

The David M. Rubenstein Scholars Program is designed to attract and support first-generation, low-income students financially, academically, personally, and professionally. It was named after David M. Rubenstein, the philanthropist and Duke alumnus who was the first member of his family to attend college.
Juliana Alfonso DeSouza and Research at Duke
Even as a first year student, Juliana has gotten involved in research at Duke by volunteering as a foster parent for Fearless, one of the residents of Professor Brian Hare's Canine Cognition Lab. “This experience has helped me discover a new interest of mine, cognitive neuroscience, and has helped me navigate the transition of adjusting to life as a Duke student—after all, there’s nothing better than puppy snuggles after a long day,” says Juliana.