Dean's Scholars

Welcome

Welcome to the Dean’s Scholars Honors Program. We hope that your experience in the program is as rewarding as it has been for the hundreds of Dean’s Scholars who have been participating since 1983.

This handbook has been prepared as an introduction to the program. You will learn about important people, activities, policies, dates…in fact, much more than you can remember so keep it close.

If you are similar to your predecessor Dean’s Scholars, you may find that this program is the most important facet of your university experience. The Scholars you meet may very likely be your friends for life – you may even meet a future spouse in the program. Through our network of contacts, you will also meet faculty and research supervisors who will be important mentors for you during your careers here at this university and beyond.

Lastly, please notice the wide range of activities the program has to offer: mentoring, sports, social events, lectures, etc... Without question performing well in your classes is of paramount importance. However, there is so much more to the university education than what happens in classes. You may look back later and say this was the most enriching period of your life—make up your mind now to get as much as you can from it.

David M. Hillis

Dean’s Scholars Program Director and Alfred W. Roark Centennial Professor in Natural Sciences

Faculty Steering Committee

Dean's Scholars Faculty Steering Committee Members:

David Hillis, Dean's Scholars Faculty Director, Integrative Biology

Jeffrey Barrick, Molecular Biosciences

Catilyn Casey, Astronomy

Mirela Ciperiani, Mathematics

Arturo De Lozanne, Molecular Biosciences

Norma Fowler, Environmental Science

Carlos Baiz, Chemistry

Arie Israel, Mathematics

Arlen Johnson, Molecular Biosciences

Adam Kraus, Astronomy

Calvin Lin, Computer Science

Misha Matz, Integrative Biology

Lisa Neff, Human Development and Family Sciences

Tim Perutz, Mathematics

Greg Sitz, Physics

David Vanden Bout, Chemistry

Dean's Scholars Student Association 2022-2023

The Dean’s Scholars Student Association (or DS Council) is an entity of volunteer DSers who plan all of our events, including Friday Lunches, game nights, dinners, weekend trips, and our Distinguished Lecture Series. We focus on preparing our motivated students for successful careers by providing enriching intellectual opportunities and fostering a strong sense of community between members, research faculty, and a vast network of alumni dating back to 1983. Anyone and everyone in DS can join and help out!

Email: deans.scholars.council@gmail.com

Website: http://deansscholars.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/utdeansscholars

Instagram: http://instagram.com/deansscholars

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSHonors

Duaa Ansari

Hello! I am Duaa Ansari, a third-year chemistry major from Sugar Land, TX. My research interests are focused on the intersection of organic and inorganic chemistry. I currently work in the Que Lab where I synthesize and characterize inhibitors for various metalloenzymes! I love to try different cuisines, work on naturesque paintings and drawings, watch movies/shows (especially anything Marvel related), play tennis, and attempt to cook on occasion. I am excited to serve as the 2022-2023 DS Council Chair!

Adar Ambar

Hey! I’m Adar Ambar, a second-year chemistry major with a focus in electrochemistry/material chemistry from Calabasas, CA. I’m currently working in Aubrey Lab where I research new components for magnesium-based batteries, including synthesis of new electrolytes and electrode materials. I’m a big fan of cooking, writing music on my guitar, and playing video games. You can probably recognize me from being the loudest person in a room for no good reason.

Emma Babaian

Hey! I’m Emma, a 3rd-year Neuroscience major/Science Communication minor from Sugar Land, Texas. I work in the Fenno lab, where we bridge molecular engineering, systems neuroscience, and medicine to find new insights into and treatments for psychiatric diseases. In my free time, I love to crochet, swim, play video games, and cook. Here on council, I’m the chair for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, and I’m also involved with council-wide efforts to facilitate mental health support within DS!

Katherine Faulkner

Hiya! I’m Katherine Faulkner, a fourth year biology track environmental science major from Fort Worth, Texas. I’m interested in paleobiology, and I research foraminifera as a proxy for climate change in the Martindale-Lowery lab. I love reading, drawing, going to museums, and traveling! If you can’t find me, I’m probably in a field lab somewhere climbing around on rocks. I’m happy to share my three years of council wisdom!

Stephanie Kim

Hi! I’m Stephanie Kim, a 2nd-year Biochemistry major from College Station, Texas. I am also pursuing pre-medical and forensic science certificate track at UT Austin. I am currently working in Torii lab, where we focus on stomata development of arabidopsis in response to environmental influences. I am also interested in psychology, philosophy and astronomy, so I am looking forward to taking related courses in following years. In my free time, I love to explore new restaurants and dessert places and I also cook and bake a lot. As a council member, I am mostly involved in arranging social events. Feel free to talk to me if you want any academic advice, or even emotional support!

