Our Alumni
The Brown Foundation proudly supports Brown Scholars throughout their undergraduate and graduate journeys and remains a steadfast partner long after they leave Texas A&M. Our commitment extends well beyond the classroom—we continue to cheer on their professional and personal achievements and offer a network they can rely on throughout every stage of their lives and careers.
Meet a few of our alumni.
Danny Volpi PhD Candidate (Robotics and Controls)
Danny Volpi is a PhD student at the University of Notre Dame specializing in Robotics and Controls, has been awarded a highly competitive 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. This esteemed fellowship—offered to a select group of top-tier graduate students nationwide—will support Danny’s continued research in humanoid robot loco-manipulation for medical applications. His work focuses on integrating robotic locomotion and manipulation to address the limitations of today’s service robots in complex environments. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) typically receives over 13,000 applications annually, awarding just 1,500 fellowships in 2025. The award provides three years of tuition support and a generous annual stipend. It is granted directly to the individual, irrespective of institution or specific project location. Danny’s path to this achievement is as impressive as the award itself. As an undergraduate at Texas A&M University, he researched applications for robot manipulation in telemedicine at the INVENT Lab and independently studied robot locomotion by developing an open-source bipedal robot. Danny credits the Brown Foundation with allowing him to get involved with research as a freshman and for letting him explore the state of the art of medical robots at Houston Methodist's MITIE Lab, both of which laid the foundation for his NSF GRFP proposal. His intellectual curiosity, drive, and commitment to advancing robotics for medical use are truly commendable—and his selection for this NSF fellowship reflects both his extraordinary promise and hard-earned success.
Anna Theodore, a Texas A&M Electrical Engineering graduate Class of 2024, is currently working at L3Harris Technologies as a Leader in the RELDP (Rotational Engineering Leadership Development Program). She is also currently a part-time master’s student at Stevens Institute of Technology, earning her degree in Systems Engineering. Through the RELDP program, Anna rotates once each year to different sites of the company. Being identified as high talent early in her career, Anna has had the opportunity to work at four different locations of L3Harris. She has been able to work different roles in Systems Integration & Test, Systems, Software, and RF Electrical. Her work locations have spanned the country, with her most recent move being from New York City to Los Angeles. Anna is grateful for the experience of growing both professionally and personally. Starting over in new environments each year sharpens her ability to learn quickly and establish relationships wherever she goes. She has learned that the most effective way to implement change and improve engineering processes is to foster understanding across her community, among her coworkers. Even with constantly evolving variables, Anna holds this saying from her late grandmother close, “There is no such thing as strangers, just friends we haven’t met yet!"
Anna Theodore L3 Harris Technologies (RELDP)
Reagan Oliphant M3 EnMed Student
Reagan Oliphant received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2023. She earned recognition as an Outstanding Senior Engineering Award recipient at Texas A&M University, a testament to exceptional academic achievement and leadership. Driven by a commitment to innovation and global health equity, Reagan spearheaded the development of a 3D-printed cardiac surgery model and accompanying curriculum designed for medical training in low-resource countries. This groundbreaking initiative secured a $50,000 grant to refine and distribute the model, amplifying its impact on surgical education worldwide. Reagan’s dedication to service and community health is further reflected in their role as a Senior Fellow with the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship. Through this program, Reagan actively trains the next generation of health professionals to serve and empower vulnerable populations, fostering healthier communities and improving lives. Guided by a passion for advancing medical education and patient care, Reagan continues to merge engineering expertise with humanitarian values, creating solutions that bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility and quality.
Carson Benner earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2024. Throughout his academic journey, Carson consistently demonstrated excellence, earning recognition as a Gathright Scholar Finalist and receiving the esteemed Outstanding Senior Engineering Award. He demonstrated his leadership capabilities by serving as the Co-President of the Brown Foundation Freshman Leadership Organization, while his commitment to service was reflected in his role as an Engineering Community of Scholars Fellow. Carson's academic contributions were further underscored by his team’s success in winning the Capstone Engineering Project Showcase (out of 300 engineering design capstone teams) for the development of an innovative autonomous and remote-controlled surgical light. In addition to his academic achievements, Carson was admitted to the E2EnMed Early Assurance Program, underscoring his dedication to advancing within the medical field. He further honed his research skills as a summer intern at the Houston Methodist Summer Undergraduate Research Internship, where he conducted pioneering research at the Houston Methodist Research Institute’s Taraballi Lab, focusing on bone and cartilage regeneration following orthopedic trauma. At Texas A&M, Carson played a pivotal role in the Biomechanical Environments Laboratory, where he contributed to the development of predictive models for hip joint center locations and limb inertial properties. He also played an integral role in designing mechanical testing protocols for evaluating novel orthopedic screw designs. Currently in his second year at the EnMed Program, Carson is driven by a passion for orthopedic surgery. His goal is to restore dignity and independence to older patients through mobility-enhancing innovations that improve their quality of life.
