UPenn Student Maria Balhara Wins 2026 Udall Scholarship for Research and Service

Maria Balhara, a third-year student at the University of Pennsylvania, has been named a 2026 Udall Scholar. The prestigious award recognises her academic achievements and commitment to public service. She was selected from a pool of 383 candidates nationwide. Balhara is one of 65 students chosen for the honour. Each scholar will receive up to $7,000 to support their studies. Her application was backed by Penn’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

She majors in philosophy of science in the College of Arts & Sciences. Her research centres on how scientific evidence shapes environmental and public health decisions. She has also studied endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their effects on human health.

Balhara has worked with mentors such as Quayshawn Spencer, Jordana Cohen, Brahim Chaqour, and Steven Weitzman. Beyond academia, she has served as an AmeriCorps teacher, mentoring students from low-income backgrounds. She also took part in the Fulbright United Kingdom Summer Institute at the University of Birmingham. The Udall Scholarship highlights Balhara’s dedication to research and service. The funding will aid her ongoing work in philosophy of science and public health. Her selection reflects her contributions to both academic and community efforts.