The Lafayette Fellowship Class of 2026 – 2027

⬤ From Columbia University, Major in French and Political Science
► To PSL-Ecole nationale des Chartes, Visiting Student in the program Erudition 

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Catherine Alexander graduated from Columbia University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Francophone Studies and Political Science. Her senior thesis examined the evolution of the political and electoral landscape in Guadeloupe. With an interest in legal and political history, she hopes to conduct research on the circulation of political ideas between France and the United States. At Columbia, she was co-president of the French Cultural Society. She plans to pursue a Juris Doctor, specializing in cultural heritage law. As a Lafayette Fellow she will conduct research on the life and political engagement of General Lafayette in partnership with the Fondation de Chambrun-Lafayette.

“The Lafayette Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to engage more deeply with the questions that have shaped my academic path. I am especially excited to share this experience with my peers, learning from one another as we reflect on cultural exchange and leadership.”

⬤ From Kalamazoo College, Major in Chemistry
► To Université Paris Cité, Master in Biomedical Engineering

Olivia Cannizzaro grew up in a bicultural environment. She graduated from Kalamazoo College with a Bachelor of Arts. A major in chemistry led her to medicinal topics, specifically the synthesis of natural products such as novel PPAR (Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors) ligands aiming to reduce insulin resistance. She previously engaged in a six-month exchange program in Clermont-Ferrand researching the French healthcare system and is looking forward to shifting towards Biomedical Engineering at Université Paris Cité.

“Participating in the Lafayette Fellowship allows me to realize a longtime dream of living and studying in France, enriching my understanding of my heritage and contributing to the relationship between my nationalities. I am most excited for the opportunity to grow as a leader and advocate in international public health.”

⬤ From Princeton University, Major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
► To École polytechnique, Master in Energy Environment Science Technology and Management

Braeden Carroll is a senior undergraduate at Princeton University majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His thesis investigates the structural resistance of heritage timber buildings. In addition to structural engineering, his academic curiosity spans from sustainable energy to economics to public policy, and he looks forward to uniting these interests in the STEEM program at École polytechnique to help advance the energy transition in the coming decades. Outside of class, he is a member of the varsity men’s lightweight rowing team.

“The Lafayette Fellowship marks a step forward from undergraduate study and the opportunity to engage and collaborate with leaders in the global push for a sustainable future. I am excited to join an incredible cohort of Fellows alongside whom I will connect my American perspectives with my experiences in France.”

⬤ From University of Mississippi, Major in Engineering
► To Université Grenoble Alpes, Master in Nanomedicine

Amber Cecil graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. During her undergraduate research, she investigated ionic liquids and polymeric nanoparticles, which sparked her passion for translational medical research. Through this work, she began exploring how these systems could enhance drug delivery, including their potential to cross the blood–brain barrier. This experience shaped her academic interests and inspired her to pursue innovative strategies for targeted drug delivery to the brain. She is especially motivated to apply nanotechnology to develop more effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and improve outcomes for vulnerable patient populations.

“The Lafayette Fellowship means I have access to education I would not have had otherwise. It is allowing me to step beyond the limits of where I come from and grow in a new environment.”

⬤ From Yale University, Major in Cognitive Science
► To PSL-Paris School of AI, Master in Artificial Intelligence and Society

Stella is a graduating senior at Yale University, majoring in Cognitive Science and Education Studies. She is passionate about AI literacy, especially for children, and hopes to spend her career thinking about how we can help young learners understand what AI is, how it works, and how to engage with it responsibly. She hopes France and the United States, two nations at the forefront of AI regulation and educational reform, can learn from each other in building frameworks that prioritize children’s digital futures, and is eager to help lead this cross-cultural collaboration.

“To me, the Lafayette Fellowship is an invitation to think beyond borders. The most important questions —like how we raise the next generation alongside AI— don’t belong to any one country. They belong to all of us.”

