirations at Pitt involve combining finance and entrepreneurship to direct capital toward global innovations that foster both economic opportunity and social good.<\/p>\n
Greyson Roderick<\/p>\n
Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island<\/p>\n
Major: Pre-medicine<\/p>\n
Roderick is motivated by a belief that medicine is a vocation defined by compassion and inquiry. He has demonstrated leadership by founding a peer tutoring organization and a table tennis club, alongside excelling in vocal performance and martial arts. At Pitt, Roderick aspires to double major in neuroscience and philosophy to develop a holistic understanding of the mind, body and soul.<\/p>\n
Anya Roy<\/p>\n
Hometown: Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
Major: Mathematics<\/p>\n
Roy is passionate about discovering the mysteries within mathematics and philosophy. Her unique drive is evidenced by three summers of bioinformatics research at Pitt and over a decade of dedication to classical piano and dance. At Pitt, she aspires to build a stimulating community of peers while conducting research that embraces the unknown.<\/p>\n
Kyle Sewake<\/p>\n
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii<\/p>\n
Major: Molecular biology<\/p>\n
Sewake is passionate about the biochemical changes that govern our sense of reality and the historical stories that built our modern nation. At Pitt, he hopes to conduct research on neurodegenerative conditions with a minor in U.S. history.<\/p>\n
Jacob Warner<\/p>\n
Hometown: Foley, Alabama<\/p>\n
Major: Electrical engineer<\/p>\n
Warner is driven by a desire to understand the fundamental patterns and concepts that govern life. In high school, he demonstrated excellence in both academics and athletics, earning recognition as a premier diplomat in Model U.N. and a regional scholar-athlete in swimming. His goals include strengthening the power grid and developing affordable clean energy production methods through electrical engineering.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The University of Pittsburgh David C. Frederick Honors College has announced its 2026 cohort of Rees-Chancellor\u2019s Scholars. Expanded…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":272508,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[73,75,74],"class_list":["post-272507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/272508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=272507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=272507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}