Nov 05, 2009 - Claremont, Calif. -

Senior Andrey Sergeivich Shur is among 20 recipients nationwide of the 2010-2011 Astronaut Scholarship, the country’s largest monetary award based solely on merit for science, math and engineering undergraduates and postgraduate students. This year’s scholarships totaled $200,000.

Shur, a Los Angeles native, is pursuing a joint chemistry and biology major with plans for a career in biochemistry research. His other interests include robotics, mechanical engineering and drawing. " I plan on pursuing a career as a researcher at a biotech/ pharmaceutical company," said Shur. "I feel that the future is in biology."

The awards are granted by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1984 by the six surviving original Mercury astronauts. The foundation supports the nation’s global leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships for college students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in these fields.

The Astronaut Scholarship is the largest monetary award based solely on merit that is given in the United States to science and engineering undergraduate students. Eighteen of these prestigious awards were dispersed this year through the ASF to outstanding college students majoring in science, engineering or math. Over $2.8 million has been awarded in scholarships to date, over $190,000 to HMC students.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the Mercury Astronauts in 1984. Its goal is to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships for exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. Today, more than 80 Astronauts from the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station programs have joined in this educational endeavor.

Harvey Mudd College is the coeducational liberal arts college of engineering, science and mathematics that also places strong emphasis on humanities and social sciences. The college’s aim is to graduate engineers, scientists and mathematicians who understand the impact of their work on society.