Four student researchers at California State University, Monterey Bay have received scholarships through the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars program. The four are among 77 CSU graduate and undergraduate students receiving the award. Officials said 156 students applied for the scholarship.

The CSUMB students included undergraduates Rosa Acevedo Duran, psychology; Ramsha Iqbal, social and behavioral sciences; and Kimberly “Kimmy” Smith, collaborative health and human sciences. Master of Science in school psychology student Jianshan Chen Khalsa also received the scholarship.

The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential California State University faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. CSUMB students can find out more about the program through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center, or UROC.

The Casanova award honors the late Sally Casanova, who launched the program in 1989. She was a staff member with the CSU Chancellor’s Office during the 1960s. Casanova also served as associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies at CSU Dominguez Hills from 1991 until her death in 1994.