Biochemistry Undergraduate Joshua Lotz Named to USA Today Academic First Team
In recognition of his achievements, Lotz’s photo and accomplishments are featured in the Feb. 14 USA Today Life section. Lotz will receive a trophy and a cash award of $2,500.
This is the second consecutive year that a Biological Sciences student has been named to USA Today’s Academic First Team.
2008: Biochemistry major Joshua Lotz
2007: Microbiology major Yoonhee Patricia Ha
Additionally: Lotz (2007) and Ha (2006) are both recipients of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the most prestigious scholarship available to an undergraduate, providing $30,000 for graduate studies leading to a career in public service.
We congratulate biochemistry major Joshua Lotz, named to the 2008 USA Today Academic First Team. The publication selects 20 undergraduate students annually from around the country for this honor. These are exceptional students, who not only excel in the classroom, but work to benefit society. Judges base their decisions on academic achievement and academic rigor, leadership experience and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Lotz, who is also a Chinese major, is spending this year in China at the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, where he is studying the phytochemistry of a species of Himalayan poppy used in Tibetan medicine. His work there is made possible by a U.S. Department of Education Fellowship.
This is not new terrain for Lotz, who spent nearly two years in Beijing and Tibet after graduating from high school. While there, he and two Tibetan friends established a small community school. He also managed a health care clinic in the region.
Passionate about global health issues, Lotz is active in raising awareness locally and internationally. He founded the Global Health Initiative at Ohio State, which organizes global-health related events, lectures and study-abroad opportunities for Ohio State students. He currently serves as founder/director of the Do-Khan Foundation, a registered non-profit organization in China that works on various educational and medical initiatives.
Lotz’s future plans include earning degrees in medical anthropology and public health before attending medical school. His ultimate goal is to “one day, work in helping to develop sustainable health programs in resource-poor areas such as where I lived in Tibet ."
Lotz is also the recipient of the Sheldon G. Cohen Scholarship, established by biological sciences' alumnus Dr. Sheldon Cohen. It is given annually to two undergraduates with dual majors in the biological sciences and humanities.
Originally published Winter, 2008
