of Cambridge as Gates Scholars
Yale seniors Joshua Batson and Molly Fox are among 45 students nationwide
who have been awarded Gates Scholarships for graduate study at the University
of Cambridge.
T H I S
The two undergraduates were chosen from among 635 U.S. applicants.
Batson, who is majoring in mathematics at Yale, will study at Cambridge for
the Certificate of Advanced Study in Pure Mathematics, a world-renowned year-long
program of coursework, writing and examination. Fox, who is majoring in theater
studies and biological anthropology, will pursue a doctorate in the field of
biological anthropology.
Joshua Batson
Upon completing the Certificate of Advanced Study at Cambridge, Batson plans
to enter a doctoral program with the intention of improving the way universities
teach undergraduate mathematics.
“Having seen the value and beauty of mathematics in my own life, I want
to share it with others,” he says.
Batson hails from Saratoga, California. He has enjoyed math since his elementary-school
days, and says he savors both the practical and theoretical aspects of the
discipline. While he has not yet chosen a specific subfield to focus on at
Cambridge, the Yale senior says he looks forward to selecting from 80 course
offerings and interacting with the large and international class he will be
joining there.
Batson has been elected to Phi Beta Kappa and has won six prizes at Yale: five
for mathematics and one for literary criticism. His passion for his field inspired
him to found the Yale Undergraduate Math Society and to tutor dozens of students.
Batson also relishes bringing the language of math to everyday issues. As an
intern, he analyzed Internet activity at advertising.com and modeled interest
rate volatility at a hedge fund. Last summer, he researched a problem in additive number theory,
and spoke about his work at a seminar in New York and at a conference in San
Diego. His paper was recently accepted by the Journal of Number Theory.
“In my free time, I enjoy making music,” says Batson. “I began
11 years ago with classical trumpet, picked up jazz in high school and got hooked
on klezmer at Yale. I hope to continue playing all three at Cambridge next year.”
Molly Fox
At Cambridge, Fox will continue research she began at Yale on pre-eclampsia,
an increase in maternal blood pressure occurring during pregnancy. The condition
is more prevalent among certain populations than others. Fox believes that it is immunogenetic in origin. She finds the mother/fetus relationship
a fascinating paradox that is, she says, “genetically primed to have
conflict.” She seeks to discover how the process of adaptation might
work to the benefit of reproductive outcome. She hopes her research will yield
information that might influence the practice of obstetrics.
Fox, who grew up on Long Island, is also an accomplished playwright. Her
second play and first musical, titled “Usher,” will be performed
at the New York International Fringe Festival this summer. The play is based
on the Poe classic “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Fox’s
first play, “The Danaides,” earned a public reading at the Playwright’s
Theater. Fox credits her education as a librettist to the Ted Shen Musical
Theater curriculum, which is offered through the Yale Theater Studies Program.
In addition to honing the craft of playwriting as an academic pursuit, Fox
has acted in 22 plays as an extracurricular activity at Yale.
An accomplished musician, she has played trumpet solo in the Berkeley College orchestra
and regularly marched with the Yale Band.
Fox says she hopes that earning a doctorate in biological anthropology will
enable her to contribute to public health policy. She has not, however, ruled
out a future career in the theater.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2000 by the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation to support postgraduate study and research at the University
of Cambridge. Students from any country in the world, except the United Kingdom,
who have already been accepted by the University of Cambridge for postgraduate
study, are eligible to apply. About 150 awards are made annually; one-third
of the recipients are from the United States.
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
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Ten appointed members of American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Mathematician Peter Jones named to National Academy of Sciences
Ian Shapiro chosen to join American Philosophical Society
Strobel’s students rediscover sense of scientific ‘wonder’ . .
Yale to celebrate 307th graduation
Summertime at Yale
Scientist Joan Steitz wins nation’s largest prize in medicine
University names 18 future leaders as 2008 World FellowsENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Mary E. Miller named Sterling Professor of the History of Art
Joseph Roach appointed Sterling Professor of Theater
Dr. Madhav Dhodapkar is the new Bunker Professor of Hematology
Dr. Richard Edelson is the first Lerner Professor of Dermatology
Architecture students helping to design Mideast Peace Park
China’s President Hu Jintao meets with participants in . . .
In Yale-led study, astronomers discover nine young galaxies . . .
Research on male mating behavior suggests brains may be unisex . . .
Paul Anastas honored as the founder of ‘green chemistry’
Town-gown partners honored with Elm-Ivy AwardsSCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Drug addicts can learn to save lives, says researcher
Study: No ‘Hollywood heart attack’ symptoms for most women
Findings suggest eating chocolate may be boon to pregnant women
Early-stage bone cells may offer possible estrogen replacement
Expert assesses lessons from 12 years of anti-smoking efforts
Computer program helps keep drug abusers abstinent, study shows
Noted gastroenterologist named chief medical officer at YMG
Yale Ob/Gyn researchers discuss their work at New Orleans meeting
Symposium on pain management aimed at medical school students
Exhibits explore artist’s Liverpool years, British watercolors
Two student-curated shows focus on the medium of photography
Library creates digital archive of ‘oldest college daily’
Two seniors will study at the University of Cambridge as Gates Scholars
Campus leaders discuss strategies for increasing staff diversity
Former Bucknell chaplain is named new pastor of University Church
Professor Miroslav Volf will co-teach class with . . .
Tony Blair
Council of Masters honors 10 juniors for their scholarship . . .
Conference focuses on ‘Women and Men in the Globalizing University’
The future of ‘Computers, Freedom and Privacy’ to be addressed . . .
Karyn Frick honored for contributions to women’s health
Campus Notes
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