The Marti Barrett Scholarship is named in honor of a deceased UCD chemistry professor, a woman who fought for underdogs. It would be hard to find two more deserving students than the women receiving the award this year.

Senior Truska Mahmood was born in northern Iraq and believes that her dreams of being a dentist never could have been realized there. “When I came to the United States, there was an ‘aha’ moment for me as a female, thinking that I could actually be a dentist,” says Mahmood, who appreciates that this scholarship is available only to women pursuing the natural sciences. “Especially where I’m from, it is an amazing leap for a woman to become a doctor,” she says. “When I noticed this scholarship was only for women, it made me feel special.”

Senior Ashley Jo Paggen also dreamed of being a doctor, even though she had never performed well in math. The scholarship meant that she’d be able to dedicate extra time to the subject.

Then Paggen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a debilitating disease of the spinal cord and brain. “Talk about having the odds stacked up against you!” Paggen says lightheartedly. “The scholarship lifts a weight off my shoulders, allowing me to stay focused on my studies and health.”

Both women received $1,250. “If I could talk to Marti Barrett today,” adds Paggen, “I’d want to tell her that it is an honor to be part of her legacy.”

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