⬤ From Harvard University, Major in Social Studies
► To University of Strasbourg, Master in Human Rights Law

Eva Frazier is a recent graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Social Studies Honors, Ethnicity, Migration & Rights, and French. Interested in transnational histories of national security policies and human rights, she completed her senior thesis on the impact of French counterinsurgency in Algeria. As a Lafayette Fellow, she will continue to study the longevity of French state of emergency laws while earning her Master’s in Human Rights Law at the University of Strasbourg. Hailing from Vermont, she is also a Truman Scholar.

“As a Lafayette Fellow, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue researching the relationships among French and American national security policy, human rights crises, and transnational solidarity. In France, I look forward to connecting with human rights activists, legal advocates, and the Lafayette cohort to envision a more just transatlantic future.”

⬤ From University of Virginia, Major in Systems Engineering
► To Sciences Po Climate School, Master in Ecological Transition, Risks, and Governance

Daniel Freedman is a Rodman Scholar at the University of Virginia studying Systems Engineering. His research, drawing on experience in government consulting and technology startups, develops generative agent-based models for industrial decarbonization and digital twins for grid modernization. Daniel first traveled to France in 2024 upon winning the Maas Prize for French art historical research. He spent the summer studying at Sciences Po, volunteering at a permaculture farm. As a Lafayette Fellow, he will join the inaugural cohort of Sciences Po’s Paris Climate School.

“To me, becoming a Lafayette Fellow means joining a community of leaders who are curious, eager to tackle hard problems, and passionate about leaving the world better than they found it.

⬤ From Oral Roberts University, Major in Business and International Relations
► To Université Paris Dauphine, Master in International Business

Grace Galvez is an MBA graduate with a dual degree in International Relations and Business from Oral Roberts University. Shaped by the values of resilience, service, purpose-driven leadership, and responsibility, she aspires to create lasting impact through opportunity and change. Her focus is on international engagement, education, and sustainable development, especially SDG 4. She is committed to designing and leading academic initiatives that connect students with global institutions in Paris and Geneva, fostering cultural immersion, leadership development, and global awareness.

“The Lafayette Fellowship is a defining space for leadership formation at its highest level, developing the academic grounding, discipline, and global awareness needed to lead with clarity, act with intention, and create impact across cultures and systems.”

⬤ From Stanford University, Major in Economics
► To HEC Paris, Master in International Business

Jaxon Gonzales is a senior at Stanford University studying economics. His inter ests lie at the intersection of policy and business, specifically in the technology and energy sectors. In the past, he has explored this intersection through research at Stanford, work at a European think tank, and management consulting. He hopes to use the Lafayette Fellowship to improve French-American collaboration on eco nomic and market policy in an increasingly globalized and digital world. In his free time, he runs a debate series called Bully Pulpit and plays guitar in a band on campus.

“I’m thrilled to participate in the inaugural cohort of Lafayette Fellows! In the face of such a delicate international climate, collaboration between France and the US is more necessary than ever, and I can’t wait to forge new relationships and understanding between the two countries’ economic policy.”

⬤ From University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Major in French and Linguistics
► To University of Strasbourg, Master in Science Politique

Juni Holtgrewe graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in French and Linguistics, with a minor in Italian. Since then, she has worked in the international nonprofit organization, Alliance Française Minneapolis/ St Paul, as Youth Programs Coordinator. At the University of Strasbourg, Juni plans to pursue the pathway “Savoirs sur l’écologie, le vivant et les sociétés”. Long term, she plans to work in an international environ mental cooperation.

“I am honored to have been chosen for the inaugural year of the Lafayette Fellowship. It is an incredible opportunity that will allow me to pursue higher education in France: something that I have worked hard to achieve and have dreamed of for years.”

⬤ From Tulane University, Major in Environmental Sciences and Computer Science
► To Université Paris Saclay, Master in Electrical Engineering

Zachary Hom is a recent graduate of Tulane University, where they studied earth science and computer science with a minor in electrical engineering. Zachary’s academic interests center on sustainable power sys tems and the interdisciplinary challenges of the clean energy transition. Drawing on experience in geophysics research and renewable energy engineering, Zachary explores how technical innovation, policy, and infrastructure intertwine. Their work includes geothermal prospectivity research in Louisiana and performance engineering for solar and wind systems. Zachary aims to bridge engineering and international collaboration to advance scalable, equitable energy solutions worldwide.

