Caitlin Silva Selected as a 2023 Knight-Hennessy Finalist

Caitlin Silva, an April 2023 graduate of Brigham Young University, was selected as a finalist for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship at Stanford University. Each year, the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship grants funding for a select, multidisciplinary group of graduate students with the aim of preparing them to be visionary, collaborative, and courageous leaders who give attention to the world’s complicated challenges. Silva received her undergraduate degree in genetics, genomics, and biotechnology from the College of Life Sciences. She has spent countless hours studying, working, and conducting research in her field, in addition to her involvement in extracurricular activities and organizations, such the BYU Pre-Genetic Counseling Club and BYU Life Sciences Student Council.

Photo by Mary Jolley

Photo by Mary Jolley

“Caitlin, with her intelligence and deep compassion, will make great contributions to any endeavor she pursues,” said Audrey Hanks, from the BYU office of National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships. “I look forward to the impact she will make in the world, both for individuals whose lives she touches and the organizations and policies she influences.”

In a recent interview, Silva discussed her background, her time at BYU, her experience applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, and her future goals and aspirations.

Q. How did you decide to pursue the study of genetics?

A. My two younger sisters have the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF), so I have experienced first-hand what it is like for a family to be affected by a genetic condition. Since I was young, I have been extensively involved in my sisters’ medical care. Initially, I would attend their doctor’s appointments with them so they would have a friend to talk to and a hand to hold during the more difficult medical examinations. As I learned more about CF and the way it affected the day-to-day life of my sisters and our family, I felt inspired to make a difference in the lives of families like mine that were also affected by CF. Locally, I supported the fundraising efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nationally, I advocated on behalf of CF patients through meetings with Utah’s Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C. Through these experiences, I developed a passion for genetics and genetic research.

My advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. were particularly meaningful to me. Because of the risk of getting and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria, CF patients are unable to congregate together, and therefore unable to conduct their own group advocacy events. Thus, we as advocates were enlisted to speak on their behalf. As I acted as a liaison between patients and policy makers, I came to understand the unique challenges patients with genetic conditions face. I came to BYU to pursue a degree in genetics, as I knew my studies would leave me better equipped for addressing the challenges and concerns of patients and families affected by genetic conditions.

Q. What are your future plans?

A. I am currently applying to master’s programs in genetic counseling, as my dream career is to become a genetic counselor. There couldn’t be a more perfect career fit for me, as it combines my greatest interests of genetic-related research, advocacy, and clinical care. In my career, I have the goal to add to the current, localized model of genetic counseling a nationalized, telehealth model that will increase accessibility to genetic counselors. Through research and public policy efforts, I hope to improve equity for underrepresented groups of patients with genetic conditions. The incredible mentors I have met through internships with genetic counselors at Johns Hopkins University and the Intermountain Heart Institute, as well as patient-focused research at EVŌQ Nano and in the Davis lab here at BYU, have set me on the path to achieve these goals.

Q. How has BYU prepared you to “go forth to serve”?

A. I am awe-inspired by the way BYU provides a rigorous educational experience through a spiritual lens. On Tuesdays this semester, my learning about our physical bodies in my physiology class is directly followed by learning about our eternal spirits in the campus-wide devotional. I think it is unique and powerful that BYU provides this combination of physical and spiritual learning. It has helped me to recognize the way the gospel of Jesus Christ overlaps in all aspects of our lives and has encouraged me to identify how the things I learn and the skills I gain can be utilized for better serving God’s children.

Q. Do you have a particular experience at BYU that has had a meaningful/formative impact on you?

A. When I first came to BYU, I was impressed—and a bit intimidated—by the incredible students I met. I remember feeling a little lost during my first months at BYU, as I wondered where my place was at the university. I often asked myself how I could contribute to the community when everyone around me seemed to contribute so much already. During my second semester of my freshman year, I decided to enroll in a public speaking class. I enjoyed public speaking and had been involved in extracurricular

activities throughout high school that allowed me to improve my speaking ability. At one point in the class, I was selected as a finalist for the Sloan Speech Showcase.

