Featured Alumni
- Dr. Melanie Kitzan Haindfield, Ph.D., NYSC ND 1991, April 22, 2008 through ...
- Ms. Mary Caswell "Cassie" Stoddard, NYSC VA 2004, February 1 through April 21, 2008
- Mr. Geoff Wilkes, NYSC WI 1999, November 26, 2007 through January 31, 2008
To nominate someone to be considered as a featured alumnus, please send an E-mail to Ms. Laine Lybeck, Director of Alumni Affairs and Development at laine.lybeck@nysf.com. Please provide abbreviated biographical notes and contact information for the nominee.
Featured Alumnus - Dr. Melanie Kitzan Haindfield, Ph.D., NYSC ND 1991
April 22, 2008, through ...
Melanie Kitzan Haindfield was a delegate to the National Youth Science Camp from North Dakota in 1991. She attended the University of Minnesota to obtain her B.S. in Biology and then continued on to get a Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Melanie then continued on and received a J.D. from the Lewis and Clark Law School. Melanie currently works as a Patent Attorney in Seattle Washington. From a Graduate Fellow to becoming a guest lecturer at various meetings, Melanie has been a great support to the National Youth Science Foundation and the National Youth Science Camp Alumni Association. Melanie helped organize the very first Regional Science Symposium in Seattle, thank you Melanie!
Melanie enjoys spending time with her three daughters. When time allows she may be running or hiking with her family and two dogs!
Featured Alumnus - Mary Caswell 'Cassie' Stoddard, NYSC VA 2004
February 1 through April 21, 2008
Cassie is an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major at Yale University and a recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship as well as the Marshall Scholarship. Through her research in the evolution of bird vision Cassie has developed a computer program that helps analyze bird colors as other birds see them. Cassie has been able to spend 10 weeks at Shoal Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island researching gull behavior and ecology through a National Science Foundation REU Fellowship. Cassie will be using the Marshall Scholarship next year to research ornithology at the University of Cambridge in the Department of Zoology.
In her spare time Cassie enjoys playing the violin in the Yale Symphony Orchestra and giving tours at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Featured Alumnus - Geoff Wilkes, NYSC WI 1999
November 26, 2007 through December 14, 2007
Geoff graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin in 2004. He then traveled to Sri Lanka for three months to substitute teach. While there he also contributed to many volunteer projects, including bathing elephants. Geoff will complete medical school at the University of Michigan in the spring of 2008. Upon completing medical school, Geoff then plans to pursue a specialty in ophthalmology.
Geoff was a Wisconsin delegate to the National Youth Science Camp in 1999. Since then he has returned as a staff member (2000-04, 2007) holding various positions including rock climbing coordinator, audio-visual specialist, and medical assistant. During Geoff’s junior year of college he participated in the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange (TASSEP) in Lancaster, England. As well as studying abroad, Geoff also played basketball for the Lancaster University’s team. When his schedule allows Geoff enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities such as climbing, skiing, and paddling.