{"id":22732,"date":"2026-09-02T14:49:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T18:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=22732"},"modified":"2026-09-02T16:22:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T20:22:33","slug":"5-engineering-doctoral-students-selected-as-purdues-inaugural-class-of-arcs-national-scholars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q3\/5-engineering-doctoral-students-selected-as-purdues-inaugural-class-of-arcs-national-scholars","title":{"rendered":"5 engineering doctoral students selected as Purdue\u2019s inaugural class of ARCS National Scholars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Meera Doran, Maxwell Kawada, Shaiv Mehra, Peter Meshkov and Christopher Peter have more in common than their individual pursuits of doctoral degrees through Purdue University\u2019s College of Engineering. Through a partnership with the <a href=\"https:\/\/arcsfoundation.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/arcsfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation<\/a> and Purdue, the five have been named to the university\u2019s inaugural class of ARCS National Scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doran, Kawada, Mehra and Peter are PhD students in biomedical engineering while Meshkov is pursuing his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering. As Purdue\u2019s first ARCS National Scholars, each is eligible to receive $10,000 per year in unrestricted funds, renewable for up to three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese Purdue scholars for 2026 were selected through nomination by their department based on their exceptional academic merit and research in high-impact and emerging technology fields that are essential to U.S. technological leadership and global competitiveness,\u201d said Lauren Trondsen, director of fellowships for Purdue\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/academics\/ogsps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through a pact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/Q1\/purdue-arcs-foundation-agreement-expands-national-science-scholar-program-to-indiana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced in March<\/a>, Purdue\u2019s partnership with ARCS represented the foundation\u2019s first expansion into Indiana. Additionally, it reflected a shared commitment by Purdue and ARCS to <a href=\"https:\/\/arcsfoundation.org\/news\/arcs-foundation-launches-national-scholar-award-program-expand-support-americas-top-stem-talent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strengthen the nation\u2019s STEM workforce<\/a> and accelerate discovery essential to economic resilience and global leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purdue also is the first partner university to have its PhD students receive awards directly from the ARCS Foundation. In some cases this year, the Purdue awards are named in honor of the donor who provided funding through ARCS. This year\u2019s scholars and their research focus:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-doran.jpg\" alt=\"Meera Doran\" class=\"wp-image-23258\" style=\"width:150px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-doran.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-doran-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Meera Doran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meera Doran, Roche ARCS National Scholar Award<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PhD research: identifying the earliest signs of cardiovascular disease using cutting-edge imaging technology for predictive diagnostics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technologies involved: artificial intelligence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-kawada.jpg\" alt=\"Maxwell Kawada\" class=\"wp-image-23257\" style=\"width:150px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-kawada.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-kawada-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maxwell Kawada<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maxwell Kawada, ARCS National Scholar Award<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PhD research: investigating the cognitive response to using AI and autonomy in surgical robots in high-stakes environments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technologies involved: advanced computing, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shaiv-Mehra.jpg?ver=1788376145\" alt=\"Shaiv Mehra\" class=\"wp-image-23256\" style=\"width:150px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shaiv-Mehra.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shaiv-Mehra-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shaiv Mehra<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shaiv Mehra, Bindley ARCS National Scholar Award<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PhD research: automating and autonomizing assistive robotic manipulation and mobility to improve independence of individuals with disabilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technologies involved: autonomous systems and artificial intelligence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-meshkov.jpg\" alt=\"Peter Meshkov\" class=\"wp-image-23255\" style=\"width:150px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-meshkov.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-meshkov-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peter Meshkov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Peter Meshkov, Burton ARCS National Scholar Award<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PhD research: engineering a quantum spin liquid for advanced computing applications by mechanically straining candidate materials with nanoscale structures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technologies involved: microelectronics, nanotechnology and quantum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-peter.jpg\" alt=\"Christopher Peter\" class=\"wp-image-23254\" style=\"width:150px\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-peter.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/arcs-peter-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christopher Peter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Christopher Peter, Burke ARCS National Scholar Award<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PhD research: identifying the neural mechanisms underlying multisensory integration during artificial stimulation to improve perceptual decision-making<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technologies involved: artificial intelligence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the agreement, ARCS will provide ongoing private, unrestricted funding for Purdue doctoral students conducting research in high-impact and emerging technology fields identified as critical by the Council on Competitiveness, with each award providing three years of support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Initial support is focused on biomedical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering \u2014 fields that reinforce Purdue\u2019s leadership in advanced computing, semiconductors and next-generation technologies while accelerating the university\u2019s key priorities in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/onehealth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One Health<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/computes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Purdue Computes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other critical technology areas laid out by ARCS as future priorities include advanced computing, biotechnology, autonomous systems, advanced aerospace, microelectronics, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, industrialization of space and advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About ARCS Foundation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ARCS Foundation is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing U.S. competitiveness by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and medical research at 52 of the nation\u2019s leading research universities. Since 1958 ARCS Foundation has awarded more than $148 million to over 13,000 scholars. ARCS scholars have produced thousands of research publications and patents, secured billions in grant funding, launched science-based companies, and played a critical role in educating and mentoring the next generation of innovators. More information is available at <a href=\"https:\/\/arcsfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arcsfoundation.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Purdue University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purdue University is a research institution ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a land-grant university committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue\u2019s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Meera Doran, Maxwell Kawada, Shaiv Mehra, Peter Meshkov and Christopher Peter have more in common than their individual pursuits of doctoral degrees through Purdue University\u2019s College of Engineering. Through a partnership with the Achievement Rewards for<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,7],"tags":[],"department":[],"source":[29],"purdue_today_topic":[],"coauthors":[243],"class_list":["post-22732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-research-excellence","source-purdue-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22732"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23305,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22732\/revisions\/23305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22732"},{"taxonomy":"department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/department?post=22732"},{"taxonomy":"source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/source?post=22732"},{"taxonomy":"purdue_today_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/purdue_today_topic?post=22732"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=22732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}