“Participating in the Lafayette Fellowship means that my ideas and perspectives to accelerate the clean energy transition are amplified on an international scale, empowering me to connect innovation with diplomacy and collaborate across borders to turn ambitious climate goals into actionable, globally- informed energy solutions.”

⬤ From University of California, Santa Barbara, Major in Economics and Environmental Studies
► To Toulouse School of Economics, Master in Public Policy and Development/Applied Economics

Driven by a commitment to data-informed policy, Matthieu Huy is a Research Assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, collaborating with economists on macroeconomic policy and academic research. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, where he was involved in the Environmental Markets Lab, work that culminated in a recent Journal of Environmental Justice publication documenting U.S. carceral facilities’ exposure to environmental hazards. Matthieu plans to prepare for a career in impactful public policy.

“Navigating today’s complex social, environmental, and economic crises requires unwavering faith in international collaboration. This fellowship empowers me to explore my Francophone identity alongside visionary peers and mentors who share my deep commitment to global cooperation and evidence-based policy at a time when cross-border solutions are needed more than ever.”

⬤ From University of Washington – Seattle, Major in French and Neuroscience
► To Université Paris Cité, Master in Cognitive Science

Hunter Jung is a senior at the University of Washington, studying Neuroscience, French, and Global Health. Inspired by her mother’s experience as a refugee of the Vietnam War, and her late grandfather’s battle with Parkinson’s disease, she is interested in how neurological care is impacted by culture and access. Her research explores the legacy of French colonial medicine and its impact on contemporary health systems. At Université Paris-Cité and Sorbonne, Hunter will pursue a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience with the goal of becoming a physician serving franco phone communities, through global health and humanitarian work.

“My family’s story began on a boat, and the Lafayette Fellowship allows me to continue that journey by engaging with French and francophone communities through medicine. This exciting experience is an opportunity to learn from different cultures and carry those lessons forward into my future career as a physician.”

⬤ From Kansas State University, Major in Physics and International & Area Studies
► To Aix-Marseille University, Master in Fundamental Physics and Applications

Jeremy Kamman graduated from Kansas State University in 2024 with a B.S. in Physics and International and Area Studies. Jeremy is a second-year Fulbright Fellow at University Goce Delcev in Shtip, North Macedonia. At K-State, he was a Justice of Student Tribunal, a James R. Macdonald Laser Laboratory researcher, and founded the physics club. Dedicated to preventing abuses of technology, Jeremy is in the Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction and created the Gone in a Flash lecture series.

“Dr. Alain Aspect’s work inspired me as a child, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to learn from his contemporaries and contribute to French academia. With a 250-year-old legacy of Franco American scientific innovation, I aim to continue our nations’ tradition of utilizing physics to solve global challenges.”

⬤ From Washington University in St. Louis, Major in Finance and Management
► To Sciences Po Climate School, Master in Ecological Transition, Risks, and Governance

Katherine Kirchdorfer is a member of the Class of 2026 at Washington University in St. Louis with a BSBA in Finance and minor in Legal Studies. She served as a consultant in WashU’s Environmental Law Clinic, a research assistant in Organizational Behavior, a teaching assistant in Political Science, and on the student advisory board of the Philanthropy Lab Foundation. At Sciences Po Climate School, she will focus on the economic, social, political, and legal dimensions of climate change. Her academic interests include sustainable finance, environmental law and policy, and international relations.

“The Lafayette Fellowship presents an exceptional opportunity to study in France, a leader in global climate diplomacy, under Paris Climate School Dean Laurence Tubiana, architect of the Paris Agreement. I enthusiastically look forward to joining the Fellowship’s leadership programming, mentorship, and community to strengthen collaboration between the U.S. and France.”

