As we celebrate the past and present contributions of women across the world, we are proud to highlight some of the many brilliant young women in our FAITH Scholars program who are driving change and pursuing excellence.
Whether in their research labs, classrooms, internships or extracurricular activities, these rising trailblazers are committed to lifting up and empowering their peers, campuses and communities. They are leading as exceptional shining examples and making a better world for us all!
Callie Saric, 2020 FAITH Scholar; Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 2020 Michael Jaharis Memorial FAITH Scholar
A passionate advocate for accessibility, Callie is minoring in disability rights, organizes individualized activities for adults with development disabilities as president of Best Buddies, is a learning aid for students with cerebral palsy and works in a dementia specialist facility. She researches vocal health issues in the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research lab and created a custom vocal profile to generate an AI voice persona for an an individual with a voice disorder. She also worked with a neurosurgeon to design a hip pad for surgeries in prone positioning to reduce pressure and the chances of developing numbness and pain. Callie was honored as a 2020 Michael Jaharis Memorial FAITH Scholar.
Naomi Solomon, 2021 FAITH Scholar; Symbolic Systems, Stanford University
Naomi's major studies the intersection of humanity and technology which combines her love of coding and psychology. As a fellow in Stanford's Refuge Fellowship, Naomi researches religion and how it converges with personal identity for marginalized communities. A gifted orator and past National Champion of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical festival, she teaches speech composition, elements of argument and tools for advocacy as a public speaking teacher at a tuition-free charter school.
Alexia Marriott, 2021 FAITH Scholar; Neuroscience, Emory University
With goals to obtain a PhD in neuroscience, Alexia spent the summer conducting full-time research on neurodegenerative disorders in Emory's Weinshenker Lab. As president of Citizen Science Health and Diversity, Alexia runs a student-led program teaching STEM curricula to Atlanta middle school students. Additionally, she served on the HealthHacks Committee, organized curriculum for an all-girls hack-a-thon and increased public awareness and knowledge of addiction with the Science Gallery of Atlanta. She was appointed Greek Orthodox representative in the Inter-Religious Council where she works with Emory’s faith-based student organizations to cultivate greater inter-religious understanding and engagement among the student body.
Calliope Hartofilis, 2021 FAITH Scholar; Political Science, Northeastern University
Calliope conducts legal research and observes court proceedings as an intern for the Bronx Criminal Court. She founded a nonprofit initiative that uses a peer support group model to promote healthy stress management amongst students and increase mental health awareness. Additionally, Calliope organized the Thanksgiving Turkey Basket outreach project, co-organized Ronald McDonald House visits and food and clothing drives for the homeless and successfully campaigned to establish her parish's first ever blood drive. She is a facilitator for the theological discussions club and is a student ambassador. She is interested in the field of social advocacy and law.
Diamanda Zizis, 2019 FAITH Scholar; Biology, Bucknell University
A presidential fellow, Diamanda received first place in the Pennsylvania Botany Symposium for her three year research studying the growth of multiple generations of hybrid plants. She was awarded a grant by the Torrey Botanical Society to fund research with a leading expert in plant reproductive biology at the University of Connecticut and has since traveled to the Botany Conference in Anchorage, Alaska to present her research on solanum. After spending a summer studying abroad in Denmark, she returned to campus and is the Botanical Society of America's co-president and involved in five botanical professional associations and the Hellenic Society.
Stavroula Psefteas, 2022 FAITH Scholar; Justice, Community & Leadership, St. Mary's College of California
Stavroula volunteered with outreach initiatives, including UNICEF and the Castro Valley Food Pantry and founded a mentorship program pairing young professionals with high school students to help ease the transition into college. An honor roll student, she received state-level awards for choir, piano, dance, speech and public speaking and was awarded the Grant Concourse Silver Medal in the national French contest. Additionally, she teaches elementary students, performs in several theater productions and helps direct her parish's middle school and elementary dance groups.