Arcadia University is pleased to establish the Kathleen Demery Valverde Endowed Award for Excellence in Research. The award will recognize undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, or Public Health and whose scientific research is presented at a national or regional conference or as part of their senior thesis or capstone project. 

Established with funds remaining from Arcadia’s Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program, the award honors longtime donor, faculty member, and Chair of the Genetic Counseling program, Kathleen Demery Valverde. In Fall 2018, Arcadia transferred sponsorship, accreditation, curriculum, and faculty of its Genetic Counseling program to the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Professor Valverde, who joined Arcadia’s faculty with the first Genetic Counseling cohort in 1995, taught all of the program’s 291 graduates and served as Chair of the program for 16 of her 25 years at Arcadia.

“This award will carry on the legacy of Kathy’s contributions to Arcadia University and her impact on the program’s alumni who have gone on to become outstanding genetic counseling program directors, executive directors of disease-specific organizations, teachers, researchers, and some of the best clinical genetic counselors in the nation,” said Dr. Rebecca Craik, dean of the College of Health Sciences.

The inaugural Kathleen Demery Valverde Endowed Award for Excellence in Research will be presented during the 2020-2021 academic year. For more information, please contact Dr. Craik at craikr@arcadia.edu.