Javor Wins Prestigious Pelotonia Undergraduate Fellowship
Josh Javor, an undergraduate student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), received a 2015 Pelotonia Undergraduate Fellowship, the first undergraduate student from MAE to receive the fellowship. Pelotonia, the grassroots bike tour that raises money to fund cancer research, raised a record $21,000,000 in 2014.
“Applications for this round of awards were extremely competitive,” said Gustavo Leone, PhD, director of the Pelotonia Fellowship Program. “Josh’s was truly outstanding.”
Javor’s research is focused on cancer detection by using a modified detection method, eddy current detection, currently used in welding to identify defects in conductive materials such as metals. Javor’s fellowship project applies similar technology to detect abnormalities in human tissue by designing and fabricating a microscopic detection tool based on macroscopic prototypes to improve resolution.
Last year, Javor rode 180 miles in Pelotonia, his first cycling event, describing it as an “incredible experience.” As part of the fellowship program this summer, Javor will compete as a student rider with the same fundraising expectations as other Pelotonia riders. Javor will ride as part of Team Buckeye to help reach his fundraising goal.
“This fellowship will have a great impact on my research because I will have a committed direction and access to the university’s leading cancer researchers,” Javor said. “I have much to learn in the professional research world as well as the biological sciences.”
“We are proud of Josh and wish him well in Pelotonia this year and with his research,” said Professor Vish Subramaniam, Javor’s advisor.
About Pelotonia
Founded in 2008, Pelotonia was established with the objective to fund life-saving cancer research. Pelotonia is a three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. In its first six rides, Pelotonia raised $82 million for cancer research. Thanks to its generous funding partners including Huntington Bank, L Brands Foundation, Peggy and Richard Santalli, American Electric Power Foundation, Nationwide Insurance, Cardinal Health Foundation, Harold C. Schott Foundation and The Scotts Miracle-Grow Company, Pelotonia is able to direct 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
About the Pelotonia Undergraduate Fellowship
The Pelotonia Fellowship Program awards about 25 undergraduate fellowships each year for promising and accomplished undergraduate students from any discipline at Ohio State who have the potential to become independent cancer researchers. Pelotonia Undergraduate Fellowships are for one year and competitions are held every spring.
