Two University of Iowa graduate students have been awarded funding to pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects that empower women and girls.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded American Fellowships to Ana-Monica Racila, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in medical anthropology at the UI, and Serena Gumusoglu, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in neuroscience.

AAUW is one of the world’s oldest leading supporters of graduate women’s education. Since 1888, it has awarded more than $115 million in fellowships, grants and awards to 13,000 recipients from more than 145 countries. For the 2019–20 academic year, AAUW awarded more than $4 million in fellowships and grants to about 260 scholars, research projects and programs promoting education and equity for women and girls.

To find out more about this year’s exceptional class of awardees, visit the online directory.