Seniors Tyler Myers and Amelya Fox were recently chosen to represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the selective and highly competitive Amgen Scholars Program as announced by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship (OURF).

As Amgen Scholars, students conduct hands-on biomedical research in the lab alongside top faculty, participate in seminars and networking events, and take part in symposia with their peers and leading scientists. The program culminates at the University of California, Los Angeles where scholars attend the Amgen Scholars North America Symposium.

“We are so proud of Tyler and Amelya, both for the work they have done at UT to prepare for this opportunity, and for the work they will complete through Amgen and beyond,” said OURF Director Meredith Malburne-Wade. “Both Tyler and Amelya have demonstrated their aptitude for tackling complex problems through dedicated research, and they have been exceptionally well supported by their mentors, faculty, departments, colleges, and the UT community.”

Double majoring in microbiology and neuroscience and double minoring in chemistry and public health, Myers has conducted stellar biomedical research at significant institutions such as UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, among others. In 2023, Myers received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship which recognizes distinguished undergraduates engaging in STEM academia and research.

Eager to explore gut brain microbiomes at Duke University, Myers knew the program would allow him to build relationships and strengthen his own knowledge of the sector.

“I am excited to continue my pursuits in gut-brain research through a biomedical lens and work with a world-class team of researchers at Duke. As someone who is interested in working at the intersections of science and medicine and pursue my MD-PhD, I cannot wait to expand my horizons and establish new connections in this rapidly growing field.”

Fox, majoring in biomedical engineering at UT, attended Harvard University for the program’s duration. Awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship in 2024 in recognition of her research efforts at UT and Purdue, Fox looked forward to attending the program seminars and networking opportunities to enhance her laboratory experience.

“Joining the 2024 Harvard Amgen Scholars Program cohort will be invaluable in my development as a student and researcher, allowing me to expand my network and knowledge beyond my home institution and lab. I hope to investigate women’s and reproductive health at Harvard, laying the groundwork for graduate school and my career.”

As the third and fourth recipients of the Amgen Scholars title from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Myers and Fox continue UT’s legacy of nurturing undergraduate research. Sahba Seddighi and Lam Vo were named Amgen Scholars and completed the program at Stanford University in 2014 and 2018 respectively.

The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of selected undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at many of the world’s leading educational institutions. The program seeks to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing science or engineering careers and to spark the interest and broaden the perspective of students considering scientific careers. It also aims to increase the number of students pursuing advanced training and careers in the sciences.

Students interested in learning more about Amgen, Goldwater, or other competitive fellowships can contact the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.