Mara Steinhaus, who graduated with degees in computational mathematics and anthropology, was recognized for her achievements during the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Steinhaus immersed herself in research at ASU, analyzing the skyrocketing rabies incidence in Arizona’s wild animal population, as well as the impact media attention has on disease research funding.
Active in her community, Steinhaus tutors and mentors refugee children at a local elementary school, coordinating the efforts of about 25 ASU volunteers who work one-on-one with the children to catch them up to their peers. Last month she danced for 14 hours, as part of the ASU Swing Devils dance-a-thon to raise funds for cancer research.
In addition to completing two degrees, Steinhaus is graduating summa cum laude as the Outstanding Graduate from Barrett, The Honors College. After graduation she is heading to Johns Hopkins University to pursue a master’s program in international public health. She hopes eventually to work overseas, designing and implementing community-based health programs.