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The EAS Chair Scholars Program honors outstanding graduate students who exemplify exceptional promise and a strong commitment to advancing growth, innovation, and community within the EAS Division and across Caltech. EAS Chair Scholars and Caltech Presidential Fellows participate as a cohort in faculty mentorship and supplementary programming designed as a "fast-track" to academic and leadership success. Scholars and Fellows will connect with faculty members and peers to receive mentoring and professional development opportunities within the numerous EAS departments.

At Caltech and the EAS Division, we believe the best ideas, best decisions, and best outcomes come from diverse groups of people working and collaborating together.

Founded in 2020 as part of the EAS Division's commitment to promoting meaningful entry and retention pathways into science and engineering, this fellowship program involves graduate students of high academic achievement.

Key benefits of participating in the EAS Chair Scholars Program include:

  • An attractive financial offer, including a two-year fellowship and $3,000 professional development fund per year for two years to cover professional costs.
  • Membership in a diverse cohort of scholars for the duration of graduate degree enrollment, and networking opportunities which will extend beyond residency at Caltech.
  • Formal mentorship from EAS leadership and faculty.
  • Fast track to teaching, which will develop and refine teaching skills early in participants' graduate careers.
  • Access to optional outreach opportunities through engagement with national conferences, Caltech's Center for Learning and Outreach (CTLO) and Student Faculty Programs (SFP), and Caltech Y outreach to local schools.

2025 Cohort

EAS Chair Scholars Scholar Type EAS Departments
Michael Hwang EAS Chair Scholar Aerospace
Mina Mandic EAS Chair Scholar Applied Physics and Materials Science
Rosa Elisabet Markusdottir EAS Chair Scholar/Presidential Scholar Electrical Engineering
Srihan Chowdhury EAS Chair Scholar Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Selene Tang EAS Chair Scholar Medical Engineering