⬤ From University of California, Santa Barbara, Major in History and Global Studies
► To University of Strasbourg, Master in International Relations

Enri Lala recently graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with majors in History and Global Studies and a minor in French. His research focuses on weapons technology development and their impact on civilian life. Enri will pursue these questions at the University of Strasbourg, which sits at the heart of European democracy, of which France is the defense leader. As his university’s former vice president and the founder of a media platform focused on Balkan issues, he possesses extensive experience in public service and cultural activism.

“Studying the French language and culture has fostered a strong connection to my European roots. This incredible opportunity deepens this bond while allowing me to pursue the pressing defense questions which will shape the future of the transatlantic relationship – which I hope to dedicate much of my career to strengthening.”

⬤ From Harvard University, Major in History and Literature
► To PSL-Paris Malaquais School of Architecture, Visiting Scholar in Urbanism and Architecture

Henry Lear is an urbanist committed to solving the housing crisis. Since graduating from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature, he has worked on housing policy issues in Atlanta, and was awarded a G.P. Garner Postgraduate Traveling Fellowship from Harvard, working on architecture and urbanism-related projects and in a hand-operated letterpress workshop in Buenos Aires. During his time in college, he wrote a thesis on redevelopment and aesthetic politics in 1970s San Francisco, led the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter’s transition to a long-term model as its Administrative Director, and studied abroad in Havana.

“French and U.S. cities are confronted by parallel housing crises, where unaffordability and dispos session are the norm. Solving these issues in tandem is the only way out. As a Lafeyette Fellow at PSL Malaquais, I’m ecstatic to learn from French urbanists, architects, and planners building more just urban systems.”

⬤ From University of Chicago, Major in French & Francophone Studies
► To ENS de Lyon, Master en Lettres Modernes

Ernest Leong is a fourth-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago completing a BA in Romance Languages & Literatures and an MA in Social Sciences. His work focuses on the literature and intellectual history of early modern France. At the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon he will work with members of the “Institut d’Histoire des Représentations et des Idées dans les Modernités,” before beginning his PhD in the department of French at the University of California, Berkeley. His research is complemented by his practice as a translator, with works ranging from contemporary Swiss short stories to early modern cultural treatises.

“It’s important to remember that individuals and their work are rooted in places, and that they have to travel—be it geographically, intellectually, or culturally—to reach others. The Lafayette Fellowship precisely allows for all those forms of travel, connects us to different academic traditions, and gives room for symbiotic exchange.”

⬤ From Tufts University – Fletcher School, Major in Public Health
► To University of Bordeaux, Master in Law for Innovation

As a dual-degree candidate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Université of Bordeaux, Isabella Long focuses on science diplomacy at the intersection of global health and international policy. With a public health background, her work explores how scientific collaboration can address transnational challenges. She has engaged in high-level policy discussions through the Schuman Challenge and Raisina Dialogue, contributing to debates on AI governance, health equity, and multilateral cooperation. Her research and advocacy center on leveraging diplomacy to advance inclusive, evidence-based solutions to the emerging issues of tomorrow.

“Being awarded the Lafayette Fellowship is an incredible honor that strengthens my commitment to transatlanticism. I am grateful for the opportunity to deepen U.S.–French collaboration, foster research partnerships, and contribute to a longstanding relationship grounded in shared values, innovation, and cooperation.”

⬤ From Smith College, Major in Comparative World Literatures
► To Université Grenoble Alpes, Master Urbanisme et Aménagement

AC is an emerging urban planner and recent graduate of Smith College with an interdisciplinary background bridging comparative literature, engineering, design-thinking, and geography. Through her work, she examines the interactions between people and the built environment, interrogating the policies, politics, design, and uses that shape shared space. Her professional experiences at Architecture for Public Benefit, Smith’s Campus Planning Office, and most recently Sasaki emphasize an approach to urban planning that is holistic, collaborative, and process-driven. In France, AC will study the role of public spaces in building social infrastructure as we respond to the critical challenges facing our com munities today.

“The Lafayette Fellowship presents an incredible opportunity to engage with urban planning in a cultural and political context that has long prioritized public space. Through collaboration and exposure to innovative practices in France, I aim to challenge and expand my expectations of what socially-driven planning can achieve.”

