Lara Ozkan, an outstanding student at MIT, embodies the future of innovative research. A prestigious recognition is on the horizon as she is named a Marshall Scholar for 2025. This program, driven by the British government, promotes *academic excellence* among American students. Ozkan, specializing in computer science and molecular biology, will embark on an unprecedented academic adventure in the United Kingdom. Her commitment to women’s health through technological solutions highlights her remarkable ambition. Expect a deep reflection on the issues related to innovation and social responsibility in the healthcare sector.
Lara Ozkan, an undergraduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from Oradell, New Jersey, has been selected as a Marshall Scholar for the year 2025. This scholarship, funded by the British government, allows American students with strong academic records to pursue graduate studies in any field at any university in the United Kingdom. Each year, up to 50 scholarships are awarded.
Kim Benard, associate dean of excellence scholarships at MIT, expresses her pride in Lara’s representation of the institution. Her accomplishments to date are described as “extraordinary,” and the institution looks forward to following the evolution of her career. Throughout her journey, Ozkan has received guidance from the excellence scholarship team in the area of career orientation.
Ozkan’s Journey
With a double major in computer science and molecular biology, Lara Ozkan plans to leverage the Marshall Scholarship to obtain an MPhil in biological sciences at the Sanger Institute of the University of Cambridge. She then intends to specialize in artificial intelligence and machine learning at Imperial College London. Her professional ambition is focused on improving women’s health through technological innovation and the application of computational tools.
Commitment to Research
Before her admission to MIT, Lara conducted research in computational biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. At MIT, she was an undergraduate researcher with the Conformable Decoders group at the MIT Media Lab, where she specialized in wearable ultrasonic technologies for breast cancer detection. Additionally, she participates in computational biology research led by Professor Manolis Kellis in the artificial intelligence and computer science lab.
Her contributions to research in computational biology earned her the prestigious Susan Hockfield award in life sciences from MIT.
Role at MIT and Social Responsibilities
Like her various research endeavors, Ozkan also plays an active role within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. She studied the ethical implications of genomics projects and developed AI ethics programs for computer science courses at MIT. Her internships with Accenture Gen AI Risk and pharmaceutical companies allowed her to gain practical knowledge about the responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Lara Ozkan is the president and executive director of MIT Capital Partners, which connects the entrepreneurial community to venture capital firms. In addition, she serves as president of the MIT Sloan Business Club. She is also a research ambassador for undergraduate students and is part of the committee on diversity and inclusion.
Community Involvement
Alongside her academic and leadership activities, Lara dedicates time to volunteering. She teaches computer science to middle school students through the MIT CodeIt program and mentors children affected by cancer as part of Camp Kesem.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lara Ozkan Selected as a Marshall Scholar for 2025
Who is Lara Ozkan and why was she selected as a Marshall Scholar?
Lara Ozkan is an MIT student who has been chosen as a Marshall Scholar for 2025 due to her academic excellence and contributions in the fields of computational biology and artificial intelligence.
What studies will she pursue with the Marshall Scholarship?
Lara plans to pursue an MPhil in biological sciences at the Sanger Institute of the University of Cambridge, followed by a research master’s in artificial intelligence and machine learning at Imperial College London.
What research projects has Lara Ozkan conducted before receiving the scholarship?
Before starting her studies at MIT, Lara conducted research in computational biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and worked on portable ultrasound technologies for breast cancer at the MIT Media Lab.
How does Lara Ozkan contribute to the advancement of women’s health through technology?
She is committed to using technological innovation and computational tools to advance women’s health, integrating these elements into her research projects.
What are Lara Ozkan’s other associative activities at MIT?
Lara is president of the MIT Capital Partners organization, a member of the MIT Sloan Business Club, and also serves as a representative for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the MIT EECS community.
What skills has Lara acquired during her previous internships?
During her internships at Accenture Gen AI Risk and in the pharmaceutical sector, Lara gained practical skills regarding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
How does Lara Ozkan support young girls in the sciences?
Lara teaches computer science to middle school girls through the MIT CodeIt program, aiming to encourage them to pursue STEM interests.
Why is the Marshall Scholarship considered prestigious?
The Marshall Scholarship is regarded as prestigious because it offers high-achieving American students the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom, thus promoting academic and cultural exchanges.
What impact could the scholarship have on Lara Ozkan’s career?
The Marshall Scholarship will enable Lara to gain advanced skills and expand her professional network, which could significantly influence her career in artificial intelligence and biology.
