Meet Trinity’s Semmes Scholars

Over the years, Trinity University’s Semmes Scholars have been able to immerse themselves in STEM research and various opportunities thanks to the generous support of the Semmes Foundation.

Established in 1952 by Dr. Douglas Ramsay (D. R.) Semmes, the Semmes Foundation has a long legacy of generosity at Trinity. The foundation funded the Thomas Semmes Chemistry Hall when Trinity relocated to its current campus and endowed a chemistry professorship. In Spring 2024, the Semmes Foundation gave $26.5 million, the largest gift in University history, to name the D.R. Semmes School of Science. This gift aids Trinity’s commitment to transforming the liberal arts through scientific learning and discovery.

The foundation also funds the Semmes Distinguished Scholars in Science Scholarship, which is offered to students starting from their first year. Semmes Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships and a $5,000 stipend for research, professional travel, materials, and supplies, to support them as they pursue STEM studies at Trinity.

The Semmes Foundation’s support has ensured that Trinity students interested in studying STEM have not only the resources but also the financial support they need to excel in their field.

“I wouldn't have been able to pursue some of the things that I've done here without the scholarship, and I'm hugely appreciative of the Semmes family for making it possible for me to put myself out there and chase after opportunities that interest me,” says a current Semmes Scholar.

Read about the experiences of the current Semmes Scholars below. 

Sydney Mae Barner ’28 | Dallas, Texas

Psychology and Anthropology

Sydney Mae Barner chose Trinity largely because of its encouragement for students to explore various disciplines and develop their passion through discovery on and off campus. Interactions with professors and upperclassmen assured Barner that her aspirations are possible, further solidifying her choice to come to Trinity. 

Barner aspires to study the psychology and societal impacts of addictive behaviors, such as opioid use and eating disorders. “My current research interest is a culmination of impactful voices I’ve read or heard and formative experiences I’ve faced. As of late, I’ve been reading the book Famished by Rebecca Lester, which delves into the ways in which for-profit insurance perpetuates disordered eating in America,” she says.

STEM has always been at the center of Barner’s passions. However, in her eyes, what makes STEM so exciting is when it is studied within the context of the world, further highlighting its intersectionality. “Studying psychology in tandem with anthropology provides perspective and depth to the concepts I learn leaving me impassioned and equipped to make real change in the world,” she says.

Barner believes being a Semmes Scholar is about welcoming change and embracing immersion each step of the way. “As humans, and especially young people, change is inevitable and by accepting that fact, we allow ourselves to become immersed in the present and therefore invested in the future,” she says. 

Leanna Jo Eldridge ’25 | Lexington Park, Maryland

Computer Science

Leanna Jo Eldridge’s interest in STEM comes from her fascination with technology. As a computer science major, Eldridge is beyond fascinated by the limitless opportunities technology can provide. 

“Because of its versatility, technology provides natural gateways into both STEM and non-STEM fields alike,” she says. “Technology is an invaluable interdisciplinary tool that, for me, is incredibly exciting to learn about and leverage.”

To Eldridge, being a Semmes scholar is about being a living example of STEM at Trinity. “I have the opportunity to engage with a community of other scholars who have a shared interest in STEM,” she says. “I am able to show others what engaging in STEM as a Trinity student can look like, both on and off campus.”

Apart from STEM, Eldridge is involved in many organizations on campus. She is a Trinity University Student Ambassador, an active member of the Trinity Women in Computing Club, and an Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) tutor.

Eldridge recently accepted an offer from Microsoft for a software engineering role, and she is planning to start working in the summer after graduation.

Marco Jonsson ’25 | Sugar Land, Texas

Physics and Computer Science

Marco Jonsson is currently a part of a biophysics lab with physics professor Orrin Shindell, Ph.D., where he is studying a unique phenomenon in fluid dynamics called Taylor-Couette Flow. “In short, it is a type of twisting fluid flow that requires a certain geometrical configuration, two concentric spinning cylinders. Since bacteria operate at a microscopic scale, fluids behave differently in that size regime,” Jonsson says. 