⬤ From University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Major in Aerospace Engineering and Physics
► To ISAE SUPAERO, Master in Aerospace Engineering

At the start of his undergraduate studies, Cole McCallum spent a summer learning French while being hosted by engineers in the Alps. Fascinated with their approach to life and their work, he found himself at CentraleSupélec, where he’d attend as their first visiting student from the University of Arkansas. Since then, he’s completed degrees in computational physics and mechanical/aerospace engineering, focusing on research using Computational Fluid Dynamics. As a student at ISAE-SUPAERO, he plans to engage with the French approach to aerospace engineering before pursuing his ultimate goal of uniting French and American engineers on projects accelerating humanity’s path forward.

“The work of a Lafayette Fellow is to learn how the differences between the U.S and France complement one another, and to recognize where this shared strength works to fulfill our ideals.”

⬤ From Columbia University, Major in Medical Humanities
► To ENS de Lyon, Master en Logique, Histoire et Philosophie des Sciences et des Technologies

Josephine O’Brien holds a B.A. in Medical Humanities from Columbia University and a B.A. in Political Humanities from Sciences Po. Her work explores how biotechnology is reshaping family formation. With a back ground in political organizing in New York City, she has worked in reproductive health advocacy and policy across the United States, France, and Bulgaria. As a Lafayette Fellow, she will conduct comparative research on French and American bioethical approaches to assisted reproductive technology.

“As a Lafayette Fellow, I’m grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in the social and political questions that drive my work. I’m looking forward to building relationships on both sides of the Atlantic that will shape my future work on health and family policy in New York City.”

⬤ From Stanford University, Major in Economics and Political Science
► To PSL-École Normale Supérieure, Master in Analysis and Policy Economics

Garry Piepenbrock is graduating from Stanford University with distinction and triple honors in economics, political science, and sustainable development. He developed a theory of the evolution of the global political economy for which he was awarded multiple research grants and which he has published and presented at international conferences. He has served as a Research Assistant at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), the Hoover Institution, the King Center on Global Development, the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and the Graduate School of Business. He will continue his research on inequality and sustainability at the Paris School of Economics.

“It is an honor to be a Lafayette Fellow, and I hope my research might strengthen the Franco-American relationship in solving the challenges of the 21st century in the same way that we brought liberal democracies to the world in the 18th century through the leadership of the Marquis de Lafayette.”

⬤ From University of Pennsylvania, Major in Urban Studies
► To Université Côte d’Azur, Master in Engineering for Smart Cities

Paris Rosen is an aspiring urban planner with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania where she studied Urban Studies and Design. Her background in design and community-centered work has shaped her passion for creating more livable and connected urban environments. As she pursues the MSc Engineers for Smart Cities program, she is focused on understanding how data, infrastructure, and emerging technologies can be integrated to improve urban systems and enhance the quality of life in cities. Her goal is to help shape urban environments that balance technological advancement with sustainability, equity, and community well-being.

“Being named after France’s capital city has always felt like a reminder that cities carry identity and meaning. As a Lafayette Fellow, I am eager to learn from France’s rich cultural, intellectual, and civic traditions, and to bring those perspectives into my work on cities, urban design, and communities.”

⬤ From University of West Florida, Major in Environmental Science
► To Université Côte d’Azur, Master in Environmental Hazards and Risks Management

Elisabetta Savini is a graduate of the University of West Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and completed the Honors Program. She is dedicated to cross-cultural engagement, shaped by her Italian-American heritage. As a 2025 U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship recipient in Portuguese, she served as a citizen diplomat advancing international understanding. Elisabetta’s academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of environmental governance and sustainable development, with a focus on terrestrial ecosystem services.

“Global challenges demand solutions grounded in international understanding, with cooperation at their core. As a Lafayette Fellow, I seek to advance the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States, translating environmental knowledge into tangible impact while engaging with the multidisciplinary community committed to meaningful, global change.”

