Many students dream of the opportunity to study at a major university overseas. Because of various reasons many do not get the opportunity.

One UW student has been given this chance with the help of a prestigious scholarship — the highly competitive Marshall Scholarship, which pays for postgraduate students to attend a university of their choice within the United Kingdom.

Jeffrey Eaton, this year’s recipient of the award, plans on attending Imperial College, located in London, next year to pursue a doctorate in infectious disease epidemiology. He will graduate from the UW in June with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and sociology, and a master’s degree in statistics.

“Although I have not completely determined what I want to work on for my Ph.D., I hope to do work related to improving HIV projections,” Eaton said.

The research at Imperial College is conducive to the type of study Eaton is interested in.

“My specific interest is in mathematical modeling of infec-tious disease epidemics,” Eatton said. “The department at Imperial College has the premier research group in the world for this type of modeling.”

Eaton said he thinks the next three years will bring both enjoyment and responsibility.

“I think that we have been selected for the scholarship not only for our academic merit, but also for our commitment to pursing solutions to challenging contemporary problems,” he said.

This scholarship will pay for the majority of Eaton’s expenses at the university.

“Essentially the full costs of studying in the United Kingdom for two years — tuition fees, board and lodging, travel costs to and from the United States, and an allowance for books and other study-related costs [are awarded],” said Robin Newmann, vice consul for political, press and public affairs at the British Consulate-General in San Francisco.

The Marshall Scholarship program began in 1953 as a gesture of gratitude from the U.K. to the U.S. for the aid they were given under the Marshall Plan after World War II. Since its inception, there have been more than 1,500 recipients. Each year, up to 40 scholarships are awarded to American students.

In order to be awarded the scholarship, applicants submit an online application, which is then read by members of a selection committee of the region the student is from.

About one quarter of the applicants are then chosen for an interview with the selection committee. In the Pacific Northwest region, four students are offered the scholarship.

In a press release, British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, recognized the honor and benefits of winning the scholarship.

“The caliber of applicants was very high, and those selected will undoubtedly go on to help strengthen the unique partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom,” he said. “I hope the scholars enjoy their time in the U.K. and make the most of the opportunity to mix across the full spectrum of Britain’s diverse and vibrant society.”

Eaton said he realizes how difficult it must have been to choose one recipient from such a large group of applicants.

“I’m not sure how the selection committee is able to select only a few scholars out of the pool,” he said. “But it feels really good to know that others value my work and my potential enough to make this kind of investment in my future.”

[Reach reporter Shannon O’Hara at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]