The Vaya Stergiou Distinguished Scholarship in Biomechanics is a scholarship founded in memory of the Founding Chair’s mother, who was unable to pursue a college education herself but worked tirelessly to ensure her children had the opportunity to receive a college education.
Each year, a Biomechanics junior or senior is nominated to receive the Vaya Stergiou Distinguished Scholarship in Biomechanics and receives $500 to help fund their education.
Questions? Please contact unobiomechanics@unomaha.edu
Previous scholarship recipients
2024-2025 recipient: Tyler Salanoa
Tyler will graduate in May 2025 and plans to attend medical school to become a physician. He is leaning towards a career in surgery and hopes to utilize his background in biomechanics to better diagnose and treat biomechanical pathologies in patients. He also hopes to continue working in clinical research, contributing to the growing body of medical literature. Tyler worked as a research assistant in the Biomechanics Research Building in 2020 and most recently works as a medical and research assistant at Gold Clinic. He served as Elders Quarum President and served as a missionary in North Carolina and Ecuador. In his free time he enjoys playing music and teaches private guitar lessons.
2023-2024 recipient: Libby Caldwell
Libby will graduate in May 2024 and plans to apply to graduate school. Her long-term goal is to work in academia as a professor and develop her own research program exploring mechanically biomimetic biomaterials and medical devices. Libby received a UNO FUSE grant under the supervision of Dr. Kaspars Maleckis, works as an undergraduate research assistant in the Biomechanics Research Building, and provides tutoring.
2022-2023 recipient: Luke Partusch
Luke graduated in Spring 2023 and hopes to become an Athletic Trainer in the future. Luke completed a FUSE project under the supervision of Dr. Brian Knarr, works at Injury Prevention & Care in the UNO Wellness Center, and is involved in Society of Aspiring Physical & Occupational Therapists and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
2021-2022 recipient: Johanna Bustamante-Salgado
Johanna is a first-generation student that graduated in Spring of 2022. Throughout her time at UNO, she worked as a research assistant on Dr. Marmelat's team while simultaneously working outside of campus. She plans on pursuing a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Biomechanics and working in the industry, helping create and optimize prosthetic and medical devices.
2020-2021 recipient: Sara Sternberger
Sara plans to work in research on specific disorders that inhibit motor function, especially in children.
2019-2020 recipient: Ciera Sanwick
Ciera graduated from the Biomechanics program in Spring 2020. She is a first-generation college student that worked full-time throughout the course of her college career. She worked as an undergraduate research assistant on Dr. Nate Hunt's research team. Ciera plans to go into industry work and help continue the advancement of running shoes and gear to help runners get the best comfort and performance available
2018-2019 recipient: Ian Sloan
Ian graduated from the Biomechanics program in Spring 2020. He dreamed of going into orthopedics since he was in middle school. He worked as an undergraduate research assistant on Dr. Nick Stergiou's research team and was responsible for assisting with the running shoe analyses. Ian is now enrolled in the Accelerated Nursing program through Nebraska Methodist College.
2017-2018 recipient: Claudia Cortes Reyes
Claudia graduated from the Biomechanics program in Fall 2018. She is a first-generation college student whose family immigrated to the United States. She worked as an undergraduate research assistant on Dr. Jorge Zuniga's research team. She remained at UNO to pursue her Master's degree in Biomechanics and is now enrolled in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program through the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
2016-2017 recipient: Samantha Sack
Samantha graduated from the Biomechanics program in Spring 2019. She double majored in Biomechanics and Biomedical Biology. She worked as an undergraduate research assistant on Dr. Brian Knarr's research team. She received the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship and was a Fulbright Scholar. She is currently enrolled in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University.
2015-2016 recipient: Allison Kalina
Allison graduated from the Biomechanics program in Spring 2017 and was one of the first graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Biomechanics program. She worked as an undergraduate research assistant on Dr. Nick Stergiou's research team and was responsible for assisting with the running shoe analysis.