⬤ From Spelman College, Major in Biology
► To University of Bordeaux, Master in Cancer Biology

Gabrielle Scales is a third-year student at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Gabrielle graduated summa cum laude, phi beta kappa from Spelman College. She served as a leader of the Penn SNMA (Student National Medical Association) and is a founding member of the Penn Black Student Surgical Society. She has co-authored research investigating genetic risk factors associated with breast density in women of African ancestry. Gabrielle also has a passion for mentoring and community service. In the future, she plans to pursue general surgery residency and looks forward to advocating for equitable care across diverse populations.

“I am absolutely honored to have been selected for the inaugural year of the Lafayette Fellowship. I welcome the chance to learn from some of France’s top leaders. This will be my first experience living abroad and I am excited to expand my educational experience and grow my leadership skills.”

⬤ From Rice University, Major in Philosophy
► To Sorbonne Université, Master de Philosophie en Esthétique et Philosophie de l’art

Alexander is a Rice University graduate and incoming master’s student at Sorbonne University, where he will continue his studies in philosophy, specializing in aesthetics and the philosophy of art. He is particularly interested in aesthetic phenomenology, hermeneutics, and the philosophy of culture, and aims to research the affective structures through which meaning-confer ring cultural forms are aesthetically engaged. After completing his degree, he will attend Harvard Law School, where he plans to study international and comparative law.

“For me, participating in the Lafayette Fellowship marks an extraordinary opportunity to directly enter the French intellectual traditions that have shaped my work, all while contributing to deepening the exchange of ideas between France and the United States that made me fall in love with philosophy in the first place.”

⬤ From Middlebury College, Major in Architecture and Political Science
► To PSL-École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, Visiting Student

Benjamin Sindell is an aspiring architect and designer shaped by experiences living and studying in France, Japan, and the United States. A graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, where he majored in Political Science and Architectural Studies, he approaches design as a form of storytelling grounded in social and cultural contexts. As a Japanese-American and longtime resident of Ariège, France, he seeks to build a future shaped by the multiculturalism that has defined his own life. Benjamin has studied at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris and hopes to continue engaging with the rigor of French design at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs.

“For me, being part of the Lafayette Fellowship means engaging deeply with France’s deep commitment to culture, artistic expression, and political thought. These values have profoundly shaped the way I learn and see the world, and I feel genuinely compelled to share those values with my American peers.”

⬤ From The University of Texas San Antonio, Major in Psychology and Neuroscience
► To Aix-Marseille University, Master in Neuroscience

Ana Vallejo is a University of Texas at San Antonio Honors alumni, Top Scholar, Boren Scholar, and researcher with degrees in Neuroscience, Psychology, and French. As a polyglot academic, Ana taught French at the International School of San Antonio, served as UTSA French Club President, worked as a French teaching assistant, and studied in France, Italy, and the U.K. Under the prestigious Boren scholarship, Ana also spent a semester in Dakar, Senegal. Through the Lafayette Fellowship, Ana will continue her research in neuropsychology with a specialty in neurodegenerative diseases.

“The Lafayette Fellowship not only symbolizes the culmination of the past 15 years I have studied French language and culture but will also catalyze my career as an international researcher. I hope this monumental opportunity will only mark the beginning of my contributions to the Franco-American relationship.”

⬤ From University of California – Berkeley, Major in Cognitive Science
► To PSL-Paris School of AI, Master in Artificial Intelligence and Society

Sophia holds a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science and data science from the University of California, Berkeley, graduating summa cum laude. As a Research Assistant, Sophia has worked on data collection, database development, and Python-based analysis. In addition to acquiring technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence methods, she aspires to become a researcher and leader in policy development and the transnational coordination of efforts to promote the ethical deployment of AI globally. A lover of the arts, she is an accomplished painter, musician, and ballet dancer.

“My goal is to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is developed safely, equitably, and in service of all nations. As a Lafayette Fellow, I will build the expertise and leadership skills necessary to advance this work internationally. I’m deeply honored to have this opportunity at such a pivotal moment in history.”