Hofstra University celebrates Resa Nelson, the school's 1st Rhodes Scholar
NASSAU COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) -- Hofstra University is celebrating the school's first-ever Rhodes Scholar.
Resa Nelson, 21, is a biology major in the class of 2026, who has been working on transforming seaweed from her native Antigua into sustainable biofuel.
She was selected from among nine finalists, becoming just the second Rhodes Scholar from Antigua.
Overall, she was one of about 100 students chosen, from around the world, for the prestigious academic honor.
Nelson originally came to Hofstra with the intention of going to medical school and becoming a doctor, but she says her plans changed once she started doing research.
The biology major is fascinated with finding solutions to complex problems, including, one on the shorelines of the Caribbean.
"I realized I loved the act of discovery, the process of asking questions, and finding answers," she said.
Nelson has been doing research under the guidance of Hofstra Biology Professor Dr. Javier Izquierdo, who says that the 21-year-old student's recognition as a Rhodes Scholar is just the beginning of what she will accomplish.
"I would not be surprised if we're talking about Resa becoming not only a Rhodes Scholar, but the president of a corporation or a Nobel Prize winner at some point," he said. "She's someone who is dedicated to doing positive things for our world."
Together they explored ways to convert the seaweed to biofuels and other byproducts. She also studied cancer immunology and neurobiology.
"Afro-Caribbean people like myself don't necessarily have the representation that we need in cell biology, in research," Nelson said.
Nelson is also committed to service and mentorship, volunteering at a local middle school, tutoring students and offering extra help.
"Education for kids is something I'm passionate about," she said. "I know what it's like to grow up where your options feel limited. Having someone believe in you can make all the difference."
Nelson will continue her work as a graduate student at the University of Oxford in the U.K., and she's already thinking about her 10-year plan.
"I see myself developing the first Afro-Caribbean stem cell line, that's my big dream that we can take a stem cell and turn it into anything and then that can be used as a diagnostic tool," Nelson said.
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