Enhancing Diversity & Graduate Excellence in Science
The EDGES program in the College of Science seeks to increase success for graduate students in STEM fields, to enrich the academic environment for the campus community, and to broaden the STEM workforce.
This program aims to recruit, retain, and promote the success of outstanding doctoral students who have the potential to enhance the diversity of their academic fields and departments. This award is open to incoming graduate students and is active for five years or until the student graduates. EDGES Fellows receive a monetary award (up to $10,000 per fellow) and participate in supported cohort-based activities. Activities include professional development events, panel discussions, peer mentoring, and social activities.
Application deadline: 3/27/23 by 5pm
Monetary awards are divided into two allocations:
- An up-front disbursement of 50% of the award amount to assist with a student’s transition to graduate school, and
- A second allocation of 50% of the award amount that can be drawn on for research and professional development (RPD) expenses. The RPD funds can be spent any time during the award period.
Contacts
Program Committee

Committee Chair
Pearl SandickCommittee Chair
Pearl SandickProfessor, Department of Physics & Astronomy
sandick@physics.utah.edu

Student Representative, Biology (EEOB)
Vinayak Gopalakrishna KamathStudent Representative, Biology (EEOB)
Vinayak Gopalakrishna Kamath
Program Coordinator
Lindsey DeSpain
Student Representative, Physics and Astronomy
Joy IkeStudent Representative, Physics and Astronomy
Joy Ike
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Vahe BandarianAssociate Dean of Student Affairs
Vahe BandarianStudent Representative, Chemistry
Shadi MirmohammadiStudent Representative, Chemistry
Shadi Mirmohammadi
Director of Special Projects
Cassie SlatteryDirector of Special Projects
Cassie SlatteryDepartments

Biology
Kent Golic - Director of Graduate Studies
Biology
Shannon Nielsen - Graduate Program CoordinatorBiology
Shannon Nielsen - Graduate Program Coordinator801-581-5636
shannon.nielsen@bioscience.utah.edu

Chemistry
Ryan Steele - Director of Graduate Studies
Chemistry
Jo Vallejo - Graduate Program Coordinator
Mathematics
Elena Cherkaev - Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Mathematics
Srikanth Iyengar - Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Mathematics
Paula Tooman - Graduate Program Coordinator
Physics & Astronomy
Pearl Sandick - Director of Graduate Studies
Physics & Astronomy
Kelsey Krause - Graduate Program Coordinator
Atmospheric Sciences
Court Strong - Director of Graduate Studies
Atmospheric Sciences
Alex Munoz - Graduate Program Coordinator
Geology and Geophysics
Lauren Birgeneheier - Director of Graduate StudiesGeology and Geophysics
Lauren Birgeneheier - Director of Graduate Studies801-585-3158
lauren.birgeneheier@utah.edu
Geology and Geophysics
TBA - Graduate Program CoordinatorGeology and Geophysics
TBA - Graduate Program Coordinator
Materials Science and Engineering
Hong Yong Sohn - Director of Graduate StudiesMaterials Science and Engineering
Hong Yong Sohn - Director of Graduate Studies801-581-5491
h.y.sohn@utah.edu

Materials Science and Engineering
Sara Wilson - Graduate Program CoordinatorMaterials Science and Engineering
Sara Wilson - Graduate Program Coordinator801-581-4449
sara.j.wilson@utah.edu

Mining Engineering
Brijes Mishra - Director of Graduate Studies