Ellen Brenner Memorial Fellowship
For professionals, college students, and others who are interested in careers in scientific libraries and archive
The Ellen Brenner Memorial Fellowship is awarded by the CSHL Center for Humanities & History of Modern Biology. Established in 2010, it honors the memory of Ellen Brenner, a CSHL librarian and valued member of the laboratory community for nearly a decade.
Funded through a generous endowment gift from Ellen鈥檚 husband, Dr. Steven Brenner, the fellowship a unique opportunity to support a mentored project at CSHL Library & Archives. Brenner Fellows work closely with experienced librarians and archivists, gaining hands-on experience in a collaborative environment while contributing to the preservation and interpretation of the history of modern biology.
Each year, two fellowships are awarded, with stipends of up to $2,000 for either an eight-week part-time or four-week full-time commitment. Applications are welcome from individuals exploring careers in research librarianship, science information services, or science archives. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, scientists, medical professionals, library science students and graduates, historian of life sciences, and other professionals interested in pursuing careers in scientific libraries and archives.
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Ellen Brenner was a reference librarian at the 黑料吃瓜资源 Library and Archives. She upheld the highest standards of excellence in her work, while bringing warmth and sincerity to everyone with whom she worked. She had extensive knowledge of medical and science literature, having worked as a reference librarian at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Health Sciences Library, the Milton Helpern Library of Legal Medicine, and at the Cornell University Medical College Library. Her professional contributions led to significant growth of the CSHL Library鈥檚 programs and services. This memorial is a testament to Ellen鈥檚 understanding of the important interactions between libraries and scientists in the advancement of knowledge.
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to library professionals at any career stage, library science graduate students, and anyone with a career in science or medicine who is eager to transition toward work as a science librarian, archivist, or informationist.
Application Deadline
Applications may be submitted at any time. They will be considered on an ongoing basis.
Award terms
Ellen Brenner Memorial Fellowships requires a commitment of working part-time (8 weeks) or full-time (4 weeks). Recipients will receive a $2,000 stipend. Fellows will be supervised in projects related to either the library or archives.
Ellen Brenner Library Fellows will gain experience utilizing scientific resources, as well as work on projects that expand the Library鈥檚 reference services and strengthen its bond with the CSHL scientific community. Library Fellows may also work on special projects relating to the development of science libraries in the 21st century. To learn more about the Library collections and holdings, please visit our Library Resources information page.
Ellen Brenner Archives Fellows will gain experience working with collections related to the history of CSHL and the history of molecular biology and biotechnology, including both institutional records and manuscripts of prominent scientists in these fields. Archives Fellows will work on projects that are currently underway in the CSHL Archives and the Genentech Center for the History of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Topic areas include digitization, oral history, archives processing, and metadata creation. To learn more about the Archives collections and holdings and The Genentech Center for the History of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, please visit our Archives information page.
Ellen Brenner Fellows are expected to submit a brief written report on their work at the conclusion of their fellowship.
The stipend may be used for any purpose, including local travel and living expenses while in residence or working at CSHL.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Applications should be submitted electronically via email to [email protected]. Please attach all documents in PDF, DOC, or DOCX formats, with a very brief cover letter in the body of the email. Please format the subject line of your application email as 鈥淓llen Brenner Memorial Fellowship Application, [Year], [Your Name]鈥�
A complete application package must include the following:
- The Ellen Brenner Application Form (pdf).
- A statement of purpose
- A curriculum vitae. Please include undergraduate and graduate education, dates of study, areas of study, publications, and previous or current fellowships, grants, and awards.
Once under consideration for the Ellen Brenner Memorial Fellowship, applicants may also be asked to provide references or letters of recommendation.
The statement of purpose should be 500-1000 words in 12-point font, double-spaced. It should include a description of your career goals and an explanation of the importance of the fellowship both in relation to your own career goals and the broader discipline.
The selection of Ellen Brenner Memorial Fellows is based on CSHL鈥檚 determination of:
- Motivation to pursue professional development activities in the areas of science, library and information science, and archives management.
- Evidence of the applicant鈥檚 ability to succeed as a science librarian or archivist.
If you have any questions about applying, please contact Ms. Tricia Loria: (516) 367-5020 or [email protected].
| Year | Recipient | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Joseph Landolfi | University of Buffalo, MA Information & Library Science; Queens College, BA English |
| 2024 | Ofelia Chen | LIU Palmer School, MSLIS and Certificate of Advanced Study in Archives and Records Management; Universidad Santa Maria La Antigua de Panama, BA Architecture |
| 2023 | Coleen Higgins | LIU Palmer School, MS Library & Information Science; SUNY New Paltz, BA in English Language and Literature |
| 2023 | Caroline Williams | California Polytechnic State University, BA Philosophy |
| 2022 | Clare Tonks | University of Edinburgh, PhD History; Columbia University, MA in History and Literature; The George Washington University, BA English Literature and Psychology |
| 2020 | Antoinette Sutto | Harvard University, BA History; Princeton University, PhD History |
| 2020 | William Clyde | Long Island University, BFA Photography; Masters of Library and Information Science |
| 2019 | Mirielle Lopez-Guzman | University of North Carolina, Marine Biology; University of California, Molecular and Cell Biology |
| 2019 | Siddharth Satishchandran | Oregon State University, MA History of Science; Florida Atlantic University, BA Liberal Arts |
| 2019 | Alec Israeli | Princeton University |
| 2014 | Kathleen Darby | |
| 2014 | Matt Covey | |
| 2013 | Brian Soldo | |
| 2013 | Mona Ramonetti | Queens College, MLS |
| 2012 | Connor Flatz | |
| 2012 | Amy Driscoll | |
| 2011 | Judith Wieber | |
| 2011 | Stephanie Fernandez |