The Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship received applications from the best and brightest. 110 students submitted their applications before the 30 September deadline to be included in the competition. And from that group the selection committee selected the 18 strongest applicants.
The IEEE Computer Society offers $40,000 in student scholarships, from $1,000 and up, to recognize and reward active student volunteer leaders in student branches or chapters who show promise in their academic and professional efforts. This scholarship was created in honor of the late Richard E. Merwin, past president of the Computer Society, to recognize and reward student leadership. The Merwin Scholarship now has two application deadlines: 30 April and 30 September of each year.
Interested in applying? Learn how to apply for the Merwin Scholarship
You can check out their bios below:
Rana Maitri Bharatkumar
Gujarat Technological University
Information Technology
Rana Maitri Bharatkumar is an undergraduate student in information technology in Gujarat Technological University. She currently serves in the role of content supervisor of the IEEE Smart Village—South Asia and was the documentation lead for the All India Computer Society Students and Young Professional Congress (AICSSYC’19). Maitri was previously secretary at IEEE ADIT student branch for the Women in Engineering affinity group, content team lead for Inspiro’18 and global public relations ambassador for IEEE Xtreme 12.0. She received an award for contributions as content team lead during Inspiro’18 and the best volunteer award by IEEE Gujarat Section. In her spare time, she prepared a poster for a poster presentation competition with the topic of Women in Sports and took part in a 5k run.
Chakravarthy D S
VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNRVJIET)
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Chakravarthy D S is an undergraduate student in electronics and communication engineering at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology. He is currently IEEE student branch chair, and ambassador for several events, such as the IEEE Xtreme Programming Competition 2019, madC Competition 2019 and IEEE Day 2019. Chakravarthy D S formed the IEEE Computer Society and IEEE Power and Energy Society chapters at VNRVJIET. Beyond his work with IEEE and the Computer Society, he is a member of the college badminton team and a member of the College Short Film Club, VJ Teatro. He has volunteered for Haritha Haram, VNRVJIET. He has received first prize for his technical paper presentation at Convergence 2018. He was the best speaker for Mock Parliament and received first prize in the hackathon for SPEAK.
Sobhan Kanti Dhara
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur)
Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering Department (E&ECE)
Sobhan Kanti Dhara is pursuing a PhD in the electronics and electrical communication engineering department in the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. He currently serves as student chair for the membership development and geographic activity, student activity committee. Dhara served as the student Interim-co-chair and vice-chair of the young professional affinity group, program committee member and tutorials/workshops chair for TechSym-2016. He was awarded the Shastri Research Student Fellowship in 2017. He was a senate member, Institute Gold Medalist for Best M.Tech and Academic Excellence awardee from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela. He has received Young Distinguished Alumnus award from Institute of Engineering and Management. In addition, he received the Institute Travel Grant for presenting a research paper at IEEE ICIP-2018 and Best Paper Award in PSIVT-2019.
Indhumathi Gunasekaran
Panimalar Institute of Technology (PIT)
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Indhumathi is in a Bachelors program in the electronics and communication engineering department at Panimalar Institute of Technology. She currently serves in the role of chair of the Computer Society chapter of IEEE Panimalar Institute of Technology student branch and vice-chair of the student branch . Gunasekaran was previously the IEEE student branch treasurer and chair of Women in Engineering of the student branch. She conducted community service at an orphanage in Amanjikarai, to encourage and motivate orphans to face real-world challenges and taught self-defense awareness at Faith Home Orphanage. She secured first rank in her department during the university examinations for several academic years and won the Best Student of the Year 2018 Award by ISTE TN section level in their 18th Annual Convention.
Saptarshi Ghosh
Jadavpur University
Instrumentation and Electronics Engineering
Saptarshi Ghosh is in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in instrumentation and electronics engineering at Jadavpur University. He is the student branch chair at Jadavpur University and a mentor for the Computer Society student branch chapter. Ghosh was the event coordinator for many events including Think AI, Re-Wired, the ML Accelerator Summit, Kolkata Computer Society Young Professionals Congress (namely TechX), and also was the TISP track lead for CSIS’19. He was selected in the Reliance Gen-Next Hub Hardware Accelerator and founded his own startup named Food Go while in college. Notably, he has also interned in renowned organizations including Honeywell and Indian Institute of Science in his undergraduate. Among other hobbies, he is passionate about sports and has even represented his department as the captain of his football team.
Samarth Gupta
Delhi Technological University
Computer Engineering
Samarth Gupta is studying in a Bachelors program in computer engineering at Delhi Technological University. He is currently the chair of the IEEE DTU Computer Society. Gupta was previously coordinator of the IEEE Delhi Section Student Award Ceremony, event lead for the Vihaan 2.0 Hackathon and chief organizer, Delhi Section Student Congress 2018. He is the recipient of first prize in MS Hacks 2018, second prize in the Northern India Engineering College Hackathon, and first runner-up in HashHacks. His research paper was selected for the IEEE conference ICST 2018 and in the Springer conference ICCIDA 2018. Outside of his activities with IEEE, he is a back-end developer with Rotaract Global Model United Nations Special Edition 2018 and co-founder of the Project Unnati. He volunteers for Leaders for Tomorrow—DTU.
