August 19, 2021
Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes company, named Seti Vega and Lauren Wheeler as the 2021 recipients of the Medidata Founders Scholarship. Scholarship recipients are awarded $10,000 in tuition scholarship upon acceptance of an invitation to join Medidata's 2021 Summer Internship program.
The Medidata Founders Scholarship, launched in 2019, honors the company’s two co-founders, Glen de Vries and Tarek Sherif. To lift up the next generation of leaders, disruptors, innovators and changemakers, this award is presented annually to two students dedicated to helping the world find smarter treatments for more patients more quickly. This effort – intended to help advance the career aspirations of college students in pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers – is a key component of Medidata’s five-year goal to reach 15,000 students through investments in education.
“At Medidata, we are deeply committed to becoming a more diverse and inclusive company and creating a sense of belonging for all employees. We believe the future of our industry lives in the minds of our youth,” said Tarek Sherif, Life Sciences & Healthcare Sector Board Chairman for Dassault Systèmes. “Our goal is to encourage students to advance their learnings in computer science and related-STEM disciplines. We’re proud to have created a program which supports students who demonstrate the diversity of thought and leadership necessary to advance patient health outcomes.”
Seti Vega, a student at Howard University, is working towards his B.B.A. in computer information systems, working toward a career that lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship and technology. Vega wants to generate change in the diversity of the life sciences industry and aims to inspire young people of color to enter STEM fields. Vega is an All Star Code alumni and is the Co-Founder and CIO of Parent Matterz, an organization that provides resources and opportunities for parents to help their children explore their interests and passions. With the help of the Founders scholarship, Vega hopes to reach his goal of coding applications that help his community build generational wealth and create change.
Lauren Wheeler is a student at Imperial College London, studying medical biosciences with management. Lauren’s interests include 21st century diseases, lifestyle medicine, and the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare. Wheeler is a STEM-potential mentor who helps disadvantaged students explore education options, assisting with applications, and supporting them in their transition to university life. Wheeler was elected as the student union’s Mental Health Officer and leads the mental health network at school. She also speaks out in the media about relevant issues affecting young girls in the UK as an advocate for the Girl Guide organization. Wheeler aims to study for a master’s in healthcare administration/management in the U.S.
For more information, contact Paul Oestreicher, external communications director at poestreicher@medidata.com.