As I prepared to share my persuasive speech at the showcase, I learned my father had been selected as a finalist for the same speech competition when he was a student at BYU. On the day of the showcase, I stood on the Varsity Theater stage to share my speech. As I spoke, I felt honored to have carried on my father’s legacy; this generational thread of public speaking filled me with a sense of belonging, and I felt like I had found my place at the university. I more fully recognized that my voice mattered, since I, like every student at BYU, had unique talents and skills that could be used to benefit the BYU community. This event shaped the rest of my time at BYU, as it propelled me to find more classes and extracurricular activities that matched my interests. I also felt encouraged to help other students pursue their own talents and interests, which led to me connecting with many wonderful people.

Q. How did you hear about the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship?

A. I have always been interested in attending Stanford University, so I was researching the Stanford University master’s program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling when I came across information about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. Through the Knight-Hennessy website, I signed up to attend an “Online Information Session” organized by the Knight-Hennessy team. From that information session on I knew I wanted to apply for the program.

Q. How did you prepare to apply for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship?

A. To prepare for applying to graduate programs, including the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, I sought out and accepted as many educational, professional, and leadership opportunities as I could find. Luckily, BYU has a plethora of incredible resources for students, such as clubs, student councils, and advisement centers. For me, accepting opportunities often opened the way for new opportunities. For example, my association with the BYU Pre-Genetic Counseling Club led to my genetic counseling internships at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Intermountain Medical Center, as well as my position on the Life Sciences Student Council.

There are three core values that the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program uses to evaluate applicants: independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and civic mindset. To prepare my application, I took time to reflect on my life experiences that exemplified these three values. I also looked for how these values related to my future educational, professional, and personal goals. Finally, since the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program has the aim to inspire leaders, I took time to ponder and write about my own personal definition of leadership. This process of introspection took me a while, but it was extremely helpful in preparing me to articulate my thoughts in my application.

Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU

Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU

Q. What advice do you have for those thinking of applying for the Knight-Hennessy or another prestigious scholarship?

A. Do it! I will be forever grateful I took a leap of faith and applied for the Knight-Hennessy Program. Because I applied, I had the opportunity to connect with and learn from some of the most incredible individuals I have ever met. Each of the applicants and Knight-Hennessy team members I interacted with inspired me to more fully reach my potential. I am confident that anyone applying to similar scholarships would find the same to be true.

Regardless of the outcome, the process of applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship was the most useful exercise I engaged in while applying to graduate school. Preparing my Knight-Hennessy application taught me how to more clearly articulate my experiences and goals, which helped improve my confidence for other graduate school applications and interviews. I feel that it is often through the process, not the outcome, that we learn the most, and that was definitely true for my Knight-Hennessy experience. There is so much to gain from trying, so I would encourage anyone thinking about trying to just do it.

I would also tell anyone and everyone who is thinking about applying for a prestigious scholarship to utilize the National Scholarships office. My time working with Audrey [Hanks] and Amy [McLaughlin]—advisors from the National Scholarships office—was monumental in helping me feel more prepared during the application process. I benefited greatly from their expertise and insightful feedback. The National Scholarships office is an incredible resource that I hope all students can learn about and utilize, as it is evident that the office is invested in helping applicants thrive.

Students accepted to a graduate program at Stanford are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Recipients of the scholarship are offered up to three years of tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and an annual flight to and from Stanford. The first cohort of Knight-Hennessy scholars began their studies in 2018, and each year 70-100 students are selected to receive the scholarship out of thousands of applicants from all over the world. The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship is the largest fully endowed graduate fellowship in the world.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Application opens in early May with a deadline around the second week of October. Those interested in applying may email national.scholarships@byu.edu to set up an appointment with an advisor at the office of National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships.