2025

Oct 23: SAR, 6:30 pm, National Academy of Sciences

Nov 4: New Member Orientation, 6:30 pm, Hybrid

Nov 7: Tour of National Cathedral, 12:30 pm

Dec 4: Holiday Party, 6-9 pm, home of Lynn Dillon

2026

Jan 15: Mixology, home of Jane Riddle

Feb 6: ARCS Loves You Member Coffee

Feb 26: Senior Members/Past Presidents Tea, home of Julie Hohl

Mar 8: Winter Membership Meeting, Riverbend Country Club, Great Falls, VA

May 1: Eagle Award Gala, Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC

May 31: Annual Membership Luncheon Meeting (Location TBD)

Jun 7: Picnic/Barbeque, home of Patty Sparrell

Dear ARCS MWC Members,

We’re delighted to share some highlights from our recent Fall Membership Meeting, so graciously hosted by Lorraine Nordlinger. The gathering was well attended, with wonderful food and—most importantly—a chance to connect with our fellow members, including two of our newest members, Mika Robertson and Carolyn Hayward-Williams. Thank you to all who helped plan the event and to those who joined us for such a meaningful afternoon. See below for some photo highlights!

One of the most exciting moments of the meeting was the announcement of our 2025–26 ARCS Light. Please join us in congratulating Elli Nesbitt on this well-deserved recognition! Elli, who became a member in 2010 and was sponsored by Betty Polutchko, has held numerous leadership positions within our chapter and at ARCS National. She has been a constant source of support, generously sharing her time, talent, and treasure. We are grateful for her dedication and commitment. Be sure to congratulate Elli the next time you see her!

In addition to celebrating Elli, our chapter also approved the FY25–26 Operating Budget—an important step in ensuring our continued impact in supporting STEM scholars.

Looking ahead, we are currently seeking volunteers for the Nominating Committee. This is one of the most important committees in our chapter, as it helps shape our future leadership. If you are interested in serving or would like to learn more, please reach out to us at mwcpresident@arcsfoundation.org—we would love to have you involved.

And now, the countdown is on for our Scholar Awards Reception! This keystone event for our chapter will be held on Thurs, Oct 23 at the acclaimed National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. We are grateful to the Academy for allowing us to host our event at their esteemed venue.

This year, we are especially thrilled to welcome our keynote speaker, Dr. Kristen Bloschock, a distinguished ARCS MWC Scholar Alumna. She will share the impact of her ARCS Award on her studies and career, inspiring both our current scholars and members alike. Thanks to our generous SAR sponsors, ticket prices remain at $75 again this year. Please be sure to RSVP soon so we can plan accordingly—and hopefully arrange some carpools. We also encourage you to invite friends and colleagues who share our passion for supporting scientific research.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We’re so grateful for the energy and commitment each of you brings to our chapter.

~ Julie Hohl and Jane Riddle, ARCS-MWC Co-Presidents

Fall Membership Meeting hosts Lorraine and Gary Nordlinger.

This year's ARCS Light, Elli Nesbitt (r), with Julie Hohl and last year's ARCS Light, Anne Wingo.

l-r: Sarah Nordlinger, Lorraine Nordlinger, Julie Hohl.

l-r: Mika Robertson, Julie Hohl, Connie Watts.

l-r: Amy Mykityshyn, Mika Robertson, Connie Watts.

l-r: Sharon Gross, Lorraine Nordlinger, Christine Peterson, Becky Corcoran.

l-r: Mika Robertson, Carolyn Hayward-Williams, Ken Bourque, Elli Nesbitt, Connie Watts, Gary Nordlinger, Anne Wingo, Beth Czaban, Lorraine Nordlinger, Julie Hohl, Lubna Zahir, Patty Sparrell, and Duncan Sparrell.

View all photos from the Fall Membership Meeting here!

The Scholar Awards Reception (SAR) will be held on Thurs, Oct 23, at 6:30 pm, at the National Academy of Sciences. We extend our sincere gratitude to Georgetown University for sponsoring a pre-reception for our scholars and scholar alumni. Additionally, we extend our profound appreciation to the National Academy of Sciences and Dr. Marcia McNutt for graciously hosting us at their esteemed building.

Our featured speaker is ARCS MWC Member and Scholar Alumna Dr. Kristen Bloschock. Kristen is Senior Program Manager within the Card Partnerships Operations group at Capital One. She previously served as a manager in the Digital Transformation Office at Lockheed Martin. Kristen received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master’s Degree and PhD in physics from Georgetown University.

We hope you will join us and bring a guest! Click here to RSVP by Oct 13.

