Breadcrumb
Scholarships
Humboldt-CIRM Scholars participate in a 12-month, research-intensive internship at the Stanford University Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or the University of California, Davis (UCD) Institute for Regenerative Cures. Scholars receive a monthly stipend of $2,500 in addition to a $5,000 scholarship to be put towards their Cal Poly Humboldt enrollment fees.
Past Scholars: 2023-2024, 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020, 2018-2019, 2017-2018, 2016-2017, 2015-2016, 2014-2015, 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2011-2012, 2010-2011, 2009-2010
2023-2024
Katin Kendrena, Fall semester
This spring of 2025, I will be participating in the USAC UCC (Cork Ireland) study abroad program. I am excited about the opportunity to share my adventures with others, and make connections with people across the country! 
Nessa Bagley, Fall semester
I will be studying abroad at Maastricht University in the south of the Netherlands. I chose this location because it is in the heart of Europe and I have a strong interest in the economics of the European Union. 
Ayan Cabot, Spring semester
My name is Ayan Cabot (he/him/his), and I am currently a freshman at Cal Poly Humboldt. I am planning to major in Political Science (Global Politics Concentration) with minors in International Studies and Spanish. I was born in Bakersfield, California, and spent a short time of my childhood in Mexico where I moved with my family. While there, I had the opportunity to learn Spanish. Years later, I moved to Fortuna, California, where I attended high school. In high school, I applied to study abroad in Europe with the Rotary Youth Exchange. I had the opportunity to live in Zurich, Switzerland. While I was away, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and language. I learned Swiss German, German, and French. I also had the opportunity to visit other countries all over Europe. Having had the opportunity to live in different countries has opened my eyes to new cultures and, most importantly, has helped me make important connections with people from all over the world. These previous experiences are why I want to continue my journey of studying abroad, which is why I’m planning to participate in the León Program for summer 2024 in León, Spain, and allow myself to grow academically and personally. Additionally, there are countless memories and connections that I will make along the way that are remarkable.2021-2022
Asia Brunell, Spring 2022 Recipient
Asia Brunell will be studying Theater Arts because she loves being on stage, working on productions, and helping people who are working on stage. After she graduates, she plans on getting her teaching credential and becoming a Drama and English teacher. She is currently the Vice President of the Drama Club and President of the Key Club. Outside of school she spends a lot of time with family, friends, and at Girl Scouts. She loves to paint and go to stores, or the park with friends.
Aidan Dugan-Culton, Spring 2022 Recipient
Aidan Dugan-Culton is a Spanish Major. Dugan-Culton looks forward to participating in internships and gaining work experience while they study at Cal Poly Humboldt. Both of their parents met and earned their degrees from Humboldt and some of Aidan’s first memories were their parents taking them on walks between the redwoods behind campus. Dugan-Culton is excited to experience Humboldt as their parents did and are grateful to be getting some financial help to do so.
Ruby Gustafson, Spring 2022 Recipient
Ruby Gustafson will be studying Journalism and hopes to learn the skills necessary to embark on her mission of more virtuous and honest news reporting. She will be aiming to help individuals be able to precisely discern between fact and opinion and to show the world to those who need to see it, in its rawest, most honest form. Gustafson believes it takes an entire community of engaged individuals to help progress the next generation in a direction that is fruitful and sustainable.
Olivia Pelanconi, Spring 2022 Recipient
Olivia Pelanconi will be studying Environmental Science and Management and hopes to make a positive impact on the environment after earning her degree. She grew up hearing about Humboldt from her mom, who earned her BA from Humboldt State University in the 1990s and is now a high school teacher at Red Bluff High School. Her mom has made Humboldt sound like a safe and fun place with plenty of learning opportunities, and Pelanconi looks forward to her first year here.
Noé Niño, Spring 2022 Recipient
Noé Niño is studying History & Cellular-Molecular Biology. He chose these two majors since both of these studies focus on developing research skills. Niño hopes to pursue a career in medicine after his time at Humboldt. He is in his second year as the social media manager for Cal Poly Humboldt’s Pre-Medical Society and posts an array of updates and reminders on behalf of the club to their Instagram page. Outside of school, he loves to read, go outdoors with his two pet huskies, and travel around Humboldt County with friends and family.
Jay Schoenfield, Spring 2022 Recipient
Jay Schoenfield has spent the last three years working full-time in many different industries and will be studying social work as a graduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt. Through working these jobs, Schoenfield has met and spoken with people who work within at-risk communities, and the way in which these jobs impact the world has had a profound effect on him. Positive experiences at his previous internship this last semester have led him to decide to work within the public education system as a school counselor. Working with children is a passion of his and connections with the students come naturally.
Cecilia Souza, Spring 2022 Recipient
Cecilia Souza is choosing Zoology as her major because animals have always inspired her. Ever since she was a kid, she’d tell people she wanted to work with them in some form or another, from saying she wanted to be an “animal rescuer,” to a veterinarian, to marine biologist, and now to a zoologist. After graduating from Cal Poly Humboldt, she plans on working in species conservation but is not yet certain what she wants to do specifically. Outside of school, she participates in visual and performing arts, especially choir, band, musical theatre, and drawing. She also likes to take care of her chickens, cats, and dog.
Lily Yassemi, Spring 2022 Recipient
Lily Yassemi chose Computer Science for her major as she has always been naturally STEM/STEAM minded and able to bring attention to problems that other people may not recognize. She hopes to get her Master’s degree and use what she has learned to help make the world a better place. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and going for drives. She is not yet involved in any clubs but thinks that the best part of Cal Poly Humboldt has been being able to explore the variety of classes offered while making new friends.
Nick Salgado-Stanley, Fall semester
I decided to study abroad to expand my learning. My disciplines are known for having many schools of thought that depend on who is at the front of the classroom. For economics, the ideas of development and welfare are highly contested and have to be taught from only one viewpoint. Similarly, wildlife conservation is largely based on a person’s attitude towards the environment and if it has value in itself or merely in its resources. I have been lucky enough to learn from deeply knowledgeable professors who show up every day for their students to succeed; however, I must acknowledge that they come from an American, privileged background that does not apply to the majority of people. Because of South Africa’s complex history as a colonized nation, I believe I will learn new perspectives that will craft me into a more open-minded student. These new perspectives will allow me to learn more about how to treat the economy and the environment; the reason I am passionate about expanding my knowledge of this is that I hope to pursue environmental law where the two fields often intersect. 