Purdue University’s Milad Alucozai has been chosen as one of only 12 U.S. students to receive the nationally prestigious Mitchell Scholarship for graduate study in Ireland. He is Purdue’s first Mitchell Scholarship recipient. To win this award, Alucozai proved extraordinary commitment to scholarship, leadership and community service.

Alucozai was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and holds a degree in brain and behavioral science, a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and a minor in political science. He is a graduate of Purdue’s University Honors Program and the College of Health and Human Sciences, and has worked in labs and volunteered in groups all across campus. He currently lives in West Lafayette and is a research assistant in Purdue’s Interfacial Multiphysics Lab with Vikas Tomar, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics.

Outside of the classroom, Alucozai has been actively engaged in undergraduate research. He has worked at multiple facilities, co-authored abstracts, papers, and presented at conferences in the United States and overseas. He initially was introduced to Dr. Tomar’s Multiphysics Lab in early 2013.

Dr. Tomar’s lab investigates the role of interfaces in understanding microstructure dependent failure of materials. While it may seem atypical that a science-based student is working in a lab filled with engineers, Milad believes his undergraduate research experience has taught him it’s less critical to work on a specific linear topic, and more important to find the right environment and mentor. Milad says, “Dr. Tomar encourages an environment of open dialogue, mutual respect, and most importantly empathy. He takes the time to get to know each of us and understand our strengths and weaknesses. It is undeniable that his well-established lab, senior members, and his personal mentorship are the reasons to why we have done so well. Outside of our lab work, he met frequently with me and encouraged me to apply for the Mitchell Scholarship.”

In the lab, Alucozai led a project that focused on investigating the relationship of cell surface and substrate interface interactions and relating them to cell stiffness using a novel technology developed by Dr. Tomar called Nanomechanical Raman Spectroscopy. Milad led the weekly meetings, designed the experiments, and prepared materials for testing with the help of postdoc Dr. Fernando Pastrana.

Alucozai also worked closely with fellow students in the lab on their projects. One collaboration included working with Tao Qu to study interfacial interactions on deformation mechanism in biomaterial and polymer composite interfaces. Additionally, Alucozai and Hongsuk Lee investigated grain boundary embrittlement induced failure in polycrystalline refractory Tungsten alloys. Milad says, “I’m leaving the lab with multiple submitted papers, confidence in my ability to become a medical scientist, and life-long friends from the School of AAE that I will continue to stay in touch with.”

Alucozai strives to be a unique blend of scientist, entrepreneur and humanitarian. He has continually sought global discourse on health care, traveling to Nepal, Colombia and Ethiopia for science-based, humanitarian purposes. He has invented four technologies, is involved in numerous startups, and has received two of Purdue’s Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Innovator Awards. Alucozai was co-founder and director of Project Heart, a global non-profit that was a featured project at the Clinton Global Initiative University Conference. He was also the president and co-founder of Purdue’s Chapter of the Roosevelt Institute, an organization that promotes a millennial voice in pressing domestic issues.

The knowledge Alucozai gains in Ireland will develop his career as a medical scientist and policymaker with a focus in mental health.

“I would like to spend my life making mental health an international priority. I see my future acting as a liaison to governments, creating and implementing health policy, and identifying methods of bringing affordable treatment through cutting-edge technology to the world,” said Alucozai, who plans to enter the graduate program at National University of Ireland Maynooth where he will build on his scientific background for a graduate degree in immunology and global health.

Competing for prestigious scholarships also requires a commitment from the university, said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. President Daniels has enhanced university support for students pursuing national and international scholarships and prioritized increasing awareness of those opportunities.

During the past 18 months, Purdue’s Honors College and National and International Scholarships Office (NISO) have strengthened these efforts in a number of ways. NISO’s robust program navigates the path toward prestigious scholarships by working with faculty, offering information sessions and activity-based workshops, and providing individual advising to students with strong academic credentials and leadership qualities that extend far beyond the classroom.

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to Ireland. Though the financial value of a Mitchell Scholarship is substantial, the real prize is the global opportunities it affords.

Photos: top: Dr. Vikas Tomar (left) and Milad Alucozai (right). bottom: Milad Alucozai

Content regarding Mitchell Scholarship from Purdue University Press Release, at: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q4/milad-alucozai-purdues-first-mitchell-scholarship-winner.html

More information including Mitchell Scholarship recipients, biographies, and press release from U.S. Ireland Alliance can be found at: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/content/618/en/Scholarships/Program%20News/Class%20of%202016%20Mitchell%20Scholars%20Selected.html

For more information on School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Dr. Vikas Tomar’s Interfacial Multiphysics Laboratory, visit: http://www.interfacialmultiphysics.com/