Nyasha Milanzi wasn’t entirely surprised to win the Rising Black Scientists Award. She had a feeling. And she’d worked hard on her application.
“This is probably coincidental, but I actually wrote in my diary that I was going to win the prize after I submitted it,” said the graduate research assistant, who is slated to receive her master’s degree in sustainable communities this year. “I felt my essay was well written and thought I was going to win the prize, so I wrote it down.”
Milanzi is a winner in the fifth annual awards in the physical, data, earth, and environmental sciences scholar category. The awards, sponsored by Cell Press, Cell Signaling Technology, and the Elsevier Foundation are designed to empower and support talented and motivated young Black scientists on their continuing journey through their scientific careers. Milanzi’s essay submission for the award, Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers and Scientists to be Champions of Equitable Change, shares her passion for underserved communities driven by a family legacy. Her father taught children with disabilities, while her mother works in education in rural Zimbabwe.
“Looking back, the people who really inspired me are at home. I see a lot of parallels between myself and my parents. They want to do good, but they are also thinking of the most vulnerable in our community,” she said.
Her essay also addresses the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to science. She wanted to encourage other researchers to go beyond calculations and modeling to solve problems from a more holistic perspective.
“If you are an engineer or a scientist people expect you to do certain kinds of research and not others,” said Milanzi, “But you can still be successful if you decide to mix, for example, psychology and economics or engineering and community science. I wanted other young people who are considering unconventional projects, research or careers to know you can still be successful.”
Milanzi knows what it means to pursue an unconventional interdisciplinary focus. Prior to coming to Tech, she studied electrical and electronic engineering at Ashesi University in Ghana, earning her undergraduate degree. Her recent research for the Environmental Protection Agency-funded project with ReJUST involved surveying local residents to aid the team in developing holistic solutions.
“It is very interdisciplinary. On the team we have professors from across Michigan Tech. We have economists, air quality scientists, social scientists,” she said. “A lot of things are interlinked, so we didn’t want to just address air quality.”
There are no premonitions required to accurately predict that Milanzi’s award will lead to further career development opportunities. In addition to having her essay published, Milanzi received $10,500 for professional development and travel costs, along with complimentary conference registration.
About the College of Sciences and Arts
The College of Sciences and Arts is a global center of academic excellence in the sciences, humanities, and arts for a technological world. Our teacher-scholar model is a foundation for experiential learning, innovative research and scholarship, and civic leadership. The College offers 33 bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, humanities, kinesiology and Integrative physiology, mathematical sciences, physics, psychology and human factors, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. We are home to Michigan Tech’s pre-health professions and ROTC programs. The College offers 25 graduate degrees and certificates. We conduct approximately $12 million in externally funded research in health and wellness, sustainability and resiliency, and the human-technology frontier.
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