Student Spotlight

Meet the Class of 2027: Naomi Karki (27' SAS/HC)

Naomi Karki - photo by Rutgers photographer,

The first tennis racquet incoming student Naomi Karki held was pint-sized and colorful, with characters from the television show Dora the Explorer decorating the rim and handle.

The East Brunswick resident was 5.

She spent the next few months swinging the racquet around, never hitting a ball. Nonetheless, her parents kept her in the Pee Wee tennis program at the Nassau Tennis Club in Montgomery Township.

Meet the Class of 2027: Gabriella Glaz (27' SAS/HC)

Gabriella Glaz - photo by Rutgers photographer

You can’t overstate the role chess plays in the life of Gabriella Glaz. 

Not only is the Tewksbury resident ranked among the top 70 women of all ages in the state of New Jersey, but she’s also captured rankings in the top 100 of her age group nationally every year from the time she was 13 until now, at age 18. 

David Rosenberg, Entrepreneur and Innovator at the Forefront of Sustainable Food Production

Photo of David presenting
Photo of David with students
Photo of David with a poster and people

David Rosenberg’s passion is to develop sustainable food production, building and leading multiple companies by tapping technology, biological principles, and data to create new food sources and maximize production using fewer environmental resources. 

This interdisciplinary approach, combined with his foundation in finance and his life-long engagement in and study of philosophy, has led him to a place of doing well by doing good.

First-Generation American Driven to Give Back to Her Community

Photo of Larissa De Paula
Larissa De Paula ('26, SAS/HC) is the first in her family to attend college. She is working toward a dual major in criminal justice and political science with a minor in Latina and Caribbean studies, and she hopes to become an immigration lawyer. Her focus stems from a desire to give back to her family and the Brazilian community that raised her outside of Boston.

Studying Abroad Through an Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar

Anya, Philip, and Zoe (L-R) at the bottom of the Arenal Volcano

In the Spring of 2023, I visited Costa Rica during spring break through an Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar embedded study abroad trip. Embedded study abroad trips allow students to add a week-long trip during a semester break or semester end. The option for a week-long study abroad was perfect for me. This Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar, which fulfills a requirement for the Honors College, was called Communicating Science in Costa Rica and was taught by Dr. Lauren Neitzke Adamo.

Senior Earns Churchill Scholarship, the First at Rutgers in a Decade

Photo of Andrew Krapivin - Photo Courtesy of Nick Romanenko,
The first Churchill Scholar in a decade from Rutgers, Andrew Krapivin ('24, SAS/HC) will receive funding for graduate studies at the University of Cambridge in England. Already a Goldwater Scholar, he stands out not only for his academic strength, but also for his initiative and curiosity, exploring the connections between diverse topics as well as his many interests. He is looking forward excitedly and with deep gratitude for all who have supported him.

After Developing Brooklyn Nets Fan Site, a Senior Sees His Future in AI

Photo of Tej Shah by Jeff Arban/Rutgers University
Since arriving at Rutgers, Tej Shah ('24, RBS/HC) has worked diligently to become the kind of talent he said the tech world needs. Although his Nets fan site was archived years ago, his dedication to becoming a “great technical talent” remains very much alive. “My long-term goal after Rutgers is to commercialize AI and to help solve really important problems,” said Shah, adding that health care, clean energy and fighting disinformation are among the areas that captivate him.

Honors College Juniors Elisa Bu Sha and Julianne Chan Among Four Rutgers Students to Earn Prestigious Goldwater Scholarships

2024 Goldwater Scholars - Photo by Nick Romanenko
Elisa Bu Sha (C-L–'25, SEBS/HC) and Julianne Chan (C-R–'25, SOE/HC) have been selected as Goldwater Scholars, a prestigious national honor for undergraduates who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Bu Sha, an HC Changemaking Mentor, is conducting research in neurobiology, and Chan in environmental contaminants in water.

Junior Wins Udall Scholarship, Rutgers’ First Recipient Since 2004

Photo of Julianne Chan by Luca Mostello | Rutgers University
Julianne Chan ('25, SOE/HC) has much to celebrate this spring having also just been recognized as a Goldwater Scholar this year. Her studies and related research in environmental engineering, and specifically plastic pollution, have earned her the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, which recognizes future leaders in the environmental, tribal public policy, or Native American health care fields.