Sara Garcia ’25 awarded Watson Fellowship to explore science through community-based research

Sara Garcia `25, a double major in biology and sociology at Grinnell College, has been awarded the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for 2025-26. Garcia will spend the next year conducting community-based research in Kenya, Thailand, New Zealand, Mexico, and Canada. Her project combines her passion for environmental well-being and social justice, continuing Grinnell College’s tradition of impactful, globally-minded projects.

For Garcia, the Watson Fellowship isn’t just another accolade, but the realization of a long-held dream to use science as a tool for tangible community improvement.

“I’m passionate about environmental well-being and social well-being,” she said. “Having the opportunity to pursue a project that I designed for a whole year is an incredible chance to make a positive social impact.” Her hands-on experiences, from summer research at a National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico to volunteering at a private nature reserve in Costa Rica during her gap year before college, have shaped her commitment to environmental research. On campus, she’s immersed herself in projects like prairie plantings near the Harris Center and working with the sustainability initiatives of the Center for Prairie Studies.

Garcia’s Watson project, “Uniting Communities and Science through Community-Based Research,” centers on involving both scientists and community members to ensure that her work is relevant and respectful.

“Community-based research is about involving everyone from scientists to community members,” she said. In Kenya, she will work with partners to provide vaccines to women livestock holders in rural areas. “Providing vaccines is crucial in supporting households where women are the primary earners.”

Garcia’s journey will continue in Thailand, where she will work with researchers engaged with the northern hill tribes, including regions around Chiang Mai and beyond, to address mental health challenges using culturally sensitive approaches. “It’s about listening to what these communities need,” she said.

In New Zealand, Garcia has connected with a leader in health equity focused on reducing disparities among minority communities. Similarly, her work in Canada will involve indigenous groups to tackle environmental health challenges and climate change impacts. Mexico, the final leg of her journey, will see her studying the contamination of the Santa Ana River and its effects on local public health.

Garcia’s drive to pursue the Watson Fellowship comes from a deep-seated passion for making a difference. “It’s the internal motivation to create a positive social impact,” she said. Reflecting on the rigorous application process, she said, “The process is intense, but if you’re passionate and committed, it’s totally attainable. You just have to be willing to put in the consistent effort.” Her advice to future applicants is both encouraging and pragmatic: invest time early, share your ideas widely and don’t be afraid to let your project evolve.

According to Ann Landstrom, assistant dean and director of global fellowships and awards, over the past ten years there have been 14 Watson recipients from Grinnell, and in the past fifteen years, 21 recipients have been named. Since the fellowship began in 1968, Grinnell students are part of an elite group of 86 recipients overall. 

“Grinnell College can only nominate up to four applicants each year,” Landstrom said. “Even though there may be 8 to 22 applicants from the current fourth-year class, many more students express interest.” 

Added Landstrom, “Grinnellian projects have spanned the globe — from child nutrition to environmental sustainability, from soccer diplomacy to political activism — each reflecting deep personal interests.”

The CLS plays a pivotal role throughout the Watson application process. Landstrom describes how the office advises students on every aspect — from reflection and drafting to connecting with potential contacts abroad.

“It’s all about time, effort, and letting go of the need for perfection in the first few drafts,” she notes. Garcia herself benefited from regular meetings with her fellowship advisor, whose guidance refined her personal statement and project proposal. This collaborative support system has been instrumental in helping her navigate the complexities of the application process.

Garcia received the call confirming her Watson acceptance while hiking in the Grand Canyon over spring break. “I was ecstatic — jumping up and down in such an awe-inspiring place was unforgettable,” she recalls.

Looking ahead, Garcia is excited for both the planned and unforeseen experiences of the fellowship. After her travels, Garcia will participate in a returning fellows conference where she will present a 10-minute overview of her year-long journey. However, she has personal plans to go beyond the basics by creating a comprehensive photo essay. This project will document the various community-based research approaches she encounters, serving as both a personal archive and a resource for others interested in innovative public health strategies.