News
Lea Michel

Grace Perna, a third-year biotechnology student, and Eva Reilly, a second-year biochemistry major, will use the scholarship to further their research in labs that aim to find better solutions for a range of diseases.

Lea Michel’s commitment to mentorship, diversity, and hands-on learning reflects the same encouragement that once sparked her own path in STEM. She is being recognized for her impact with the 2025 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching. 

RIT has been announced as one of 10 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutional Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in Biomedical and Behavioral Research Prize Competition award winners.

More than 200 international students began their studies at RIT remotely in fall 2020, including 65 undergraduate students and 159 master’s students. RIT Admissions officials said the students have done remarkably well given the challenging circumstances, and 83 percent of those students are now studying at RIT’s campus in Henrietta.

RIT is helping more students from nontraditional pathways get hands-on experience in scientific research early in their academic careers through a unique summer program focused on mentorship.