Dr. Stephen Schell Award Recipients Named
Pre-medical science majors Oriana Balascio and Casey Donahoe are recipients of the 2020 Dr. Stephen Schell Scholarship. The award was generously established by Dr. Stephen E. Schell, MD (BS Biology, 1975), a board certified otolaryngologist and graduate of Temple University School of Medicine. Funding provided by the award assists pre-medical science students in preparing for osteopathic or allopathic medical school by helping to defray the cost of a preparatory course or materials for the Medical College Admission Test.
Oriana Balascio is a biology major and chemistry minor enrolled in the 3 + 2 Master’s in Biology program at Bloomsburg University. She is a member of the Bloomsburg University Honors College. She has received a BU Academic Excellence Scholarship. Oriana has been inducted into Tri Beta Biology Honor Society and is a member of the Biology and Allied Health Club. Oriana’s research in cancer biology in Dr. Kate Beishline’s lab has been supported by a Professional Experience Grant. She is a College of Science and Technology Student Ambassador. In the Honors College, Oriana was a peer mentor and co-chair of the Honors College Service committee. She has a black belt in Tang Soo Do karate,. Oriana plans to become a pediatrician .
Casey Donahoe is a biology, pre-medical sciences major and Spanish minor from Danville, PA. Casey, a dean’s list student, was inducted into Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She has conducted research on the effects of pesticides on honey bees under the mentorship of Dr. Surmacz. Casey has served as Vice-President of the Biology and Allied Health Club and was elected Treasurer of TriBeta for the 2020-2021 academic year. Casey is also a member of the Pre-medical Sciences Club. Casey has volunteered extensively in the community, participating in The Big Event, Relay for Life, Bloomsburg Children’s museum programming, and Camp Cranium activities. She is a chemistry and Spanish tutor at BU’s Tutorial Services. Casey participated in Jan Plan, an intensive shadowing program with physicians at Geisinger Medical Center and is employed as a medical scribe in the Bloomsbur Geisinger Emergency Department. She plans to become a physician.
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| Oriana Balascio |
Oriana Balascio is a biology major and chemistry minor enrolled in the 3 + 2 Master’s in Biology program at Bloomsburg University. She is a member of the Bloomsburg University Honors College. She has received a BU Academic Excellence Scholarship. Oriana has been inducted into Tri Beta Biology Honor Society and is a member of the Biology and Allied Health Club. Oriana’s research in cancer biology in Dr. Kate Beishline’s lab has been supported by a Professional Experience Grant. She is a College of Science and Technology Student Ambassador. In the Honors College, Oriana was a peer mentor and co-chair of the Honors College Service committee. She has a black belt in Tang Soo Do karate,. Oriana plans to become a pediatrician .
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| Casey Donahoe |
Casey Donahoe is a biology, pre-medical sciences major and Spanish minor from Danville, PA. Casey, a dean’s list student, was inducted into Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She has conducted research on the effects of pesticides on honey bees under the mentorship of Dr. Surmacz. Casey has served as Vice-President of the Biology and Allied Health Club and was elected Treasurer of TriBeta for the 2020-2021 academic year. Casey is also a member of the Pre-medical Sciences Club. Casey has volunteered extensively in the community, participating in The Big Event, Relay for Life, Bloomsburg Children’s museum programming, and Camp Cranium activities. She is a chemistry and Spanish tutor at BU’s Tutorial Services. Casey participated in Jan Plan, an intensive shadowing program with physicians at Geisinger Medical Center and is employed as a medical scribe in the Bloomsbur Geisinger Emergency Department. She plans to become a physician.