Jonsson is building a machine to modulate fluid behavior between what bacteria experience and what macroscopic objects interact with by modifying the Reynold's number—a quantity used to describe the characteristics of the system. He aspires to complete the machine and begin analysis and computation on data from the device to determine the onset point of the various points of Taylor-Couette flow before turbulence.

Jonsson credits the Semmes Foundation for providing this research opportunity. “Having access to the financial aid necessary to fund my tuition and pursue an interesting research project was huge in opening doors for graduate school and furthering my professional opportunities,” he says.
As a senior, Jonsson is excited about the new scholars. “As a freshman, I had unique personal advice and guidance from the older Semmes Scholars that was key in shaping my four years at Trinity,” he says, “Now, I have the opportunity to do the same for the next generation of Semmes Scholars.”

Marlene Krueger ’28 | Fair Haven, New Jersey

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on Pre-Med Track

Marlene Krueger ’28 has always been interested in analyzing complex graphs and solving intricate math problems. 

“Since I was young, I’ve been passionate about science, but my freshman year biology teacher helped me find my passion for biology and later chemistry,” she says. “Figuring out how things work is fascinating to me, and I love being able to delve deeper into intricate topics through research.” 

When Kreuger was living abroad in Tokyo, she got involved with her school’s synthetic biology club to do in-depth research on breast cancer biomarkers. She was later able to work on exercise science and public health research once she moved back to New Jersey. “I’m not a fan of New Jersey’s cold winters, so the warm weather definitely enticed me to come to Trinity,” Krueger jokes. She loves Trinity’s small campus and being able to connect with students and faculty. Additionally, she is getting involved in Tennis Club, Tigerthon, and possibly Greek Life.

Krueger believes being a Semmes Scholar means being a part of a community with the interest and strong desire to better the world through STEM. As Krueger begins her first year at Trinity, she hopes to use her love for science to become a physician or a medical researcher. 

Clarissa Cecilia Reyna ’28 | Mission, Texas

Psychology

Clarissa Cecilia Reyna ’28 believes STEM is a means to apply scientific knowledge and solutions to issues facing contemporary society.

“My interest in STEM comes from a deep interest in psychology, the processes of the human mind, and how it adapts to environmental stimuli and psychological trauma,” she says.

Initially, Trinity’s psychology department interested Reyna. “The psychology department boasts impressive clinical research opportunities,” she says. “This, along with Trinity’s liberal arts-integrated curriculum, is crucial for anyone pursuing a STEM major.”

While Reyna is not currently participating in research, she plans to research the psychology behind child development at Trinity in the future.

To Reyna, being a Semmes Scholar means holding high standards of scholarship and portraying intellectual curiosity. “We not only go above and beyond in the classroom but also participate in community service and engage in innovative research to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.” This mindset is reflected in Reyna’s extracurriculars as she is involved in the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and plans to become involved in the Psychology Club and the Trinity University Latino Association.

Caroline Westbrook ’28 | Houston, Texas

Biology

Caroline Westbrook can trace her love for STEM back to her father. Her father, a cancer researcher and biochemist, always brought home lab equipment for Westbrook and her brother to experiment with. While the memories of numerous experiments Westbrook performed throughout her childhood are dear to her, what truly defined her passion for science was her dad’s encouragement to learn how to love learning. 

“While we may not always find the answer to every problem, falling in love with learning is the reason we are here furthering our education,” she says.

Westbrook is interested in researching cancer drugs, such as IMiDs. She is drawn to the biological mystery of how they work and how scientists can continue to improve them for patients.

“The inspiration for my research started with an internship I did at Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. Working with multiple researchers and scientists within the Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry, I developed a passion for learning more about ‘molecular glues’ and IMiDs for cancer patients,” she says.

To Westbrook, being a Semmes Scholar not only means showcasing the knowledge one already has but also having the opportunity to deepen one's understanding of the STEM field. “There is so much to explore in science, and I am looking forward to the next four years as a Semmes Scholar and a lifetime of learning,” she says.