Tag: truman scholar

National Scholar Elizabeth Caldwell graduated with a degree in genetics in May 2025 and is headed to Yale University for a master’s degree in public health.

Since her freshman year, Caldwell has worked with Michael Sehorn, associate professor of genetics and biochemistry, focusing on DNA damage repair pathways in various disorders, including a rare immunodeficiency disease. Her passion stems from her own underresearched disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Her love for research led her to the highly selective pediatric oncology education program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the summers of 2023 and 2024, where she researched rare, cancerous mutations related to leukemia. On campus, Caldwell founded the Tigers 4 Accessibility club and volunteered at the Clemson Free Clinic.

Caldwell has been named a Truman Scholar and has received Clemson’s Norris Medal, the Matt Locke Leadership Award, the College of Science Outstanding Senior in Science Award, the Riley Institute’s Upstate Diversity Leadership Award, Dr. William Marcotte Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award and the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry Outstanding Senior in Genetics Award.

Genetics senior and Honors student Elizabeth Caldwell has been awarded the 2025 Clemson University Norris Medal.

The Norris Medal has been awarded since 1908 and was established under the terms of the will of the Honorable D.K. Norris, a life trustee at Clemson. The medal is given each year to a graduating student who, on the basis of exceptional scholastic achievement and leadership ability, is judged by the University Scholarships and Awards Committee to be the best all-around student. Recipients of the Norris Medal have their names affixed to a bronze plaque located in Hendrix Student Center.

Elizabeth was also a 2024 Truman Scholarship recipient and a member of the 2021 National Scholars Program cohort. She co-founded and is the president of the Clemson University Tigers 4 Accessibility, a student organization dedicated to improving accessibility, awareness and acceptance for people with disabilities. In addition, Elizabeth is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity and is a student representative on the University’s Accessibility Commission.

During her undergraduate degree, she has been involved in Dr. Michael Sehorn’s lab focusing on DNA repair pathways with implications for genetic disease. In the summer of 2024, Elizabeth was a Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program intern at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which allows students to conduct world-class laboratory research while exploring pediatric oncology’s clinical side.

After graduating, Elizabeth will pursue a master’s degree in public health at Yale University.

In April Elizabeth Caldwell, genetics major and National Scholar, was named a 2024 Truman Scholar, recognized for her commitment to raising accessibility awareness and ambition to influence health care policy related to her rare disease research. 

The Truman Scholarship, named in honor of the late U.S. President Harry S. Truman, is given to high-achieving college students who show commitment to public service and potential to continue that service beyond graduation.

Elizabeth is Clemson’s fifth recipient of the Truman Scholarship in 42 years and is the only student in South Carolina to receive the honor this year. She will receive up to $30,000 for graduate study, leadership training, career counseling and other opportunities within the federal government. 

Originally from Hendersonville, TN, Elizabeth has been involved with the Accessibility Commission, Phi Delta Epsilon, the ASC Peer Tutoring Program, and the Clinical Undergraduate Research Experience in Surgery (CURES) course. In addition, she co-founded Tigers 4 Accessibility, Clemson’s only club that focuses on students with disabilities. Their mission is to increase inclusivity and accessibility on campus and within the greater Clemson community.

After falling in love with research while working in Dr. Michael Sehorn’s lab, Elizabeth decided to pursue a Dual Departmental Honors in G&B to culminate her research experiences into a thesis and solidify her findings. She hopes to integrate research into her future career as a physician and the departmental honors program has allowed her to build the skills necessary to succeed.

After graduation, Elizabeth plans to pursue an MD/MPH to intersect her passion for patient care, disability advocacy, and research, making a positive change in healthcare.

Read more in the Clemson News article.