Morse Scholars
2025 Morse Scholars
Danielle Morgan
My name is Danielle Morgan, and I am from Kingston, Jamaica. I graduated from Thomas Jefferson Highschool in Tampa FL and am studying computer science on a premed track. I aspire to be a forensic pathologist that uses technology to innovate and explore the medical field. I am so excited for all the amazing opportunities UF has to offer over these next 4 years!
Preksha Saha
Hello, my name is Preksha Saha, I am 17 years old currently and a freshman at the University of Florida. I recently graduated from Fort Myers High School and have gotten both my GED and IB diploma. I am currently majoring in Biochemistry on the pre-med track. I aspire to get into medical school and graduate with a MD after my undergraduate years and eventually become a psychiatrist or neurosurgeon while opening my own clinic. Some of my hobbies are playing video games such as Minecraft, reading, swimming, painting, or drawing etc. I am thankful for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to meet my fellow peers and explore the campus + other opportunities!
DJ Rivera
My name is Diego Rivera, and I am from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. I am majoring in psychology and planning to do a minor in communications. My dream is to be a public speaker and hold conferences around the world based on my studies and life experiences. I am the Co-Host of “The Above & Under Podcast”. It is a podcast focused on spiritual and personal growth for different life-based situations. In my free time I like to play basketball, go to the gym, and be with friends.
Ian Sikic
My name is Ian Hammans Sikic, and I am from Fayetteville, Arkansas. I graduated from Haas Hall Academy and am currently a freshman here at the University of Florida, majoring in Biology on the Pre-Med track with hopes of adding a second major in French and Franciphone Studies. I hope to attend medical school to become a surgeon whose main priority is underserved communities. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, swimming, playing soccer, and playing board games with friends. Go Gators!
2024 Morse Scholars
Hannah Alley
My name is Hannah Alley, and I am from Daytona Beach, Florida. I graduated from Seabreeze High School with my AICE Diploma and my AP Capstone Diploma. I am currently majoring in Biochemistry and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track. I want to be either an OBGYN with an MD-PhD or a neonatologist physician-scientist specializing in maternal-fetal medicine. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and shows with my friends and family and being able to travel.
Ioannis Michalakelis
My name is Ioannis Michalakelis, and I’m from Samos, Greece. I graduated from West Boca Raton high school. I’m majoring in Biology on a pre-dental track, and I aspire to be an orthodontist with the dream of opening my own practice. In my free time I enjoy drawing characters from movies, going to the gym and watching shows.
Allison Perez
My name is Allison Perez and I’m from Miami, FL. I recently graduated from Hialeah Gardens High School and I am now a first year student here majoring in Psychology Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience on a pre-med track. I’m hoping to become a psychiatrist or maybe a pediatrician! Besides being interested in the medical field, I also love to dance, sing, read, watch movies, and hangout with my friends. I’m so excited for my next four years at UF!
Nevaeh Stohl
Hello! My name is Nevaeh Stohl and I’m from Ocala Florida and I’m attending UF as a biochemistry major. I have hopes of attending medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. Two of my main goals while attending UF is to get involved with research and inclusivity initiatives. I can’t wait for what the next four years have in store!
2023 Morse Scholars
Desiny Barlow
My name is Desiny Barlow, and I am from Ocala, Florida. I graduated from West Port High School while dual enrolled and receiving my Associates of Arts degree from the College of Central Florida. I am majoring in Behavioral and Cognitive neuroscience on a pre-med track, and I aspire to become a neurosurgeon. In my free time I enjoy writing poetry, listening to music, and journaling.
Jacob Maytin
My name is Jacob Maytin and I am from Miami, Florida where I graduated from Coral Reef Senior High School. I am currently a freshman at the University of Florida pursuing a major in pre-professional biology on a pre-med track. With this major I hope to attend medical school to follow my passion in becoming a neurologist or anesthesiologist. My hobbies include playing sports with friends, watching drama-filled shows and movies, and hanging out with friends and family. So excited for my next four years here at UF!
Rosey Nguyen
My name is Rosey Nguyen and I am from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I graduated from Charles W. Flanagan High School. I am currently a first-gen freshman at the University of Florida, majoring in pre-professional biology on the pre-med track, hoping to one day specialize in dermatology. That aside, my interests include reading, drawing, word games, and really just enjoying a good laugh with my friends and family.
Ava Wilke
My name is Ava Wilke. I graduated from Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Florida. I’m now in my first year at the University of Florida, majoring in pre-professional biology on the pre-med track. Alongside my major, I’m actively pursuing minors in pathogenesis and anthropology. My ultimate goal is to attend medical school and embark on a career either in forensic pathology or orthopedic surgery. Beyond academics, I enjoy playing volleyball, watching movies, reading, and spending quality time with friends. Go Gators!
Daniella Zamora
My name is Daniella Zamora and I’m a first-generation student coming to UF from Miami, Florida. I’m majoring in Microbiology and Cell science on the pre-med track as I am aspiring to become a dermatologist. Outside of class I enjoy serving my community, trying new things, and going out with my friends. I am so thrilled to spend these next four years at UF!.
2022 Morse Scholars
Ameerah Balogun
My name is Ameerah Balogun, and I am from Miami, Florida where I graduated from the School for Advanced Studies. I am a part of the Class of 2026 at the University of Florida as a Biology major on a pre-med track. I am pursuing medicine to fulfill my aspiration of becoming a Pediatric Oncologist. My passions outside of science are writing and public speaking and I hope to incorporate them into my future career and experience as a student. A fun fact about me is that I am in love with the sport volleyball, and I am always compelled to play whenever I spot a volleyball net. I am looking forward to working towards my goals as a pre-med student and I aim to learn and grow during my time as a Morse Scholar.
Priyanka Harrypersad
My name is Priyanka Harrypersad, and I am 18 years old from Orlando, Florida. I am majoring in women’s studies on the pre-med track and either want to become a neurosurgeon or OBGYN. I love cooking food and watching Kdramas. I am so excited to be here at UF!
2021 Morse Scholars
Janae Hodge
I am Janae Hodge, a graduate from Leesburg High School in Leesburg, Florida. I am a chemistry and zoology major at the University of Florida, class of 2025. I am on the pre-med track with aspirations of a career in anesthesiology.
Malana Jackson
My name is Malana Jackson, and I am an 18-year-old from Daytona Beach, FL. I am an incoming freshman majoring in Chemistry on the pre-medical track. I recently graduated from Mainland High School 3rd in my class and received my Associate of Arts degree with honors. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I plan to go to medical school to become a pediatrician. I enjoy reading new books, music, and baking tasty treats.
Emory Ranes
My name is Emory Ranes, and my Inupiaq name is Yiyuk. I am from Anchorage, Alaska and my family is from Kotzebue, Alaska. I am wearing my traditional regalis: an Atikluk. I came to Florida because I believed I would have better opportunities to pursue my passion for medicine.
Manaal Zulfiqar
My name is Manaal Zulfiqar. I am a freshman at the University of Florida and planning to major in Microbiology and Cell science. I’m pre-health and want to pursue dentistry in the future. In my free time I like to read, swim, and cook. A couple strengths I have gained over time through education and life experiences are resilience and compassion. My greatest accomplishment to date is my volunteer experience at the radiology department at AdventHealth Hospital which has inspired and motivated me to stay focused on my pre-health aspirations.