Reaud Honors Regents' Student Scholar
TSUS Regents’ Student Scholar
ZAID MOHAMMEDEach year, the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System (TSUS) recognizes at least one outstanding student from a TSUS member institution. In addition to a commemorative medallion and board resolution, Regents' Student Scholars receive $5,000 credited toward their educational expenses.
In November 2023, Reaud Honors Biology Pre-Med student Zaid Mohammed was formally recognized as the recipient of the highly coveted TSUS Regents’ Student Scholarship.
He follows in the footsteps of other Reaud Honors recipients, including Accounting and Finance graduate Taliah Belcher (2021) and Biology Pre-Dental graduate Tiffany Tran (2020).
Opportunities that Distinguish a TSUS Regents' Student Scholar
Upon hearing the news of receiving this prestigious honor, Mohammed said, “I am thankful for the encouragement I received from my professors and Honors College faculty—particularly Dr. Thibodeaux—to apply. The abundance of opportunities offered at Lamar University enabled me to accumulate experiences which catalyzed my personal growth and made me a competitive applicant.”
SERVICE LEADERSHIP
An LU Ambassador, Mohammed has consistently demonstrated a passion for learning, innovative thinking, and a strong commitment to community service. He served as an ex-officio board member of the Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Club through the Reaud Honors College’s Stepping Up initiative, and he was a coleader of Community Engagement for the Honors Student Association in 2021-2022. In addition, he volunteers at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and for the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
He also advocated the honors college experience and undergraduate research opportunities as a reality star on Amazon Prime’s The College Tour of Lamar University. He shared how he began working in Dr. Ian Lian’s cancer and stem cells research lab after taking the Honors Seminar Stem Cell class through the Reaud Honors College.
Some key undergraduate research experiences that have shaped his path as a premedical student include: his OUR externship in Dallas at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine; his David J. Beck Fellow research on renal clear cell carcinoma in Summer 2022 where he learned valuable skills and techniques such as CRISPR and SILAC; assisting mentor Dr. Ian Lian’s research on how microplastics affect wound healing; and serving his research peers as President and Treasurer of LURA.
Mohammed says he is grateful for the TSUS Regents’ Scholars Scholarship, which will help fuel his journey toward his dream of becoming a physician. “The scholarship is also a vote of confidence, and I hope to repay the TSUS board’s investment in me by remaining a proactive student who is committed to the classroom, clinic and community.”
REAUD HONORS COMMUNITY
“Along this journey, I've had the chance to connect with Honors College alumni in the medical and healthcare fields, gaining valuable insights. The support from my Honors upperclassmen has also been priceless,” Mohammed says.
Zaid Mohammed will be graduating with the Reaud Honors College’s Class of 2024 in May.
“To my fellow current and future Honors students, I encourage you to consider applying for the TSUS Student Scholar Award,” he says. “By staying engaged in class, being proactive in extracurriculars, and boldly seeking out opportunities, you can position yourself as a competitive applicant for this and other awards. I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing about your exciting experiences in your Honors College journey.”
For more information about the scholarship opportunity