Vivian Schmidt

I am greatly honored and appreciative to be receiving a scholarship from the VAW/VRC community. Because of this award, I will be able to continue my undergraduate education, which is a vital steppingstone on my journey to conducting research on neurodegenerative diseases. With the help of WOASF this past year, I was able to strengthen my academic background and research experience, which resulted in my acceptance to a REU program at the University of Michigan where I will research ALS at a molecular level (a condition that impacts veterans twice as often as civilians). It is my hope that this research (as well as my future research following the completion of my PhD) will in some way help veterans across the country continue to conquer their traumas and neurological injuries. With everything the veterans of this country have done for me, I strive to use my passion to help them and their families. Furthermore, this upcoming fall I have been granted the opportunity to study abroad in Budapest, Hungary. Unfortunately, this incredible opportunity results in a higher tuition rate, which would be unobtainable without the help of these scholarships. Again, I cannot thank the VAW/VRC Merit Scholarship program and everyone who has helped me on this journey enough. I could not have such big, obtainable dreams without my mentors, professors, family, friends, and community.