Susanna Kim

Hello! My name is Susanna Kim, and I am a second-year biochemistry major from Austin, Texas (hook ‘em)! I am on a pre-dental track and I currently work as a dental assistant in a clinic. I’d love to talk to you if you are finding a dentist or pursuing a pre-dental path! I am also currently in the Supra Sensors FRI lab and a summer fellow for the program. I am researching tannin compositions in seaweed that could be used as an animal feed to decrease the methane production of the ruminants. I have a lot of hobbies: sketching, doing (but being very bad at) card tricks, photography, and solving puzzles. I would describe myself as easygoing and chill, so if you have any questions or random conversations, feel free to talk to me!

Shashwat Limbasia

Hey everyone! I’m Shashwat, a 2nd-year Neuroscience major from Irving, Texas. I am really interested in anything related to biochemistry, and that has led me to pursuing work in the Taylor lab. I am currently investigating the gene editing mechanism, CRISPR-Cas, by optimizing enzyme kinetics and producing cryo-EM structures. In my free time, I love to swim, watch new Hindi movies, go bouldering, and play video games. As council member, I am usually in charge of many of the academic/research events and aid in planning for some social events!

Joanna Liu

Hi everyone! I’m Joanna, a 3rd year Biochemistry major from Corpus Christi, Texas. I’m interested in anything cancer and/or epigenetic related research. I currently mentor for Gene Networks, a FRI stream that focuses on ribonucleoprotein complexes. I’m also a transfer student in DS (applied to Dean’s after my first semester at UT), so if you have any questions please let me know! In my free time, I love to draw, paint, and try new food places in Austin! Within the Council, I help out with basically anything that needs helpers. Connect with me if you have any questions or just want to talk :)

Akhil Mandalapu

Yo! I’m Akhil Mandalapu, a third year public health major from Houston, Texas. I’m interested in researching how urban design shapes public health and how we can design smarter more efficient cities in the Urban Information Lab. I am currently exploring new interests in gardening, web design and falling back in love with reading. I mostly help out on council with initiatives like the website redesign, taking photos at events, the alumni mentorship program and leading a few events here and there. I’m glad to talk about anything regarding UT, research, Dean’s Scholars or Council!

Emily May

Hi, there! My name is Emily, and I am a fourth year Neuroscience major, Philosophy minor from San Antonio and Austin. DS events/Council have been some of, if not the best parts of my college experience. As our previous Council Chair for 2021-2022, I will largely be connecting with our alumni this year and would love to have you be a part of our outreach!

I am passionate about research in neuroendocrine influence on the brain and women’s health and have been looking at neuroimaging research on ovarian hormones and oral contraceptive influence on the brain from a feminist theory lense at University of Northern British Columbia. With the timing of educating ourselves around Roe and its impacts, if you have any questions about contraceptives or women’s health would love to chat or point you in the direction of some resources :). At UT, I work in the Freeman lab comparing MRI processing tools for measures of brain atrophy in patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Phelps lab taking a more molecular neuroscience approach using immunohistochemistry to label two experiences in the prairie vole brain to identify neurons and areas involved in the memory of pair bonding.

As for hobbies, I love to hike (although I’m learning that my hiking is more walking pace and stopping to look around in nature compared to the hiking in Canada) and try new foodie places around Austin- and then cook them.

Sandy Nguyen

Hi friends! I’m Sandy, second-year biology major from Cypress, Texas. I’m poking around in synthetic biology research, which currently entails engineering polymerases in the Ellington lab and caffeine-addicted E. coli in the Microbe Hackers FRI stream. In my nonexistent spare time, I enjoy playing the clarinet, hugging furry animals, baking, and wandering around green spaces.

Abby Roland

Hi! I'm Abby and I'm a third year biology major from Austin (but don't take that to mean I know how to navigate to a single place). I love epigenetics and I do research in the Kim Lab on stem cell differentiation. My hobbies include: reading, theater, trying to convince my friends to watch Survivor, going on 3am adventures to insomnia cookies, playing dnd, and baking. If you have any questions about DS, DS council, or DS council social cookie-brownies I'd be happy to answer them!

Aileen Vela

Hello! I’m Aileen, a 2nd year Neuroscience major/Turkish minor from San Antonio, Texas. I am interested in research related to neurodegenerative disease, spinal injury, and drug discovery. I am a part of the Virtual Cures FRI stream, which focuses on infectious disease drug discovery. Currently, I am a CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholar (CUPS) conducting a community health needs assessment on infant mortality in Washtenaw County for Michigan Medicine. In my free time, I take photos, crochet, and paint. In Council, I help with outreach for Friday Lunch and take photos of events. If you need a friend or a self-declared coffee connoisseur, please feel free to reach out!

Nikhil Vinod

Hello there! My name Nikhil and I am a sophomore biochemistry major on the premed track and am also pursuing a business minor. I am currently part of the Functional Genomics FRI lab where we focus on analyzing the phenotypic effects of human histone genes in yeast. My hobbies include drawing, reading manga/watching anime, playing basketball, and a myriad of random hobbies I phase in and out of. I am from Houston, specifically the actual Houston part of Houston. I am always up to help out with anything so feel free to let me know, including the most random idea you might want to do something with.

