The Henry Luce Foundation has selected David Gilbert '05 as one of 18 Luce Scholars for 2007-2008. Gilbert graduated from CMC with honors in biology. Through this program, he will spend a year living and working in Asia.
Gilbert, one of two CMC nominees to advance to the final round, recently returned from a Fulbright year in Ecuador where he evaluated the impact of over-hunting on the indigenous group called the Huaorani in Yasuni National Park. Gilbert's findings were so significant that he was asked to consult with Ecuador's Ministry of the Environment.
Following his return to the United States, Gilbert has been busy co-writing an article for a conservation journal and establishing a Web site to encourage support for the Huaorani.
The Luce Foundation was established in 1936 by Henry Luce, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc. One of the foundation's major purposes is to promote understanding between the Asia and the United States. The Luce Scholars program, created in 1974, speaks directly to this goal.
"The program provides future American leaders who are not familiar with Asia an in-depth experience in the region," says assistant professor of government Ken Miller, CMC's Luce faculty liaison.
Gilbert hopes to pursue his interest in conservation through a placement in the Mekong region.
Julia Masnik '08