Reethika J
Panimalar Institute of Technology (PIT)
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Reethika J is working toward an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at Panimalar Institute of Technology. She is the IEEE student branch vice-chair, TEMS Chair and content lead for student branch newsletter. Reethika J has served as IAS vice-chair and content writer for CSIS’19 held at MES college of engineering, Kerala. She secured second rank in her department during the university examinations for the academic year 2016–2017, Emerging Student Volunteer Award 2018 at IEEE Student Branch, second place for a project on “QR Code Generation for Doctors’ Prescriptions” and second prize in a “Chart making contest” for depicting her ideas on VLSI technology. Further, she conducted a social awareness program on women’s safety precautions and self-defense measures at Shri Arangai Naidu higher secondary school.
Saiteja Goud Karingu
Geethanjali College of Engineering and Technology (GCET)
Computer Science and Engineering
Saiteja Goud Karingu is studying in a Bachelors program in the computer science and engineering department at Geethanjali College of Engineering and Technology. He served as treasurer and activities coordinator for the IEEE CS student branch chapter, and member of the student branch’s publicity committee. Karingu has served as registration joint lead and hospitality lead for WiLCS and coordinator for ENIGMA 2.0 (flagship of the IEEE Computer Society student branch chapter GCET). He has participated in the Section Student Congress’19, CSIS’19 at MES College, Kuttipuram, Bhaswara 2017 and 2018 and Atmos’17. Karingu is serving as a student branch secretary and RAS student branch chapter chair & ambassador for IEEE Xtreme 13.0. In his spare time, he founded and served as secretary for Enchanting Minds and initiated the School Education Program.
Patnam Madhuri
Jayamukhi Institute of Technological Sciences
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Patnam Madhuri has a goal of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering at Jayamukhi Institute of Technological Sciences. She is student ambassador for IEEE DAY, chair for IEEE Jayamukhi student branch Women In Engineering, and outreach content volunteer for IEEE XTRINIA-2019. Madhuri was previously the IEEE MadC student ambassador, publicity volunteer for Robothon 5.0, UPIITA IEEE WIE Contest-2018 and designer for IZITA 2.0. Beyond her work with IEEE and the Computer Society, she is a cadet in the NCC Air Force. She took first place in a drill competition conducted at the Combined Annual Training Camp. She is the recipient of the IEEE Sight Travel Grant for WIE ILS-2019 and won first prize for the poster presentation at the IEEE All India Student YP WIE Congress.
Johora Islam Mim
Daffodil International University
Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
Johora islam Mim is working toward a Bachelor’s degree in electronics and telecommunication engineering at Daffodil International University. She serves as chair of women in engineering (WIE), vice-chair of university’s student branch and lead executive for women in computing with the IEEE Computer Society Bangladesh chapter. Mim has served as senior public coordinator in her university’s student branch and campus ambassador for IEEEXtreme 13.0 and IEEE Madc. Morevoer, she has served as a teaching assistant of electronics and telecommunication engineering (ETE) and assisted as a secretary of the electronics and telecommunication clubs. She has also been the vice-president of Daffodil Shahitto Songo. She was awarded a scholarship at Daffodil International University and has recieved Cambium networking and Mikrotik certificates. She achieved first position in the cambium network.
Deepak Nagalla
Amrita Vishway Vidyapeetham University
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Deepak Nagalla is in pursuit of an undergraduate degree in the electronics and communication engineering at Amrita Vishway Vidyapeetham University. He serves as Chair of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham student branch and vice-chair of the Computer Society student branch chapter. Nagalla organized several events, such as a seminar on neuro medical robotics and Panchadasha. He also volunteered for ROBOTSAVAM, an international level tech fest exclusively for Robotics. Moreover, he volunteered for Amala Bharatham Campaign and the Kerala Flood Relief program. He participated in IDC RoboCon at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in the World Robot Summit in Tokyo. Nagalla is the recipient of two gold medals in the national cyber Olympiad, and one gold and one silver medal in the national science Olympiad.
Sai Divya Nallapaneni
G. Pulla Reddy Engineering College (GPREC)
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Sai Divya Nallapaneni is studying at G. Pulla Reddy Engineering College in the electronics and communication engineering department for an undergraduate degree. She is the Computer Society chapter chair and IEEE GPREC student branch lead content writer. In 2019 she was a member of the documentation team for the All India Computer Society Student and Young Professional Congress 2019. Outside of her activities with IEEE, she has been a training and placement cell coordinator, a participant in Uddaan’2K17, an intra college sports fest, where she played on the department volleyball team. She volunteers at the Aasya Foundation, helping the poor and people in need. She was awarded a Grace Hopper Celebrations India Scholarship, and first prize in Circuit Master organized by IEEE Power and Energy Society of IEEE GPREC student branch.
