Scholar Voices Feature
Connecting Scholars to Transformative Opportunities: Insights from B4U Mentorship at Bayer Crop Sciences
The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is dedicated to facilitating opportunities for Scholars to engage with global industry leaders to enhance their professional development and growth. Among these opportunities is the Bayer University Mentoring Program (B4U), an innovative initiative launched by Bayer Crop Science in 2018. The program pairs graduate students and postdoc mentees with experienced Bayer scientists for a year-long, one-on-one mentoring experience that focuses on honing soft skills and professional development.
In February 2024, the McDonnell Academy, along with more than 20 McDonnell Scholars, had the opportunity to network with experts across multiple sectors during the Bayer Crop Science St. Louis corporate showcase. Bayer, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the McDonnell Academy, provided Scholars with firsthand knowledge of its unique B4U Program and its impact on healthcare and agriculture. Among these Scholars, Somtochukwu Okafor, a biomedical engineering Phd student, Ghiska Ramahdita, a mechanical engineering PhD student, and Judith Sokei, a cancer biology PhD student, were selected to participate in the program. Nearly a year later, each shared their experiences and insights from the program. Their reflections reveal how the B4U program fosters professional growth, career transition support, and meaningful connections.
Scholar Highlight
Ghiska Ramahdita wins Audience Choice Award
McDonnell Scholar Ghiska Ramahdita at the McKelvey School of Engineering and the James V. & Mary E. Wertsch Fellow, won the Audience Choice Award at the Reach Out Science Slam Communication Challenge, hosted by the Museum of Science, Boston on May 4.
Ghiska will receive a $1000 prize from the Museum of Science.
Her winning presentation, and the full finals competition, can be viewed on our News page.
McDonnell Academy Scholar becomes finalist in 2021 Reach Out SciComm Slam
McDonnell Scholar Ghiska Ramahdita, a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering from McDonnell Academy partner, University of Indonesia, became the judges’ choice winner of the STC Reach Out Challenge semi-final round, hosted by the Museum of Science, Boston. Using captivating imagery, videos, and props, Ghiska succinctly described her research about the effects of stiffening in heart tissues to a panel of science communication experts and a broad virtual audience.