Admission Selection

The Dean’s Scholars program is highly selective, admitting forty-five to fifty freshmen each year, as well as a small number of upper-class students. Dean’s Scholars seek the intellectual challenge and stimulation of an interdisciplinary program emphasizing scientific research. Factors in the admission decision are the student’s high school and/or college grades, class rank, the rigor of the courses the student has taken, the quality of the required application essays, a strong recommendation from a math or science instructor, and the student’s interest in math and/or scientific research as demonstrated by extracurricular activities. As Dean’s Scholars, students are oriented toward research and encouraged through their work to perceive the world as presenting questions that can be answered through experimentation.

Program Requirements

Dean’s Scholars is a four-year honors degree program for highly motivated and talented students with a demonstrated interest in math and/or scientific research. Students earn a Bachelor of Science Honors degree, available in most of the majors offered by the College of Natural Sciences.

To remain in good standing in Dean’s Scholars, students are expected to maintain at least a 3.50 grade point average. Students who do not may be dismissed from the program by the faculty director.

Degree Plans

2020-2022 CATALOG

2018-2020 CATALOG

Thesis

General information about thesis expectations can be found here. Forms and department-specific information can be found in the document here.

Honor Code

The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.

The code above was created by University of Texas at Austin students, staff, and faculty and was adopted by the university in 2004.

The Dean’s Scholars Program is founded on the principle that the challenge of education is to understand nature and humanity’s part in it. As such, the investigation of nature must be the common quest for students and faculty alike. Science is one of the most important intellectual achievements of human history: it is also a central determiner of human development. The Dean’s Scholars Program desires students interested in individual discovery and in acquiring a broad view of how science fits into the community - the broad view necessary for assuming important scientific careers and,eventually, leadership positions in the scientific community.

Each graduating Dean's Scholar completes an Honors Thesis that satisfies both the Departmental Honors Thesis requirements of their home discipline as well as those of the Dean's Scholars Honors Program. Honors theses are archived here to provide examples and a historical record of Dean's Scholar accomplishments in research.

Honors Thesis Guidelines

Sample Permission Page

All students admitted to Dean's Scholars are automatically considered for a CNS scholarship by the Director of Dean's Scholars and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education. Applicants must complete and submit their Dean's Scholars application by December 1st.

Students who do not receive scholarships as entering freshmen can apply for a number of scholarships available to continuing students starting their second semester at UT-Austin. Click Here for scholarships information for current students.

Process for Registration/Advising for Current Dean's Scholars

Registration for Spring 2015 semester begins October 27th and goes through November 7th. Well in advance of your registration time, you should do the following:

1. See your DS Academic Advisor

2. See your DS Faculty Advisor

3. Return your signed Faculty Advising Form.

4. Check your registration time/day on UT Direct.

5. Make sure that you don't have any financial or administrative bars

6. When it is your time, register for your classes online.

1. See your DS Academic Advisor

At this appointment/group advising session, you will get a) your personal degree plan that shows what degree requirements you have completed and which you still need to take, and b) a tan DS Faculty Advising Form upon which you will fill in the classes you plan to take in the upcoming semester.

The Honors Academic Advisor is Mark Hemenway. Email him or call 512-232-1048 to make an appointment.

2. See your DS Faculty Advisor

Your faculty advisor will talk with you about classes in your major, research, plans for graduate/professional school, etc. and they will sign your Faculty Advising Form approving the courses you plan to take in the upcoming semester. Bring both the Faculty Advising Form and your Degree Plan with you to the meeting. [Who is my faculty advisor?]

3. Return your signed Faculty Advising Form.

Return it to the front desk of PAI 5.60 for Mark and your advising bar will be removed. This is an important step as you will not be able to register until your bar is removed!

4. Check your registration time/day on UT Direct.

5. Make sure that you don't have any financial or administrative bars

(e.g. an unpaid parking ticket, or an overdue library book) that will prevent you from registering.

6. When it is your time, register for your classes online.

If you have trouble getting into a College of Natural Sciences course, contact Mark: we will likely be able to help you. There isn't much we can do for classes in other colleges unfortunately.

As always, please feel free to email or call Mark if you have questions about the process.

Who is my faculty advisor? [back to top]

If you are currently working with a faculty member on your thesis research, they can discuss these topics with you and sign your Faculty Advising Form.

If you are not yet working with a faculty member on research, or just don't feel comfortable having your thesis advisor sign off on your classes, you should meet with the DS Steering Committee Representative(s) for your major, they are listed below:

Astronomy
Don Winget

Biology
Arturo De Lozanne
Arlen Johnson
Nancy Moran
George Pollak

Biohemistry
Jeff Barrick

Chemistry
John Stanton

Computer Science
Calvin Lin

Math
Mirela Ciperiani
Tim Perutz

Physics
Greg Sitz

Handbook