August 29, 2022
Henry Kombol ‘22, an economics major and philosophy and business administration double minor, has been awarded the inaugural StudyLA Pre-Doctoral Fellowship for AY 2022-2023.
The StudyLA Pre-Doctoral Fellowship was created to prepare new LMU graduates and recent alumni for graduate studies through practical research experience. Fellows gain a deeper understanding of how justice-oriented research design and the data it produces can guide community stakeholders to creative solutions for modern, complex problems. Senior researchers at StudyLA mentor fellows into becoming independent researchers heading toward successful careers as scholars in action.
“We’re looking to prepare the next generation of research scholars who are determined to make a difference in the world. LMU alumni have the opportunity here to start their careers in a collaborative space that fosters creativity and innovation and embraces the university’s Jesuit tradition,” says StudyLA’s founding director Fernando J. Guerra, Ph.D.
Kombol brings years of research experience in behavioral economics and economic development to StudyLA. He was as a research assistant to Dr. Prachi Jain whose recent work examines “how stress affects economic decision-making and household bargaining in Kenya.” Kombol was also a member of Divest LMU and ECO Students, two student-led organizations invested in climate solutions that move toward a sustainable future. Kombol plans to travel abroad and do a homestay in New Zealand while preparing for graduate studies in economics and data science.
Kombol will spend a year as a research assistant at StudyLA, providing support in research design and data processing, analysis, and dissemination for several projects. Kombol will also mentor undergraduate student researchers as they connect academics with engaged learning experiences that go beyond the classroom.
StudyLA is one of the leading undergraduate research centers in the nation with extensive experience in public opinion surveys, leadership studies, community studies, and culture and climate assessments. StudyLA awards one fellowship each year. Fellows work full-time as research assistants and apply to graduate programs of their choice by the end of their time at StudyLA. Fellows receive an additional stipend for costs associated with applying to graduate programs.
Applications for the AY 2023-2024 fellowship will open in the spring semester. Priority will be given to candidates whose interest, experiences, and skills resonate with StudyLA’s mission and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access.
For more information about the StudyLA Pre-Doc Fellowship, please contact:
Brianne Gilbert, managing director, at brianne.gilbert@lmu.edu