Montana Lagat 2022 ~ Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship
Aloha mai kākou! My name is Montana Lagat and I am honored to be selected as a Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship recipient this year.
My full name is Montana Allycia Soling Keʻalohilohiluaʻolemepoʻokela Lagat. I am from the town of Keaʻau on Hawaiʻi Island. I recently graduated from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii and will be attending Stanford University this fall. I plan to major in either Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering and pursue a career within the medical research industry.
The Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship aims to support Native Hawaiian students pursuing careers related to science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. I’d recommend that all Native Hawaiian high school seniors interested in STEM apply for this scholarship because it relieves much financial stress that comes with attending college. It’s worth dedicating a little extra time to apply for this scholarship and others like this that were created to support your educational journey!
I am interested in studying bioengineering/chemical engineering because both fields can help me to become a medical researcher and help me to fulfill my goal of contributing to the field of cancer research and treatment development. Because cancer is a leading cause of death both in Hawaiʻi and the United States, it is a health issue that I feel is important to address through advancement and applications of science and technology.
I recently completed an internship at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to determine whether Native Hawaiian ʻolena (turmeric) extract has a significant effect on the proliferation of cancerous neuroblastoma cells. Under a current PhD student at UH Hilo, I conducted research experiments to observe how the cancer cells reacted when different concentrations of fresh ʻolena extract were applied to the cells. This research experience was fascinating and encouraged me to pursue a career in STEM and plan to become a medical researcher.
Link to Research Presentation ^^^
After obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree at Stanford, I plan to submit an application for the Coterminal Program in Bioengineering. According to the Stanford University Bioengineering Webpage, this program allows students “to study for a master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree(s) in the same or a different department.” To be able to complete a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree within five years would put me in a great position to dive deeper into my interests in engineering and science while allowing me to enter the workforce with greater experience, field specialization, and as a more qualified job applicant.
With the help of the Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship, I will be able to financially support my college education and positively represent Native Hawaiians in STEM. I am so grateful to Hoala Greevy and the Paubox organization for providing me with funds to support me as I continue to leverage my passion for science throughout college and expand my knowledge throughout the next four years.
