Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences has announced a group of 15 students named to the William Hillis Scholars in Biomedical Sciences Program for 2016-2017.

The Hillis Scholars program is an endowed scholarship program established by the College of Arts & Sciences in 2014. It provides research experiences and enhanced mentoring and learning opportunities for high-achieving undergraduate prehealth students to make them more competitive for positions in top graduate programs and medical schools.

“The purpose of the Hillis Scholars Program is to recognize and support extraordinary Baylor undergraduates who seek to engage in scholarly work in the health/medical fields. Baylor wants to help these students fulfill their aspirations to become leaders in the health professions through scholarly research and/or compassionate service,” said Dr. Rich Sanker, director of the Baylor Prehealth Science Studies Office. “In turn, we hope these students will use their gifts much like Dr. William Hillis to effectively serve their future patients by the discovery of new medical treatments and the delivery of compassionate care.”

The 15 students selected as Hillis Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year include:

• Camila Albo, a senior health and science studies major from Martinez, Ga.;
• Rahul Dadwani, a senior University Scholar from Carrollton, Texas;
• John Davis, a junior University Scholar;
• Destanee Hamilton, a junior biology major from Ellicott City, Md.;
• Morgan Hosay, a sophomore Baylor Business Fellow from Hendersonville, Tenn.;
• Tomi Ifelayo, a senior biochemistry major;
• Bisma Ikram, a junior neuroscience major from Hewitt, Texas;
• Alan Le Grice, senior pre-neuroscience and religion major from Edinburg, Texas;
• Jianna Lin, a sophomore pre-psychology major from Bedford, Mass.;
• Kayla Long, a junior biochemistry major from Germantown, Tenn.;
• Taylor Nesbit, a junior medical humanities major from Bastrop, Texas;
• Tristan Post, a junior biology major from Lake Oswego, Ore.;
• Alay Shah, a junior biology major from Sugar Land, Texas;
• Clayton Smith, a sophomore biology major from Houston, Texas; and
• Jennifer Wilson, a junior biology and French major from Fishers, Ind.

Dr. William Hillis with Baylor faculty and students