Interested in sponsoring the SAR? Reach out to Jane Riddle at (703) 314-3264 or jriddle13998@gmail.com.

Come join us for an exciting tour of the Washington National Cathedral on Fri, Nov 7, at 12:30 pm. Tickets are limited! Led by an expert guide, this one-hour tour explores the main floor and lower level where much history is located. Easy walking. See the Moon Rock in the Space window, among other historical features! Possible carpool from McLean. To RSVP by Oct 31, contact Charlotte Knight at 630-362–8344.

If you have been an ARCS MWC member for less than 5 years and are interested in learning more are about our chapter, please join us for a New Member Orientation on Tues, Nov 4, from 6:30 pm–8 pm. This is a hybrid meeting, either in-person at a member’s apartment in South Arlington or virtually. Sign up here.

Questions? Reach out to our co-VPs for Membership, Hilary Sparrell and Melissa Rhoads-Simpson, at mwcmembership@arcsfoundation.org.

Don your festive vestments to celebrate the holiday season with your ARCS friends! We will gather at Lynn Dillon’s gracious home on Thurs, Dec 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres and tasty libations will be followed by dessert. Mark your calendars for a fun holiday evening!

After working so hard all year, to do such a noteworthy job promoting STEM education through our terrific scholars, we need to take time to celebrate together in a festive setting with friends. It has always been an evening of great food and laughter.

~ Karen Finkbiner

Email questions to co-VPs for Activities, Mary Jo Ruane and Charlotte Knight, at mwcvpactivities@arcsfoundation.org.

Mark your calendars! Our ARCS-MWC University Visits for spring 2026 are confirmed. These are wonderful opportunities to hear about the breadth of research being performed by our scholars, as well as a show of support!

Mar 18: Visit at University of Virginia

Mar 25: Visit at Johns Hopkins University

Apr 1: Visit at University of Maryland, 10:30 am-3:30 pm

Week of Apr 13: Visit at Georgetown University (TBD)

Apr 23: Visit at George Washington University

Try to attend at least one!

What is the benefit of preserving entire ecosystems rather than targeting individual species’ eradication? ARCS Scholar Alumnus Dr. Anurag Agrawal, 2025 ARCS Hall of Fame Inductee, discussed his work on this issue and others facing science, including the impact of federal funding cuts on research, students, and faculty, during the recent ARCS Forward webinar on Oct 2. ARCS MWC member Elli Nesbitt moderated this session!

Did you miss the event? Click here for the recording.

Susan Trice has been a member of ARCS MWC since 2004 and was sponsored by Vivian Teets. We applaud Susan’s continued commitment to ARCS MWC over the past 21 years and thank her for her continuing contributions to the chapter, especially her participation in so many leadership roles! Her dedication to ARCS MWC is evident from the fact that she was named an ARCS Light!

Susan first learned about ARCS MWC from member Vivian Teets (Vivian’s husband worked with Susan’s husband at Lockheed Martin). Susan was enthusiastic about joining because she has always valued investments in education. She remembers how much a scholarship meant when her husband was in graduate school and, by the time she joined ARCS MWC, how he then worked for a company that valued good scientists and engineers, like those supported by ARCS.

Susan stayed in ARCS MWC because she was impressed by the chapter’s members, including their generosity, their deep intelligence, and the fun they had (the spouses, too). As a new member learning about the organization, Susan was invited to run the silent auction fundraiser. The "ARCS Loves You" Valentine's party was the annual start of the campaign for auction donations. One year, a deceased member’s widower not only escorted all the single ladies who were among his wife's ARCS MWC best friends to the party, but also made a donation to the auction. This generosity proved to Susan that ARCS MWC friendships are lasting and deep! 

Susan was ARCS MWC Co-President during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then VP, Development for the next two years. She remembers that the world suddenly completely changed and chapter members couldn’t socialize to celebrate the scholars, their research, and their universities, or to raise money to support the scholars. But she adds that the pandemic emphasized the importance of the unrestricted nature of the ARCS financial awards. Maybe scholars couldn't use the awards to travel to meetings to present research, but they might use them as a lifeline for child care when schools closed so they could continue their research.   

When asked what she would say to fellow ARCS MWC members, especially newer members, Susan said that when someone called her as a new member to run the silent auction, she’s glad she agreed to do so. She got to know so many members and she was impressed again and again with the commitment they demonstrated towards the mission. She has seen a lot of changes in ARCS MWC while she has been a member but says that the commitment to our mission and our scholars has only grown stronger. Susan says: Contribute your time and talent because our scholars are the future of scientific research and the future of our country.

