Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Health & Society
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Health & Society

Rosa Leon ’14 Awarded National Institute of Health Research Supplement

Monday, July 21, 2014, By Sarah Scalese
Share
AwardsDiversity and InclusionResearch and CreativeStudents
Rosa Leon

Rosa Leon

Rosa Leon ’14, who graduated this past May with a dual major in biology and neuroscience, received a diversity supplement to Sandra and James Hewett’s National Institute of Health grant to support her research.

This supplement will allow Leon to continue the studies she initiated as an undergraduate in the laboratory of James Hewett, professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, now in collaboration with Sandra Hewett, Beverly Petterson Bishop Professor of Neuroscience and professor of biology. This is a mentored award, meaning that Leon will continue to work closely with both James and Sandra Hewett for the next 12 months, melding his work on epilepsy research with her work in neurodegeneration.

“Rosa was an outstanding undergraduate student and we have no doubt she will continue to do great work in the lab during her gap year,” Sandra Hewett says. “Both Jim and I are thrilled she was awarded this supplement, specifically designed to support outstanding students from backgrounds traditionally under-represented in science so that they may better prepare for post-graduate education. We are all very excited about this award.”

Leon, who will soon begin applying to graduate school, can add this award to her already impressive resume. Recently, Leon was the only undergraduate among 12 people invited to present research at the New England Science Symposium held at Harvard University Medical School. She has also presented her work at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) twice. Both times her attendance was sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Leon attributes her success largely to the mentors that she had during her undergraduate years in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“I am where I am today thanks to my mentors, who took the time to talk to me, get to know me, share their experience with me and guide me. The College of Arts and Sciences faculty helped me obtain unforgettable and significant experiences during my undergraduate career. Along with helping me apply and gain acceptance into the ABRCMS, they also helped me obtain an internship with the Onondaga medical examiner’s office when I expressed an interest in forensic pathology.”

Originally from Lima, Peru, Leon moved to New Jersey when she was 8 years old. She also lived in Puerto Rico for several years before enrolling in Syracuse University. After completing her research at Syracuse University, Leon plans to attend graduate school. Her long-term goals include a Ph.D. in neuroscience and a career in academia, teaching and running a laboratory.

  • Author

Sarah Scalese

  • Recent
  • DPS Earns Accreditation From International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
    Friday, June 6, 2025, By Kiana Racha
  • Rock Record Illuminates Oxygen History
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By Dan Bernardi
  • What Can Ancient Climate Tell Us About Modern Droughts?
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By News Staff
  • Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Syracuse Stage Concludes 2024-25 Season With ‘The National Pastime’
    Wednesday, June 4, 2025, By Joanna Penalva

More In Health & Society

Timur Hammond’s ‘Placing Islam’ Receives Journal’s Honorable Mention

A book authored by Timur Hammond, associate professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, received an honorable mention in the 2025 International Journal of Islamic Architecture (IJIA) Book Award competition. The awards…

Snapshots From Route 66: One Student’s Journey to Newhouse LA

“If you ever plan to travel west, travel my way, take the highway that’s the best.” It’s been nearly 80 years since Nat King Cole uttered the now famous lyrics, “Get your kicks on Route 66,” but still to this…

Studying and Reversing the Damaging Effects of Pollution and Acid Rain With Charles Driscoll (Podcast)

Before Charles Driscoll came to Syracuse University as a civil and environmental engineering professor, he had always been interested in ways to protect our environment and natural resources. Growing up an avid camper and outdoors enthusiast, Driscoll set about studying…

Major League Soccer’s Meteoric Rise: From Underdog to Global Contender

With the 30th anniversary of Major League Soccer (MLS) fast approaching, it’s obvious MLS has come a long way from its modest beginning in 1996. Once considered an underdog in the American sports landscape, the league has grown into a…

Rebekah Lewis Named Director of Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is pleased to announce that Rebekah Lewis is the new director of the Maxwell-based Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health. She joined the Maxwell School as a faculty fellow…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.