Andrew Kjar Awarded Scholar of the Year

Apr. 12, 2021 — USU biological engineering senior Andrew Kjar was named Scholar of the Year at the 63rd annual Robins Awards.

Robins Awards are the most coveted of all Utah State honors, and the awards night is the year’s most prestigious event. They reward students and faculty for hard work and dedication to their individual goals, as well as the goals of USU. The awards memorialize William E. Robins, a campus hero who had a rare quality to turn his vision into Utah State’s vision.

Kjar is an Honors student who has been involved in multiple research endeavors, including 3-D fabrication for neural tissue engineering, the study of potential bone implant materials, and efforts to formulate a novel drug delivery system for treatment of cytomegalovirus infection.

He has received a number of other recognitions, including an Engineering Undergraduate Research Award and an Honors Research Fund Award. He was also named “Outstanding Junior” for USU’s Department of Biological Engineering.

Beyond the lab, one of Kjar’s favorite experiences at USU was working as a mentor for USU STARS GEAR UP summer camp, where he led middle school students in college preparedness and career exploration workshops. Kjar is also an accomplished bassoonist and has performed with the Utah Symphony, the USU Symphony Orchestra, and the Cache Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as an organist for his religious congregation.

This fall, Kjar will begin a PhD in biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University, where he will research neurological stem cell culture.

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Contact: Andrew Kjar, andrew.kjar@aggiemail.usu.edu