Drexel Student and Wheeling Resident Elliot Chiu Named 2012 Udall Scholar

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Drexel University student Elliott Chiu has been named the recipient of the 2012 Udall Scholarship.

WHEELING, W.VA. (04/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Wheeling resident and Drexel University student Elliott Chiu has been named the recipient of the 2012 Udall Scholarship. The Udall Scholarship is a prestigious and highly-competitive award given to students committed to careers related to the environment.

Chiu is studying biology and environmental science through Drexel's bachelor of science and master of science accelerated degree program. He is the first Drexel student to be named an Udall Scholar.

Chiu first began conducting research as a freshman through Drexel's Students Tackling Advanced Research (STAR) Scholars program. He has since started his own research project which is taking him to Equatorial Guinea for the second time. Chiu will be conducting research for his thesis on the feeding ecology of an understudied species of chameleon found only on Bioko Island, under the tutelage of Dr. Gail Hearn.

After graduating from Drexel, Chiu plans to enroll in an accelerated Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD in veterinary science program with aspirations of becoming a research wildlife veterinarian. He hopes to conserve some of the world's most troubled species, particularly those that suffer from recent disease epidemics.

"After applying for the Udall Scholarship unsuccessfully last year, Elliott tried again in 2012. In that extra year, he was able to gain more research experience and was involved in additional community service projects," said Cindy Schaarschmidt, assistant director of Drexel's Fellowships Office. "His rather unique plans to become both a veterinarian and a researcher will allow him to make significant contributions to wildlife preservation, something which is perfectly aligned with the goals of the Udall Foundation."

Chiu has also been involved with Drexel's Circle K, an open group dedicated to community service, learning and leadership. While serving as vice president of service, he was able to initiate additional service projects in the Philadelphia area and attract new student members.

The Udall Foundation provides over 80 scholarships of up to $5000 each year to sophomore and junior college students who demonstrate a commitment to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. The Udall Foundation is named after Morris K. Udall who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years. In 2009, his brother Stewart L. Udall and former Secretary of the Interior was also honored by the foundation.

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