We welcome our newest ARCS MWC member Robyn Smith! Robyn is sponsored by Michelle Francis. 

Robyn was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Post graduation, she spent seven years at Electric Boat in Groton, CT, working in structural engineering, process improvement, and new business development. 

While on maternity leave with her oldest daughter, her family moved to San Diego. She devoted her time there to raising her two young daughters. Several years later, her family relocated to Basel, Switzerland. There, her volunteer work included supporting a clothing pantry for young mothers, leading a Daisy Girl Scout troop for many years, and taking advantage of the opportunity to travel the world as much as possible with her family. 

Six years ago, Robyn returned to the United States and settled in McLean. She has spent her free time supporting the Langley PTSA, Share of McLean Food Pantry, and her children’s athletic programs. Past leadership roles have included serving as a Family Network co-lead for the PTSA and as Events Lead on the Langley Crew Board. Robyn currently serves on the Board of Directors at Share of McLean Food Pantry, where she oversees the Back-to-School and Holiday programs as well as the Teen After-School Volunteer Program. In addition, she recently joined Shepherd Center as a volunteer driver. These roles have strengthened Robyn’s commitment to supporting our community.

Her daughters are now both in university. Robyn’s husband, Rob, has been with General Dynamics for over 30 years!

Robyn attended the ARCS MWC 55-Year Anniversary Celebration. Her appreciation for the ARCS mission has grown through meeting and conversations with several friends who are actively involved in MWC.

Nicholas Arnaud – Mars Foundation Scholar

1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate, Electrical Engineering



University of Virginia

Research: My research involves designing, testing, and integrating a low noise on-chip circuit for use in detecting extremely faint optical signals. In essence, my circuit converts a weak laser signal into a tangible voltage signal. My work is specifically tuned to aid in quantum optics measurements, yet has broader applications to communication systems and sensing as a whole.

How Will Your Research Benefit Society?

My research will help push the envelope of photonic integrated circuits by improving the fidelity and reducing the size of photonic integrated circuits – taking quantum optics out of labs and onto chips. At its most fundamental level, my research will benefit society through scientific advancement; allowing for more accessible data for astrophysical and quantum optics experiments. At the very least, my research will aid LIGO in their gravitational wave detection.

How will an ARCS Award Benefit Your Research?

Receiving the ARCS award would serve as validation of my current research direction and motivate me to set even higher impact goals. Through the exposure and recognition that comes with this award, I hope to make connections with researchers and mentors outside of my lab to spark collaborations on future interdisciplinary projects.

Career objectives: As a first year PhD student in Electrical Engineering, my long-term goal is to advance the development of technologies at the intersection of electronics and photonics to develop high-performance, scalable solutions for sensing, communication, and quantum systems. I envision myself joining the industry or start-up environment where I can translate my experience from academic research to real-world applications.

Rose Gebhardt – Virginia Wright Memorial Scholar

1st Year Scholar, PhD candidate, Aerospace Engineering



University of Maryland

Research: My research models the fluid dynamics of robotic fish swimming in close proximity to other agents and to apply feedback control to harness hydrodynamic benefits and perform bio-inspired behaviors. By strategically adjusting the swimming behavior of a robotic fish, we aim to (1) modify the trajectory of a vortex near the fish; (2) reach and maintain a desired distance from another fish; and (3) perform rheotaxis, or reorient the fish toward the direction flow.

How Will Your Research Benefit Society?

Compared to propeller-based underwater vehicles, bio-inspired robotic fish can leverage their flexible structures and bio-inspired locomotion methods to move with greater energy efficiency, produce smaller acoustic profiles, and appear less conspicuous. These advantages make robotic fish ideal for a variety of data-gathering tasks without disturbing wildlife or being detected, such as studying animal behavior, monitoring coral reefs, inspecting underwater infrastructure, and conducting intelligence gathering for military applications. Further optimizing the design of these robotic fish will enhance their ability to perform these tasks.

How will an ARCS Award Benefit Your Research?

The funding from an ARCS award will allow me to focus on my research full-time without needing to take on additional roles for salary, which will be crucial as I finish my degree. It will also enable me to attend conferences and meetings in person, allowing me to collaborate with others and build connections that will support my long-term career.

Career objectives: After completing my doctorate, I hope to work at either a university-affiliated research center or a federally funded research and development center. Both options appeal to me because they would allow me to continue a career in research while maintaining a level of flexibility and autonomy, as well as contributing to projects aimed at benefiting the public.

Submit articles, pictures, pdfs, and website links by the 25th of each month for publication the following month to Helen Miller at mwcnewsletter@arcsfoundation.org. 

ARCS^® and its logo are registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office.