Anush Margaryan and Jeff (Ping Yen) Tsai received Projects for Peace grants that allowed them to engage in STEM and conservation endeavors this past summer. Projects for Peace awards $10,000 to students who develop grassroots projects focused on resolving conflict and maintaining peace.

Margaryan, a senior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, ran a STEM camp for refugees in her hometown of Avshar, Armenia, and nearby Yerevan. In collaboration with local schools, she organized two-week-long camps for 75 students, ages 11 to 17.

“Whether the students were extracting DNA from bananas, observing their cheek cells under a microscope, building robot-powered washing machines, or growing crystals on cardboard trees, their excitement and curiosity was contagious,” said Margaryan.

Margaryan said growing up in a small village made it difficult to find resources and mentors in STEM, and she hoped to provide this access to displaced Armenian youth.

“The STEM fair also united local teachers, parents, and community members in celebrating knowledge and innovation as students showcased their talents, hard work, and learning,” said Margaryan. “Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn strengthened my commitment to making STEM more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all.”

Meanwhile, Tsai, a junior biology major, spent his summer in Penghu, Taiwan, where he completed a coral rehabilitation project. Tsai, who is from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is passionate about conservation.

“As climate change intensifies and fish catches decline, I want to move beyond pure advocacy work and engage directly with conservation,” he said.

An integral part of the undertaking, Tsai obtained his scuba diving license and joined local volunteers in planting over 90 coral stems. He also engaged with the community to promote environmental peace.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to earn the trust of community members, gain their support, and pave the way for organizing more volunteer sessions in the future. My host sites and I are working to launch a bilingual story map platform to track long-term coral health and raise public awareness of marine conservation,” said Tsai.