Three Washington State University neuroscience students — all with aspirations to improve the lives of others — have been recognized with a scholarship in honor of a WSU neuroscience alumnus who had the same dream.
Jasmin Chu, Katy Touretsky, and Benjamin Wilks each received the Peter A. Zornes Memorial Scholarship earlier this month. The scholarship, intended to benefit exemplary undergraduate neuroscience students like its namesake, was established by the Zornes family to honor the memory of Peter Zornes, of Oakesdale, Washington, who was killed two years after graduating cum laude from WSU in 2003.
“Peter has left behind such a profound legacy within the neuroscience department here. His love for science and research is truly inspiring, so I was ecstatic to have the honor of receiving this scholarship. I want to give a special thanks to the Zornes family for this opportunity,” Chu said.
A pre-med student, Chu conducts research in assistant professor Kristen Delevich’s lab where she’s been studying the effects of chronic cannabis exposure on menopausal symptoms in mice since she practically stepped foot on the WSU Pullman campus.
Determined to go into health care and pursue either clinical or preclinical research, Touretsky is another undergraduate working in the Delevich lab.
For the past year she’s led her own research project investigating the long-term effects of cannabis exposure during adolescence.
She’s eager to explore how scientific discoveries can translate into real-world medical advancements, and while this scholarship is so much more than financial assistance, she’s especially appreciative because it comes when she needs it the most.
“This scholarship holds even deeper significance for me as I navigate the recent passing of my dad,” Touretsky said. “It alleviates some of the financial burdens that have come with this difficult time, allowing me to focus on my education and research. Beyond that, it is an opportunity to represent the incredible neuroscience department at WSU, as well as the Delevich Lab and the EschLEAD program, both of which have played a pivotal role in shaping my academic journey.”
As a member of associate professor Anita Vasavada’s lab, Wilks also conducts research on WSU Pullman campus, where he studies the mechanics of neck movements and strain experienced by military pilots. He plans to pursue an MD/PhD and conduct research at the intersection of neurology and oncology and hopes to find treatments for patients that offer practical advantages.
Like Chu and Touretsky, Wilks said the scholarship is so much more than its monetary value.
“I am truly grateful for this opportunity,” Wilks said. “This scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me — not only because it provides financial support for my academic and career aspirations, but also because it represents recognition of my dedication to this field.”
The scholarship is funded in part by the annual Peter Zornes Memorial Golf Tournament, which is held every summer at the Colfax Golf Course and Country Club in Colfax, Washington. The 2025 Zornes Memorial Golf Tournament will be held July 12.
The Peter Zornes Memorial Scholarship has benefited undergraduates in the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience program since 2008.
