Golden Key is happy to introduce Christian O. Díaz-Cáez, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Graduate Scholar Award winners. Christian graduated as a Cum Laude Honor Engineer from Universidad del Turabo in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and earned a Master’s of Electrical Engineering from Howard University in 2019. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from Howard University.

“I am very grateful for all the confidence the Golden Key family has given me by selecting me as the Graduate Scholarship Award recipient,” Christian says. “This award will support me during my graduate research and dissertation towards a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering.”

Chrisitan is currently a member of the Computational Electromagnetics Research Group at Howard University.

“My current research includes the modeling and simulations of electromagnetic scattering and radiation,” Christian shares. “Also, we work with the development and implementation of fast algorithms to solve electromagnetics problems in real-world scenarios. Our research findings in the graduate program have an essential impact on designing, implementing, testing, and improving new technology performance such as radar systems, antennas, communications systems, among others.”

However, Christian’s research doesn’t stop there; he has also completed research with other universities and institutions.

“I have also participated in several types of research at different universities and research institutions, such as the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Tsinghua University, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and the NOAA Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation; and different departments at Howard University, the Ana G. Mendez University, and Inter-American University,” Chrisitan mentions.

Along with Chrisitan’s membership with Golden Key, he recently became a member of one of the world’s largest research honor societies.

“Recently, I have been elected as an associate member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society,” Chrisitan reveals. “Sigma Xi is the world’s largest general research honor society.”

Chrisitan is a part of many other additional student and professional organizations.

“One of these is the world’s largest technical professional organization for advancement and technology, The Institute of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers,” Christian explains. “I am a graduate member of the IEEE Washington Section and a member of three IEEE technical Societies, which are the Electromagnetic Combability Society, Circuits and System Society, and the Antennas and Propagation Society; and member of the IEEE Young Professionals Community.”
Christian’s dedication to his academics doesn’t stop at just these organizations; he is also a member of ten additional societies.

“I am a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and a graduate member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers in the Washington D.C. Professional Chapter,” Christian remarks. “Also, I am a member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Association for Computing Machinery, The Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Indian Science and Engineering Society and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Chrisitan; we wish you the best of luck with your Doctorate!

Golden Key is charmed to introduce Sofiya Anikina, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Outstanding Member Award winners. Sofiya earned her Bachelor’s of Science with a Major in Social Psychology and Statistics from Lomonosov Moscow State University. Additionally, she obtained a Master’s of Science in Applied Computer Science and is currently earning a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of West Georgia.

“I believe that I foster the mission of Golden Key Honor Society through the exemplary work, strong work ethic, high professional standards, determination, notable results, and my persistent contribution to business and academic success,” Sofiya says. “As I feel that creating a positive change is my nature, Golden Key Outstanding Member Award inspires me to continue down the path to represent and support the community of women in technology and encourage them to develop their talent and realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership, and service at any career stage, despite life challenges or exceptional family responsibilities.”

Sofiya aligns herself with the pillars of Golden Key and honors this alignment through community service.

“For me, community service means to represent and support the community of women in technology and make women realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership, and service at any career stage, despite family circumstances and financial hardships,” Sofiya explains.

Sofiya’s exceptional dedication to her education is reflected in her awards and recognitions.

“Seven years ago, I could not imagine I would be successful at programming, databases, technical and Business Intelligence tools,” Sofiya reveals. “Today, I am recognized by the Women In Technology organization, have a proven track record of passionately disrupting tradition with innovation, experienced in creating data efficiencies through report automation, and have one semester left to graduate with the Master’s degree in Computer Science.”

Sofiya recognizes that she would not be where she is today without her family.

“I feel that everything I achieved in my life was due to my good upbringing, persistence, hard work, and passion for education,” Sofiya remarks. “As an illustration, I graduated with honors in high school–4.0 GPA–while already working part-time. Working since high school allowed me to support my family, empowered my exceptional academic performance, and made me believe in myself.”

Sofiya also feels that she truly embraces the mission of Golden Key in her everyday life.

“I also believe that I foster the mission of Golden Key Honor Society through the exemplary and hard work, solid work ethic and high professional standards, determination, notable results, and my persistent contribution to business and academic success,” Sofiya expresses. “Not only the Golden Key Honour Society Scholarship would be valuable in supporting my goal to finish my computer science degree, but also your award would encourage me to continue down the path to represent and support the community of women in technology and inspire women by example through the advancement of academics, leadership, and service at any career stage, despite exceptional family responsibilities and life burdens.”

Sofiya is truly honored and proud to be a Golden Key member.

“While being a member of three Honor Societies, I’d like to say with confidence that Golden Key International Honour Society is dedicated to recognition of academic and professional success and to empower its members to achieve new horizons,” Sofiya professes. “What sets it apart from the rest is delivering real value to its members through continuing interaction and support. It provides a lot of advantages through essential activities such as career coaching, personal growth training, and many more. I truly enjoy being a GK member!”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Sofiya; we wish you the best of luck as you finish your Master’s in Computer Science!

Golden Key is gladdened to introduce Carmen Tessier, one of Golden Key’s 2020 Graduate Scholar Award winners. Carmen earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Alberta and is completing her Master’s in Medical Sciences – Paediatrics from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta.

“Being awarded the 2020 Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award will fund my training and opportunity to present among experts in my research field, which I would not have been able to pursue without the award,” Carmen says. “I am grateful to be a Golden Key member and for their dedication to funding graduate students to pursue their passion and education.”

Carmen has a deep love for volunteering and found her passion through volunteering with community programs.

“I am currently enrolled in my second year of a Master of Science (MSc) in Medical Sciences research-based program,” Carmen explains. “After taking undergraduate courses such as developmental psychology and clinical and counselling psychology coupled with being involved in coaching children’s sports teams and volunteering with various community programs such as a women’s shelter, I developed a strong interest in child psychiatry and the importance of early child development. I became particularly interested in the impact of early life stress on the developmental trajectory of children.”

Carmen appreciates Golden Key providing her with the opportunity to continue her education.

“My career goals include pursuing child psychiatry with a specialization in research,” Carmen shares. “My current research explores the impacts of perinatal stress on child neurodevelopment, and this Golden Key award will allow me to fund my registration fees to apply and present my research at national and international conferences among experts in my field. Presenting at conferences offers unique networking opportunities as well as the experience of presenting scientific knowledge to the lay community. Being able to communicate to the general public is a skill that I will need as a physician and continuing researcher.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Carmen; we wish you the best of luck as you finish your Master’s degree!