At flok, we recognize the significant hurdles inherited metabolic conditions present, and celebrate the triumphs of those achieving their academic, personal, and career dreams despite these obstacles. Since its inception in 1997, our Guthrie-Koch Scholarship program has financially supported over 120 individuals on their higher education journey. The scholarship is named to honor Dr. Robert Guthrie, who invented the newborn screening for phenylketonuria in 1961 and Dr. Richard Koch, who spent his career investigating treatments for PKU. Both advocated tirelessly for the implementation of newborn screenings nationwide. Early detection of inherited conditions of protein metabolism plays a critical role in diagnosis and treatment, and helps those born with these conditions avoid severe neurological impairment. The groundbreaking efforts of these two physicians sparked scientific development of screening programs for more than 60 other inherited disorders and enable members of our community to lead full, productive lives.
flok's 2024 scholarship program welcomed applicants with Classical HCU, MSUD, Organic Acidemias, PKU, Tyrosinemia, and Urea Cycle Disorders. Our newest scholarship awardees will join the ranks of the growing Guthrie-Koch Fellowship, a program spearheaded by flok board member and Guthrie-Koch scholar Jacqueline Kellish. The program seeks to unite past and present scholars to facilitate mentorship and peer connection across ages and conditions.
This year’s recipients are an outstanding group of students who demonstrate solid character, academic excellence, leadership, and strong advocacy within their communities. While diverse in their backgrounds, skills, and pursuits, the 2024 Guthrie-Koch scholars share a common thread: each awardee strives to improve the world around them. From educators to healthcare providers to technological innovators, these awardees have big career dreams underscored by a vision for a better tomorrow. Join us in congratulating the following recipients of the 2024 Guthrie-Koch Scholarship:
KEIRA ALLISON
Growing up in Pennsylvania, Keira excelled as a varsity and All-American Diver, pole-vaulter, National Junior Honor Society member, and school student council and government association member. She credits her work ethic to the perseverance needed to manage her condition effectively – “PKU can lead to many mental and physical complications, so it has required me to be very disciplined and has made me an empathetic and strong person.”
Currently a rising sophomore at the University of Delaware, Keira competes as a Division 1 diver and coaches a children’s swim and dive team. Inspired by the dedicated medical providers at her PKU clinic, Keira is inspired to pursue a career in the medical field. She majors in nursing and plans to become a nurse anesthetist.
ISA BATISTA
Throughout her youth, Isa took an active role in her local church as a leader of the church choir, a teacher’s assistant for youth church members, and as an interpreter. Isa balanced her various church leadership roles and school academics while navigating Glutaric Acidemia Type 2, an Organic Acidemia.
Isa will attend Lasell University this fall to study psychology. Motivated by her own journey managing a complex metabolic disorder as an adolescent, she plans to pursue a career in child psychology to provide mental health support to others. “Living with a metabolic disorder is a journey of discovery. We may feel disappointment in the midst of it all, but never lose infinite hope.”
VINCENT BROWN
Vincent developed an early passion for music, playing the drums in his Pennsylvania school marching band, concert band, jazz band, and singing in choir and musicals. He also served as an Eagle Scout, a community volunteer, and a member of the National Honors Society, Science Honor Society, and Thespian Honors Society.
This fall, Vincent will attend the University of Pittsburgh Frederick Honors College to pursue a major in biochemistry. He attributes his scientific interest to growing up with PKU – “PKU comes with a challenging lifestyle, but breakthroughs by brilliant people have made being myself possible. This is what lead me to biochemistry, what I consider to be the science of ‘us.’ The curiosity of others is what has saved me, so I will always be striving to learn something new.” Vincent aspires to become a researcher in the medical field to study genetics and gene therapy.
DAVID MAIMON
David grew up in New Jersey with a zeal for technology, rare disease advocacy, and dance. He created an iOS app that instantly notifies students of grade updates, served as a rare disease advocate for the Everylife Foundation lobbying Congress to pass the Medical Nutrition Equity Act, and is a national champion in Latin ballroom dance. David also created and distributed a mini documentary about pursuing his dreams while managing PKU.
This fall he will attend Duke University for an engineering degree and aims to advance artificial intelligence and machine learning in the rare disease space. "In terms of opportunities my PKU has presented, I believe sharing a unique perspective and educating others on a community they might not have known otherwise is important. The chance to improve my life and community because of my PKU experience is exciting and gives me a sense of purpose in life."
JOSEPH PEREZ
Hailing from Florida, Joseph developed a passion for meteorology and aviation. He served as a member of his high school aerospace engineering club that competed annually in the NASA Student Astronaut Challenge at the Kennedy Space Center, medaling in the shuttle landing competition. Joseph also was a member of a men’s leadership group and volunteered at several local non-profits serving disadvantaged community members. His advocacy work extends to the PKU community, as he lobbied on Capitol Hill for federal insurance coverage of medical formula.
Joseph will attend Tallahassee Community College in the fall for an associate degree before transferring to a university to study meteorology. He also plans to earn a pilot’s license. Joseph credits his ambition and optimistic outlook to growing up with PKU, which taught him to find the positive in all challenges – “The grass is greener where you water it.”
ILLYANA SCHNEIDERMAN
Growing up in Wisconsin, Illyana developed an early interest in childhood development and a passion for education. She works in the childcare center of her town’s YMCA, volunteers at an elementary school, and participates in an annual Polar Plunge event to raise funds for a local education program. Illyana also serves her community working at the local bakery and as a student mentor at her high school.
Illyana begins her first year at Western Washington University this fall pursuing an education degree to become a teacher. Despite the adversity of achieving her dream while managing both PKU and type 1 diabetes, she says, “I am grateful for my medical conditions because through these unique difficult experiences, I was able to become who I am today and challenge myself to become more than a diagnosis.”
WILL SINGLETARY
Born with PKU, Will attributes his optimism and work ethic to living with and managing a metabolic condition. He translated the discipline required to follow a strict PKU diet to academics and extra-curricular activities, excelling on his high school swim and dive team, water polo team, and performing violin in the school symphony orchestra. Will also advocates for the broader PKU community, having spoken on a panel at the NPKUA Conference and lobbying Congress on Capitol Hill for federal medical nutrition coverage.
Will starts his first year at Colorado School of Mines in the fall, where he plans to study mechanical engineering. Reflecting on his journey and pursuits, Will is grateful for the lessons PKU has taught him and the doors it has opened. “Without PKU, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to speak at the NPKUA Conference, attend Camp Phever, or inspire people to see beyond their limitations.”
DAI WEI
Dai Wei grew up in Shanghai, China, where individuals with PKU have limited access to specialists and support. Drawing from his own experience, he created a virtual Phenylketonuria Information and Mutual Assistance Platform to provide nutritional and caregiving advice to families throughout China – a role he is committed to for the foreseeable future.
In addition to his PKU advocacy and support work, Dai coordinated his high school math club, created a bilingual school magazine, and established an academic clinic to tutor other students. Now in his second year of study at the University of Hong Kong, Dai majors in economics with a double minor in political science and global health. He plays badminton, tennis, and is vice president of a university-based organization that oversees volunteer programs. Dai shares, “PKU is an inseparable part of my identity, and I aspire to devote my life to helping those in need.”
The application window for a 2025 Guthrie-Koch Scholarship opens this fall. Sign up for the flok newsletter to receive future communications about the application process and other scholarship opportunities available in the coming year. If you are a past recipient of a Guthrie-Koch Fellowship grant, please reach out to [email protected] so we can continue building our alumni network and notify you of upcoming fellowship events.
