Oct 28, 2008 -- Malka Bromberg, physics major at Yeshiva University’s (YU) Stern College for Women (SCW), is one of four scholars chosen as a 2008 winner of the first annual Henry Kressel Research Scholarship. The scholarship was established to perpetuate YU’s student research community and seeks to embody the commitment to intellectual rigor, creativity and pursuit of knowledge that defines Yeshiva University.

The scholarship funding provides a stipend of $7,500 for the academic year, with additional grant monies available for travel or research support. Academic mentors to the scholars also receive a $2,000 grant to offset costs of supervising the student’s research. Recipients are expected to spend at least one intensive summer and academic year on the project. Following their research tenure, Kressel Scholars will lead student sessions publicizing their work to catalyze a larger intellectual discussion on the topic.

Ms. Bromberg, who is being mentored by Dr. Anatoly Frenkel, head of the physics department at Stern College, is researching the synthesis and characterization of functional carbon nanotubes. The Philadelphia native has been an aspiring physicist since the fifth grade when she read a book about Niels Bohr and quantum physics.

“Malka is a phenomenally motivated and independent young researcher,” says Dr. Frenkel. “She has truly made a positive impression on me with her determination to perform hands-on research.”

Dr. Henry Kressel, Managing Director of Warburg Pincus LLC and a Yeshiva College graduate, funded the program with the goal of expanding student-faculty research. “The idea is to make it possible for students to work with talented faculty in advancing knowledge and to get a taste of the exciting world of research,” says Dr. Kressel. “My expectation is that this program will lead to a richer intellectual environment at Yeshiva University and encourage more students to pursue a career in research through graduate studies.”