Let the research begin for EA's newest group of Lilley Fellows! In February, the Lilley Fellowship faculty committee approved the selection of five Upper School students as 2025 Lilley Fellows, all of whom are "to be commended for their originality, academic tenacity, and creativity," said Director of Libraries and Lilley Fellowship Coordinator Lorie Harding. "I also would like to express my appreciation for each applicant, as this was our largest pool in terms of applicants and talent."
Grace Christie '27 will work to develop a free accessible website utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to help tutor children with dyslexia. The focus of her project is to explore how artificial intelligence can be used to make a difference in the world, and the possibilities of revolutionizing the way dyslexia is addressed in modern day education. Her project is motivated by personal experience with her sister's struggles and the high cost of specialized tutoring for these young children. The platform will be tested through partnerships comparing outcomes between students and working with experts in the field. The ultimate goal is to create lasting change by providing this free program in schools creating equal educational opportunities for all children with dyslexia, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Computer Science and Engineering Department Chair Matt Memmo, Hon. will serve as Grace’s mentor.
Danity Pike '27 will address gender disparity in classical and jazz music composition in her project. By working with the Luna Composition Lab Fellow, she plans to consult with established composers, music educators, and programs supporting gender-marginalized musicians. Her project involves creating 90-minute educational workshops for elementary and middle school students, focusing on diverse composers and hands-on composition experience with the goal of establishing it as an annual platform for emerging gender-marginalized composers. Dainty aims to break the cycle of underrepresentation by engaging youth in composition earlier and providing them with diverse role models in classical and jazz music. Middle and Upper School Band Director Ryan Dankanich, Hon. will serve as Danity’s mentor.
Kamau Kegler '27 will study Philadelphia's substance abuse crisis, with a particular focus on xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer that has emerged as a dangerous street drug resistant to traditional overdose treatments like naloxone. Through interviews and shadowing medical professionals at Lankenau Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania, he hopes to learn about treatment procedures for distinctive soft tissue wounds and document the challenges healthcare workers face when treating xylazine-related complications. His final project will be a documentary to raise awareness about xylazine's dangers while exploring potential improvements in treatment strategies and addressing stigmas surrounding wound treatment for substance users. Upper School Science Teacher Jenn Jones will serve as Kamau’s mentor.
Grace Schoenstein '26 plans to research and develop bio-based leather alternatives using mycelium (mushrooms) as a more sustainable option than traditional and faux leathers. The project involves extensive research with university textile labs and experts, setting up an experimental lab at The Episcopal Academy to grow and test mycelium-based materials, interviewing retailers and organizations involved in sustainable fashion and documenting their findings. She will create and display sample clothing and culminate her project working with the school community in a number of endeavors and the development of a sustainability-focused May Term program in Spring 2026.
Mr. Smith will serve as Grace’s mentor.
Daniel Adibi '26 will research the challenges that refugee students face in the School District of Philadelphia through surveys and interviews at the Nationalities Service Center (NSC), where he will intern this summer. Using thematic analysis, they will analyze approximately 15 in-depth interviews and survey results to identify key barriers and themes in refugee student integration. The findings will be compiled into an academic manuscript with specific policy recommendations and presented to the School District of Philadelphia stakeholders, aiming to improve support systems for refugee students. Upper School History Teacher Kris Aldridge, Hon. will serve as Daniel’s mentor.
The newest round of Lilley Fellows were formally announced in early February during Upper School Chapel. These five students will conduct much of their research from January through August and then present their findings in the fall to fellow students and teachers.
Established in 2018 by Mr. and Mrs. William Lilley III ’55, the Lilley Fellowship Fund awards research fellowships to students who exemplify academic curiosity, intellectual rigor, and scholarly passion. The Fellowship program is overseen by Director of Libraries Lorie Harding, and is modeled after Yale University's Scholars of the House program that ran from 1945-1995.