The eight-week fellowship will allow Brosi to continue research through FSU and the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies on maintaining traditional options for women’s health through sustainable harvesting of black cohosh, an Appalachian medicinal herb. Her research focuses on the sustainability of the cultural uses of plants and ecological stability and aims to support Appalachian women’s health, herbal traditions and biodiversity for future generations.

“This project means a lot to me because I really love the ideals of AAUW. AAUW has worked for 130 years on fundamental issues of education, social, economic and political aspects related to gender inequities,” Brosi said. “AAUW has worked very hard to advance women in underrepresented fields including the sciences. This project will enable me to mentor other female students, develop my publication record and bring recognition to my research.”

American Fellowship candidates are evaluated on the basis of scholarly excellence, the quality of originality of project design and active commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities, professions or fields of research. American fellowships support women doctoral candidates completing dissertations or scholars seeking funds for postdoctoral research leave from accredited institutions. AAUW provides one of the world’s largest sources of funding for graduate women and the awards are highly competitive.