Almost all modern technology relies on the ability of electrons to carry charge. This is essential for electricity, power transmission, electronic devices, battery storage and many other uses.

However, electrons possess another built-in property beyond charge — spin. Scientists have been trying to harness this property for years, says Paul Stevenson, an assistant professor of physics at Northeastern University, leading to the emergence of a new field called spintronics.

“People have tried to find ways to make new materials that can manipulate this spin property as well as the charge property,” he says.

Surprisingly, research over the last decade suggests that nature may have already mastered what scientists have been trying to engineer. Stevenson explains that biomolecules seem to naturally use this property of electrons.

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Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Donte Lewis ‘26, BS Cell and Molecular Biology | Los Angeles, CA 

What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research? 

My passion for science ignited in high school when I was exposed to cancer research at the Ellison Institute of Medicine where I was a summer research intern. I then pursued an internship at the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) due to my interest in the growing opioid crisis in my community. These experiences inspired me to pursue my degree in cell and molecular biology.  

What does winning a Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship mean to you? 

Winning the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship is a moment in my scientific career and personal journey I will never forget. It is more than just a financial encouragement; it is affirming that my passion for scientific inquiry can be applied to real-world challenges. Knowing that the College of Science believes in the fusion of science and innovation inspires me to pursue my passions to an even higher level. 

What do you plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship for? 

I plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship to continue to fund my collegiate studies to help strengthen my scientific insights. 

How has implementing entrepreneurship impacted your view on science and/or your current research/study area? 

Entrepreneurship has allowed me to view science from a more creative perspective. I am allowed to think beyond traditional boundaries and explore theoretical research with real-world applications. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset has challenged the way I approach my studies/research because now I see them as inventive problem-solving. 

Where do you see your entrepreneurship ideas going in the next few years?  

I see my entrepreneurial ideas expanding over the next few years. Now that I have a baseline of what can be accomplished, the possibilities are endless. 

What advice would you give science students interested in entrepreneurship?  

I would encourage anyone with any idea to pursue it. All it takes is one person to believe in your ideas and that one person must always be yourself. 

What is something that you are most proud of?  

I am most proud to be a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to serve the community that molded me into the person and scientist I am today.

Siima Kiriziya Machayo ‘26, BS Behavioral Neuroscience | Atlanta and Northern Virginia 

What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research? 

My inspiration for pursuing behavioral neuroscience is rooted in my fascination with how the brain influences every aspect of people’s lives and how this knowledge can be applied to improve human health.  

My middle name, my grandmother’s maiden name, is a meaningful way to honor her and carry a piece of her legacy with me. She profoundly shaped my passion for neuroscience and, through her life experiences, inspired my interest in understanding the universal impact of brain health and its effects on individuals worldwide. Our shared name, which translates to “universal,” drives my desire to explore the global impact of brain health. I seek to continue expanding my knowledge to work at the intersection of neuroscience and entrepreneurship to further healthcare by developing advances that drive equity. While interventions remain inequitable, my grandmother’s story inspires me to advance equity and be a force for the common good.  

Exploring my neuroscience research interests led me to become a Research Assistant at Dr. Shansky’s Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Behavior. As an aspiring doctor, I hope to diagnose and treat neurological disorders and conditions while providing the best care to my patients. By studying behavioral neuroscience, I can contribute to developing innovative solutions that could improve lives and help address some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. 

What does winning a Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship mean to you? 

Receiving the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship represents a significant and pivotal step in my educational and entrepreneurial journey. This scholarship provides both financial support and reaffirms my commitment to combining science with innovative solutions. It recognizes my passion for collaborating and encouraging my peers to think creatively and apply their scientific knowledge in meaningful ways to innovate and work to solve critical global issues. The Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship is a key step in transforming my ideas into real-world applications that can have a lasting impact and advance innovation in science. 

What do you plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship for? 

I plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance entrepreneurial initiatives. I will organize interdisciplinary hackathons and monthly challenges that allow students to combine their expertise to solve real-world problems, fostering a diverse approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. This is especially beneficial for students with combined majors, as they bring a diverse set of skills and perspectives that can contribute to innovative solutions and successful ventures.  

Interdisciplinary College of Science hackathons would allow students to bring their entrepreneurial ideas to life in a vibrant community environment. Monthly challenges would enable students to engage in a friendly environment with one another and reach goals to drive impact.  

By fostering entrepreneurship within the College of Science, I aim to empower students to think creatively and create solutions that can shape our future. This scholarship will allow me to implement these ideas, collaborate with like-minded peers, and contribute to a culture where scientific innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thrive. 

How has implementing entrepreneurship impacted your view on science and/or your current research/study area? 

