Undergraduate students Nicole Freire and Jenna Wolfram have been selected to receive research fellowships from The LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University this academic year.
Through The LeMieux Center Fellows Program, these two Frederick M. Supper Honors Program scholars will pursue an independent study of current or emerging public policy issues concerning individual freedoms, values, rights, religious liberties and institutions in the United States.
“Nicole and Jenna have chosen timely subjects for their research and I am very excited to work with them,” former U.S. Senator George LeMieux said. “They have demonstrated their capacities for scholarship through their immense talents and passion for learning.”
Freire, a senior biology major with a concentration in pre-health from Maputo, Mozambique, will study the global threat of chemical and biological agents, whether unleashed by malevolent individuals/nation states or caused by nature with aid of human negligence. Dr. Roger Chapman, professor of history, will support Freire in her research.
Freire’s experience and academic aptitude make her especially qualified to undertake this project, according to Chapman. Freire has lab experience as a research assistant for two science professors. In addition, her global experience, having lived and traveled to Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, India and the United States, has exposed her to diverse worldviews and perspectives. On campus, she has served as a First-Year Experience Peer Mentor, a peer tutor for math and sciences, a House Representative for the Student Government Association and treasurer then vice-president for the Pre-Health Society. She was selected as a Student Health Education Leader through the campus Health and Wellness office.
The effects of Cuban immigration policies, in light of the global refugee crisis and renewal of relations with the U.S. government, is the topic selected by Jenna Wolfram, of Lakeland, Florida. A junior majoring in public relations and minoring in business administration, Wolfram will be assisted in her research by Dr. Elizabeth Stice, assistant professor of history.
Wolfram’s topic holds particular interest for residents of South Florida, she says. As a U.S. citizen who holds two foreign passports, Wolfram says that she expects immigration to be a prominent subject as a new U.S. president takes office.
Wolfram has held positions with Bass Egg LLC in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Career Development office. She has completed internships with the International Polo Club, the Palm Beach Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and Superior Uniform Group.
The fellows receive a stipend to cover the cost of an independent study course as well as expenses, such as travel, incurred during the course up to $2,500 as well as ongoing guidance for their research project from Senator LeMieux. The application process included submission of a research proposal, résumé and a letter of support for the research from a faculty mentor. Selection of the fellows was based on the application and an interview.
