UNC Alumnus Creates First Undergraduate Research Scholarship in Biology to Honor Transformative Mentor

John Brett, a first-generation college student who credits one UNC professor with changing his life, has established the university's first undergraduate research scholarship in biological sciences to honor that mentor. Brett funded the Dr. John Brett Undergraduate Research Scholarship in Honor of Dr. Bill Harmon through a blended gift of his required minimum distribution and estate commitment, providing stipends, travel, and project materials for undergraduate researchers.

Brett enrolled at Arapahoe Community College before transferring to UNC in the 1970s. In UNC's Biology program, small classes and direct faculty mentorship connected him with hands-on field research.

Biology professor Bill Harmon took particular interest in him, leading field trips to the Grand Canyon, the Baja Peninsula, Mexico, and Central America.

"I hope [students] develop a really strong relationship with a faculty person," Brett said. "My relationship with Dr. Harmon was key — [his] willingness to engage in an enthusiastic student was probably the key thing. That mentorship relationship can be really impactful and important."

Harmon's mentorship shaped Brett's entire career. He earned his doctorate in medical anthropology and became an emeritus professor at the University of Colorado Denver, where he prioritized hands-on undergraduate research modeled on Harmon's approach.

Unlike general Office of Undergraduate Research grants, which range from $250 to $1,500 and close for Spring 2026 on February 5, the Brett scholarship is donor-named and tailored to field-based biological research. Specific award amounts, eligibility, and application details should be confirmed with UNC's Biology Department or Foundation.

"Reflect on what UNC meant to you and what you'd like to see happen here," Brett said. "It's not about the amount — it's about the act of giving and the impact it can have."

Through his gift, Brett extends the hands-on, inclusive mentorship that once changed his life.