Four Ph.D. candidates from the College of Sciences have been selected as new recipients of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholar Award. The award recognizes doctoral students who show exceptional promise in making a significant contribution to the worldwide advancement of science and technology. The new recipients join three returning scholars from the College of Sciences. To view all of the current Georgia Tech ARCS Scholars, visit: 2024-25 ARCS Atlanta Scholars.

Meet the 2024-25 ARCS Scholars

Alivia Eng, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Eng is a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) Fellow. Her research compares rover and orbital datasets of Mars to increase the spatial resolution of quantitative geologic mapping. 

“I am excited to receive this award as it validates the importance of my research and my abilities as a scientist,” says Eng.

Nominated by her advisor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Assistant Professor Frances Rivera-Hernández, Eng is also a part of Georgia Tech's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute and Center for Lunar Environment and Volatile Exploration Research.

“Alivia is an exceptional graduate student and planetary scientist,” says Rivera-Hernández. “Her curiosity, passion, and question-driven approach have sparked multiple new projects at Georgia Tech and led my research group in exciting new directions. Beyond her research, Alivia is deeply committed to community engagement, aiming to inspire future generations to pursue careers in planetary geology. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with her.”  

Marrissa Izykowicz, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Izykowicz’s research focuses on synthesizing nanoparticles designed to target and retain anti-cancer drugs in both primary and metastatic tumors of various cancers. Her research tackles the challenge of treating metastatic lesions, which are difficult to target due to their small size and abundance.

“I am deeply passionate about my work because it addresses an issue that has plagued humanity for centuries,” says Izykowicz. “My research investigates the complexities of metastatic cancer, building on the knowledge of those who came before me to pave the way toward a potential cure.”

She was nominated for the award by M.G. Finn, who serves as a professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the James A. Carlos Family Chair for Pediatric Technology.

“Marrissa is a wonderful student and colleague — always willing to do whatever is needed to advance her studies,” says Finn. “Her research is tremendously exciting, working with collaborator Stephen Housley on nanoparticles that can deliver medications directly to cancerous tumors. The project involves chemistry, cell biology, immunology, and analytical biochemistry, and Marrissa does it all with great dedication and expertise.” 

Zach Mobille, School of Mathematics

Mobille is pursuing a Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences, specializing in computational neuroscience.

“I am passionate about my research because it sheds light on how the brain’s structure and abilities are related quantitatively,” says Mobille. “It targets a deeper understanding of how information is processed in networks of neurons, which may influence how computational devices are designed in the future.”

Mobille serves as chair of the community impact committee of the Georgia Tech/Emory Computational Neural-engineering Training Program (CNTP) and is a past recipient of Georgia Tech’s InQuBATE Training grant.

School of Mathematics Assistant Professor Hannah Choi, who advises Mobille, states: “Zach is driven by curiosity and determined to solve complex research problems. He has consistently impressed me with his creativity and motivation in computational neuroscience. Zach proposes innovative ideas, is never afraid of learning new techniques, and takes initiative in his research. I am thrilled that the ARCS fellowship has recognized his qualities as an independent and creative researcher.”

John Pederson, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Pederson uses computer simulations to study chemistry at solid/liquid interfaces at the molecular scale.

“Computational modeling across length- and time-scales is a powerful technique for gaining insight into chemical and physical processes,” says Pederson. “With my research, I hope to promote wider adoption of these multi-scale computational techniques to enable the design of cleaner and safer chemical processes.”

In addition to his research work, Pederson helped organize and run ComSciCon-ATL 2024, an interdisciplinary science communications conference for Southeast STEM graduate students.

“John is an outstanding researcher and problem-solver,” says Jessie McDaniel, associate professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry who nominated Pederson. ”He has contributed substantially to software and method development efforts that form the core of our group’s work on studying chemical reaction mechanisms in complex environments related to electrochemistry and surface chemistry. John exemplifies excellence in all facets of research, scholarship, and service.”