Shreya Patel
G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology (GCET)
Computer Engineering
Shreya Patel is in a Bachelors program in computer engineering at G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology. She is a volunteer in the IEEE CS Compute Newsletter’s content team. She was chair of the Computer Society student branch chapter at GCET and the the organizer of Milap’ 19, a Young Professional Annual Section Meeting. Patel organized Ordinatuer 2018, the flagship event of the Computer Society, IEEE GCET student branch. She was awarded for securing the highest SPI for the sixth semester and the highest CGPA in her department. Beyond her work with IEEE and the Computer Society, she was team captain for her university at a national hockey tournament. She has volunteered at Bachpan Foundation and at the Women and Empowerment Symposium.
Ramaraju Ramyasri
MVSR Engineering College
Information Technology
Ramaraju Ramyasri is working toward a Bachelor’s degree in information technology at MVSR Engineering College. She is currently IEEE MVSR student branch chair. Ramyasri has previously served as joint secretary in MVSR Computer Society student chapter and outreach volunteer for many events. She has coordinated and organized several events, such as the national level technical symposium Technovanza-2019, IEEE Day celebrations and Helping Hands. Beyond her work with IEEE, she is a core member of Information Technology Students Association in her college. She has also made an impact on her community through volunteering an NGO. She was awarded second in the department in the university examinations. She won second for a technical paper presentation in inforIThm 2k19 and for her project in Project Expo 2019 at the MVSR Engineering College.
Abhishek Satapathy
Vellore Institute of Technology—Chennai (VIT—Chennai)
School of Electronics Engineering
Abhishek Satapathy is an undergraduate student in the school of electronics engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology—Chennai. He serves as chair for the IEEE Computer Society, VIT Chennai student branch chapter. Satapathy was creative co-head for the chapter, project lead for Brain Computing Interface and technical advisor. He is a member and former joint general secretary of the photography club at VITC and a member of Technocrats Robotics. He has also participated in the trekking club and has been an undergraduate teaching assistant in the course “Data Structures and Algorithms.” He won first place in Makeathon 2k18, HackHub 2k19 and the Drag Race RoboPrix. He and his team were finalists in the World Robotics Championship Technoxian 2019 for the fastest line follower and quarter-finalists for RoboSoccer.
Shinu Shaju
St. Joseph’s College of Engineering & Technology, Palai, Kerala
Computer Science & Engineering
Shinu Shaju is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering at St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology, Palai, Kerala. He is the electronics and communication coordinator of the student volunteering team for the IEEE Computer Society Kerala Chapter and design lead for the IEEE Compute Newsletter Edition 8. He was the Chair of the IEEE Computer Society student branch chapter. Shinu was previously an IEEE Day 2018 section ambassador, student ambassador for IEEEXtreme 12.0 and link representative for the IEEE student branch SJCET. He was also venue coordinator of the All Kerala Computer Society Student Convention 2019. He was the technical team lead for the college tech-fest Asthra and designer for the annual college magazine Reflections’19. He is an active volunteer at the Mozilla Campus Club.
Shreya
Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh
Department Of Computer Science and Engineering
Shreya is in an undergraduate program in the department of Computer Science engineering at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. She serves in the role of chair of Computer Society student branch chapter. She has been the coordinator of the IEEE Orientation 2019, coordinator of R10 event TECHNOVATION and WIE’s Techfie. Shreya was coordinator of the Open Source Projects, technology head of the interest group Web Development, event head of the case study competition held during PECFEST 2018 and event head for Software Hackathon held during PECFEST 2019. She received third place in the Infosys Chandigarh hackathon, first place in the Code Relay competitions during PECFEST 2018. She has been a member of the communication and media club, the PR head and the member of the executive body of VOYAGERS.
S.R. Leoram Siddarth
Sri Sairam Engineering College
Dr. Soma Prathibha
S.R. Leoram Siddarth is a Bachelor’s student in information technology at Sri Sairam Engineering College. He serves as student chapter chair for the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (TEMS). Siddarth has conducted a two-day workshop on R Programming for Data Analytics, and organized the event Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp. He presented a paper in the one-day intercollegiate mathematics contest Mathophilia-2017 on Fuzzy Logic. Siddarth won second prize in the CLUDO event organized by Science Forum of MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College in ACUMEN’15 and the Gold Medal for securing state third in SSLC Public Examination and setting the highest total of all time. Also, he volunteered and coordinated students in an entrepreneurship awareness camp at Sri Sairam Engineering College, and organized and led the first-ever Hackathon HACK@RENA BITS & BYTES 2k18.
