Ian and Kathy Leslie Scholarship in Biology

Spring 2025: Current Academic Year Award

The Ian and Kathy Leslie Scholarship in Biology was created to support a promising undergraduate biology major who works diligently toward earning their degree and achieving their career goals in the life sciences in spite of having other obligations such as work or family.

Mr. Leslie graduated from CSUN in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in medical microbiology and bacteriology. He had earned his first Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy at UCLA in 1970. Mrs. Leslie majored in English as both an undergraduate and graduate student at CSUN, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989 and returning to get her Master’s degree in 2005. She worked as a part-time lecturer in the English Department from 2003 until retiring in 2012. Mr. Leslie was hired by the leading biotechnology company Amgen, Inc. immediately upon graduation from CSUN and enjoyed a successful 20-year career there. As a Process Engineer, he led a team with Regulatory Affairs responsible for developing strategic objectives, measurement systems and process controls to optimize the drug manufacturing operations needed to gain regulatory approvals. Mr. Leslie was involved in the production of proteins grown in bacteria cultures, primarily E. coli, to ensure compliance with the rigorous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. After he retired from Amgen in 2007, Mr. Leslie founded and served as the first president of the Biology Chapter of the CSUN Alumni Association. His dedicated efforts were recognized in 2014 when he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award (VSA). Mr. and Mrs. Leslie are exceptionally generous donors to the University. They have established three endowed scholarships in two colleges: The Ian and Kathy Leslie Scholarship in Biology Endowment in the College of Science and Mathematics, and both the Ian and Kathy Leslie Scholarship Endowment in English and the William L. Wilson Award Endowment the College of Humanities, the latter in memory of Mrs. Leslie’s father. The Leslies are also members of CSUN’s Heritage Society, a program that honors donors who have made planned gifts through their estates.

Applicants must be undergraduate biology majors who demonstrate the maturity, personality and determination to have a successful career in the life sciences. The candidate should be a strong student but need not be the highest-performer in the class. Consideration shall be given to students who have significant responsibilities in addition to going to school

Preference will be given to returning undergraduate students who have spent time in the workforce or raising a family.

Applicants:

• Must enroll in 6 units or more during the current Spring term.
• Must be a undergraduate student majoring in biology
• Must have a GPA greater than or equal to a 3.0.
• Must request (2) letters of recommendation via the my Matador Scholarships portal
• Upload: A one-page student resume.
• Applicant materials must include: (1) One letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member; (2) a letter of support from a professional familiar with the candidate’s work
• A one-page essay written by the applicant, describing background, career goals, the reasons for returning to college (if appropriate), and the winding road the applicant has taken to become a biology major.
• Applicants must demonstrate the maturity, personality and determination to have a successful career in the life sciences. The candidate should be a strong student but need not be the highest-performer in the class. Consideration shall be given to students who have significant responsibilities in addition to going to school.
  
  

If selected as the recipient, I agree to write a thank-you letter to the donor(s) and be willing to meet with the donor(s) or designee(s). Both will be coordinated by the College’s Director of Development.*

Should you have any questions regarding this scholarship opportunity contact Dr. Cristian Ruiz Rueda at cristian.ruiz-rueda@csun.edu.

Please note: If you are receiving financial aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview about your individual situation. Any change to your enrollment status resulting in less than required enrollment for any term within the award year will result in a cancellation of your award.