Macie Proctor-Roser awarded Self Fellowship

Macie Proctor-Roser, PhD candidate in Molecular Biosciences has been awarded the Madison and Lila Self Fellowship. Macie is a first-year Microbiology track Ph.D. student and will be beginning her graduate research career in Dr. Robin Orozco’s Immunology Lab, where she will study the impact of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (Ptpn22) in B Cell Lymphocytes during viral infection. 

The Self Graduate Fellowship is a highly competitive, prestigious award and students who are selected to join the fellowship have demonstrated that they have the skills, initiative, career goals, and passion to make a difference in the future of their field, and society as a whole.

“It is difficult to put into words but being awarded the Self Graduate Fellowship means that everything I have done up to this point does matter and that my impostor syndrome is a liar. It means that I don’t have to worry about funding or cost of living and for the first time in my academic career, just focus on being the best student and researcher I can be. I am so proud of myself.” Macie wrote regarding the experience.

“By receiving the Self Graduate Fellowship, I am able to fully fund myself for four years, the Fellowship provides resources for conference attendance, professional development, and countless opportunities to create connections with leading professionals in my field.” 

The Self Graduate Fellowship is a four-year package awarded to incoming or first-year doctoral students who demonstrate leadership, initiative, and passion for achievement. The fellowship covers full tuition and fees and provides graduate research assistant support.

Alongside the financial benefits, the fellowship also assists with general education and training in communication, management, innovation, policy and leadership to assist Self Graduate Fellows in preparation for future leadership roles.

Macie wrote regarding her future career, “Upon obtaining my Ph.D. I aim to become a Research Scientist in either a governmental or industry lab, working with BSL-4 level pathogens, creating proactive or reactive care solutions (i.e. vaccines, antivirals) to combat current/future public health crises. 

The Self Graduate Fellowship helps me obtain this goal by providing opportunities to become a cutting-edge professional in my field through scientific communication workshops, poster presentations, skill-building sessions, and many other resources to help me prepare for my next steps as a leading scientist.”