The merit-based scholarship recognizes a standout sophomore in Arts & Sciences who is preparing for a career in science.
Rising junior Saara Engineer has been named the 2025 Florence Moog Scholar. The merit-based scholarship recognizes a multidisciplinary sophomore in Arts & Sciences who is preparing for a science career and shows excellence beyond the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Engineer is majoring in neuroscience in the Department of Biology and minoring in women, gender, and sexuality studies. She is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Dr. Albert Kim, the August A. Busch Jr. Professor of Neurological Surgery at the School of Medicine. She is part of a project looking at ways to improve the identification of tumor-associated macrophages and microglia in the brain tumor environment.
“I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Kim and my mentor, neurosurgery resident Dr. David Giles, for their unwavering support,” Engineer said.
at the Summer Poster Session for the Leah Menshouse Springer
Summer Opportunities Program in August 2024.
(Credit: Courtesy of Engineer)
Since November 2024, Engineer has served as the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in the Student Union Senate. In this role, she led efforts to help reform the mental health crisis response on campus, advocated for the creation of a Native American and Indigenous Studies Department, and supported dining workers’ rights and well-being.
She currently works as a health policy intern at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center (St. Louis County Jail), where she supports Medicaid expansion and substance use treatment efforts. She’s also involved with Advocates for Youth, where she engages in reproductive justice advocacy and training.
An avid reader, Engineer enjoys hiking and spending time in nature.
The Florence Moog Scholarship is named for Dr. Florence Moog, a biology professor at WashU until her retirement in 1984. Moog was named the Charles Rebstock Professor in 1974 and served as biology department chair from 1975 to 1977. The scholarship provides half-tuition for the recipient's junior and senior years.
René Esparza, Engineer’s advisor in women, gender, and sexuality studies, praised Engineer’s ability to blend science and the humanities. “Her interdisciplinary work reflects the spirit of the Moog Scholarship, combining a deep curiosity about neuroscience with a critical interest in the social and cultural dimensions of care, equity, and justice,” he said. “She brings an ethical awareness and intellectual maturity that make her a standout student and a fitting recipient of this honor.
