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USA Today names senior an Academic All-American
Chemistry and biology major gets national recognition for accomplishments at UWEC
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: Campus News
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Non-traditional senior chemistry and biology major Lori Scardino was among 20 college students recognized as part of USA Today's 18th annual All-USA College Academic First Team.
Scardino was selected from about 600 students nominated by their schools for this award, according to an article published in USA Today. She received a $2,500 award for her accomplishments.
Those selected have accomplished things such as leading Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, helping NASA understand the geological history of Mars and better understanding cell division that might lead to cancer prevention, according to the article.
Scardino, a single-mother of two, works with chemistry professor and department chairman Scott Hartsel, researching new probes that look at cell structures, Hartsel said. This research resulted in a patent application and three international presentations.
Scardino also co-authored an article in the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, Hartsel said.
Scardino's motivation and eagerness to learn new things is what makes her shine, he said, adding that by the time she was a freshman she had already given a presentation at an international convention in Boston.
"The fact that she doesn't just do one thing really well, but she does everything so well, I think (is) what takes a student from a really great student to someone who can earn a really great national recognition like this," Hartsel said. "The fact that she can balance everything in her life so well and accomplish so much is what pushes her to that next level."
Scardino, who could not be reached as of press time, is also president of the American Chemical Society student chapter, tutoring coordinator and chemistry demo show coordinator.
In addition, she serves as an officer in three different honor societies and is on the student advisory council to the Dean of Arts and Sciences. At her daughter's elementary school, she is a Girl Scout leader and PTO officer.
Scardino is also a McNair Scholar and Kell Container Corporation scholar, UW-Eau Claire's top scholarship.
"She's a great citizen, very active in the Eau Claire community," Hartsel said. "It's hard to find something that she hasn't done."
- Spectator staff
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