Entrepreneurship has transformed how I view science by deepening my understanding of how pivoting can drive change, reinforcing my commitment to scientific and medical advancement. This led me to apply for Project-Based Exploration for the Advancement of Knowledge (PEAK) awards. I was awarded two PEAK awards for my project on Tracking Capacitance in Pavlovian Fear Conditioning to Measure Shock Delivery Precision. The project, with the support of the Shansky Lab, explores using an Arduino to track changes in the capacitance of the grid floor, which could vary based on how much of the animal’s body is in contact with it. By measuring these changes, I aim to understand further how the rat’s position influences shock delivery, helping refine our understanding of associative learning and the impact of shock precision in behavioral experiments. 

Where do you see your entrepreneurship ideas going in the next few years?  

In the next few years, I envision my entrepreneurial ideas growing through the promotion of cross-disciplinary collaboration within the College of Science. My vision is to inspire students from different disciplines to come together to resolve key global issues like access to healthcare and sustainability. By organizing interdisciplinary hackathons and monthly challenges, I aim to create opportunities for students to combine their skills and perspectives to develop innovative solutions. These events will foster an entrepreneurial and collaborative atmosphere, offering students an opportunity to see their ideas take shape in a nurturing, community-driven environment. I envision these initiatives as strides toward creating impactful change and driving the importance of entrepreneurship across the College of Science. 

What advice would you give science students interested in entrepreneurship?  

My advice for science students interested in entrepreneurship is to immerse themselves fully in the experience. The more effort you invest, the greater the rewards you’ll reap. Embrace every challenge and opportunity; surround yourself with passionate, supportive individuals who can guide you throughout the journey. The process can be exhilarating, but remembering to prioritize self-care is vital. Stay open-minded and proactive; your scientific background provides invaluable skills that can enhance your entrepreneurial journey.  

Cultivate your curiosity—ask questions, explore new ideas, trust yourself, and seek out learning opportunities. Most importantly, remain present and engaged. 

What is something that you are most proud of?  

An accomplishment I am most proud of is that this past summer, I interned at the White House in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, contributing to research projects that assessed the impact of science and technology on underrepresented communities. I played a vital role in supporting the President’s Council of Science and Technology (PCAST). Specifically, I supported the following reports: A Vision for Advancing Nutrition Science in the United States, Expanding STEM Talent in the Federal Workforce, and Improving Groundwater Security in the United States. This experience deepened my understanding of how effective policy can drive innovation and belonging while deepening my commitment to promoting equity in science.  

Also, this semester, my co-host and I received a COS Equity Action Fund Grant to implement our podcast, In the Know, designed as a resource for first-year students exploring diverse scientific fields and topics. 

Naomi Rajput ‘26, BS Behavioral Neuroscience | Mumbai, India and New Jersey
 

What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research? 

My first co–op resulted in me pursuing my venture – Eden. Working as a front office administrator, I saw pain points on administrative workflows that affected physicians, admins, and patients alike. This resulted in me exploring current solutions in the space and after realizing that the solutions were outdated or did not solve the problem, I sought out innovative ways to solve this problem which resulted in me cofounding this venture.  

What does winning a Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship mean to you? 

Winning the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship provides us with the support to advance to the next steps. We can use the funds to pilot our product with our pilot partner and prove that what we plan to do can happen. With these funds we can acquire new clients and grow the business and get better care faster to patients.  

What do you plan to use the Science Connects to Innovation Scholarship for? 

We plan to use the scholarship to accelerates our technological build and client acquisition over the next few months. We have built out three features already and this money will help us continue to build the remaining features. 

How has implementing entrepreneurship impacted your view on science and/or your current research/study area? 

Entrepreneurship has made me more open minded, and I see things a lot more differently. I think in science we sometimes get caught up with a micro level focus and in technical language, but through this venture I have learned to communicate effectively with broad, non-technical audiences – a key asset to any founder. 

Where do you see your entrepreneurship ideas going in the next few years?  

I plan to build Eden and grow the startup to a successful and sustainable business. I also plan to become a physician entrepreneur. 

What advice would you give science students interested in entrepreneurship? 

Don’t limit yourself to your textbooks, premed, or study track. Life begins on the other side of fear.  

Explore new territories and challenge yourself. Don’t seek comfort or balance – Aggressive Growth is the product of imbalance. Just dive in and ask the obvious annoying questions – no one is an expert.  

What is something that you are most proud of?  

I am proud of my involvement in bringing entrepreneurship to COS while working with Assistant Dean Reisberg. I have been able to educate my peers about the benefits and importance of having business acumen, grit and persistence – I recently gave a  TEDxNortheasternU talk on that very topic – The Growth Blueprint: Neuroplasticity, Grit, and the Power of Change.