Vet grad sets off for Mongolia

Amanda Fine, a 1997 graduate of Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine, will travel to Mongolia in September to spend a year as a fellow at the Veterinary Research Institute in Ulaan Bator. Fine, from Bristol, Pa., is one of only 17 winning applicants selected as a Luce Scholar for the 1998-1999 year from among 125 to 130 candidates. The highly competitive international fellowship, established by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974, "enables young Americans of exceptional promise to live and work in nations throughout east and southeast Asia for one year." "The goal of the Luce Scholars program is to create greater understanding of the cultures of Asia among young men and women who will assume leading roles in American society," said Henry Luce III, chairperson and CEO of the foundation, in a recent statement. The Luce Scholars will leave for Asia in September, taking with them a basic stipend and cost of living allowance, as well as expenses for language study and travel. Fine received her bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa., in 1993 before coming to the University. And Fine is no stranger to the kind of first-hand research in which she will take part in Mongolia. In fact, she has been involved in several outside research projects during and prior to her years at Penn. In 1992, She spent four months in South Africa at the University of Pretoria School of Veterinary Medicine where she conducted research on parasites of importance to the livestock industry. And her interest in animal life apparently developed when she was a child, helping to herd sheep and goats in rural communities of Jerusalem and the West Bank, where her parents were involved in relief work. Before coming to Penn, Fine worked during the summers with researchers in the Vet School. Francis Ashton, a research associate in cellular and developmental biology, said Fine seemed particularly interested in large animal and wild animal veterinary medicine. "She was extremely good at everything she did," Ashton said. "I'm sure that she'll find Mongolia very interesting." Ashton, whose research focuses on parasitic worms, also added that Fine is now at the University studying the Mongolian language in preparation for her upcoming departure. Although Fine could not be reached for comment yesterday, she expressed her anticipation in a recent statement. "I envision the Luce Scholars Program as a year in which I may begin to determine what role I will play as a veterinarian in our global community," she said. Sixty-seven colleges and universities across the United States submitted nominations to the program this year. The scholars are chosen through a vigorous selection process by a distinguished committee. The San-Francisco-based Asia Foundation, which has field representatives in Asian capitals, administers the Asian aspects of the program under a cooperative agreement with the Luce Foundation. The Henry Luce Foundation itself was established in 1936 by the late Henry Luce, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc. With assets of more than $700 million, the foundation supports programs focusing on American art, Asia, higher education, public affairs, theology, and women in science.

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