Photo by David J Hawkins
Of the more than 4,000 graduates invited to take part in California State University, Northridge’s Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 9, Marine Barsegyan will be singled out for special recognition as an outstanding graduating student.
Marine Barsegyan, this year’s Wolfson Scholar, will receive the top award given to a graduating senior. It is presented each year in memory of CSUN’s first vice president, Leo Wolfson. Not only must the student have an exceptional academic record, but he or she must also have made significant contributions to CSUN or the community through co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
“Being selected as this year’s Wolfson Scholar means everything to me because it belongs to the CSUN community just as much as it does to me,” Barsegyan said. “That includes the students I mentored, the faculty who supported me and the CSUN clubs and organizations that gave me a place to meet like-minded students. This campus taught me that real achievement is never individual, and I will carry this spirit forward as I pursue my MD-PhD, where I hope to conduct research that serves the communities around me.”
Marnie Barsegyan — 2026 Wolfson Scholar
A first-generation college student who arrived in the United States alone at 17 from Kazakhstan, Barsegyan began her academic path with ambition and a profound personal motivation: the loss of her grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease, an experience that shaped her purpose as a scientist and future research physician.
As a recipient of more than a dozen awards and scholarships and graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA in cell and molecular biology, Barsegyan has distinguished herself as one of the top students in her cohort. As a research assistant in biology professor Cheryl Van Buskirk’s laboratory since her freshman year at CSUN, Barsegyan quickly developed into an independent scientist conducting multiple molecular genetics projects. Her studies address fundamental questions in neurobiology, including the relationship between stress, sleep and Alzheimer’s disease using the model organism C. elegans.
Her research contributions have already made a mark on the scientific community. Barsegyan has co-authored peer-reviewed publications, including a first-author paper, and presented her findings at national and international conferences such as the Allied Genetics Conference and the International Worm Meeting. Her work has earned numerous honors, including first place at CSUNposium and the prestigious Presidential Scholarship supporting her independent research on factors influencing Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Beyond the laboratory, Barsegyan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service, mentorship and leadership. As a peer-learning facilitator and multidisciplinary tutor, she has supported hundreds of students in challenging science courses, fostering confidence and academic success among her peers. Her mentorship has inspired fellow students to pursue advanced careers in science and medicine, reflecting not only her knowledge but her generosity and dedication to others.
Barsegyan’s impact also extends into the broader community through her clinical and volunteer work. At Kaiser Permanente, she assists healthcare staff and provides compassionate support to patients, particularly those experiencing cognitive decline. Her earlier volunteer work with dementia patients reinforced her belief that care must address not only the disease, but the dignity and humanity of each person — a philosophy that defines her approach to medicine.
Her leadership on campus has been equally impactful. As vice president of the Women in Science Club, and in partnership with UCLA Health, she organized initiatives such as a campus blood drive to address a critical community need. As an associate justice for Associated Students, Barsegyan helped support and guide student organizations, ensuring opportunities were accessible to others as they once were to her.
As she prepares to pursue an MD-PhD, Barsegyan advances a mission rooted in both science and humanity. She champions the idea that understanding and combating diseases like Alzheimer’s must be paired with compassion for all those involved. She credits her CSUN teachers, mentors and scientists for opening doors on her journey from a young student facing loss to a scholar transforming that experience into purpose.
Barsegyan will be recognized at the Honors Convocation ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, on the lawn in front of the University Library, located in the heart of the CSUN campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.