NEWS: Esther Aduamah ’27 and John Chandler ’28 Receive 2026 Inspire STEM Scholarships
Two Olin College of Engineering students were honored at the 8th Inspire STEM Gala in Boston, hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Boston Professionals in early March. Esther Aduamah ’27 and John Chandler ’28 were two of 30 award recipients selected from 130 applications.
John Chandler ’28 and Esther Aduamah ’27 at the 2026 NSBE Inspire STEM Gala in Boston.
“We’re so happy for them, and the awards are certainly not unexpected,” said Chris Lee, interim dean of Research & Strategic Partnerships and professor of mechanical engineering at Olin. “They’re both such great representatives of Olin who exemplify passion for learning and leadership within the community. It’s great to see them get this well-deserved recognition on such a big stage.”
NSBE Boston Professionals was founded in 1988 and is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the academic and professional success of Black/African American engineering students and professionals. The organization offers professional development and career advancement to its 350+ members.
Both Aduamah and Chandler are active in the research communities at Olin and beyond. Aduamah, a Bioengineering (BioE) major, conducts research in the Pl(ai) Lab with Andrea Cuadra ’13, and with additional mentorship by Paul Ruvolo. Chandler, who studies Electrical and Computer Engineering, is part of Carrie Nugent’s lab. Additionally, he is working with Thomas A. Searles from the University of Illinois in Chicago on researching quantum sensing to produce a low-cost ODMR device using nitrogen-vacancy center diamonds.
“It feels great. Over the last four years, I have been making sure I can graduate college loan-free and debt-free," said Aduamah, the co-founder and president of Olin’s United Students of Black Culture (USB-C) club and NSBE chapter. “This scholarship is like the last check. And it's coming from NSBE, an organization that has given me a real sense of community by connecting over shared experiences with other members, whether at conferences, while volunteering, or whenever I've reached out for guidance.”
“The year I started NSBE, I started doing a lot more quantum work, and it's really been a catalyst for my growth,” said Chandler, vice president of USB-C and the college’s NSBE chapter, as well as Olin's National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) chapter. “With the networking, the one-on-one coffee chats, the introductions to other people who are working in specific fields that I might be interested in. All of that really adds up, and it's really been very supportive.”