By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

HOOVER – A UAB doctoral student recently received a $15,000 scholarship from the Philanthropic Educational Organization after being sponsored by a local chapter of the group.

Eva Clark, a student in UAB’s MD/PhD program, said she was honored to receive the award during a speech to the AK chapter of PEO at an Oct. 30 luncheon at Riverchase Country Club.

“I am honored and humbled by this award and this wonderful, forward-thinking organization,” she said.

Clark, whose studies have focused on parasitology, plans to pursue a career in international health care. She has studied in numerous countries over the years, including Zambia, Peru and Bolivia.

In 2012, Clark founded Kuska, a non-profit organization that helps impoverished Peruvians attend college.

“The object of this organization is to match U.S. donors with Peruvian students via our website,” she said. “Currently we have 10 students who are pursuing degrees ranging from a technical degree in laboratory science to a master’s in ecology.”

Clark said she will use the scholarship to pay for the costs of interviewing for residency positions and to support Kuska.

“These funds will not only greatly assist me as I continue to pursue a career in medicine, but it will also infuse some much needed life blood into a very deserving but struggling non-profit organization,” she said.

Jan Thompson, communications coordinator for the AK chapter of PEO, said the international organization gave out 80 scholarships this year, including Clark’s. Clark is the second student nominated by the AK chapter, which is comprised mostly of Shelby County residents, to receive a scholarship from the international organization.

PEO International and its AK chapter support educational opportunities for women.

In addition to Clark’s speech on Oct. 30, the AK members enjoyed a day of bunko and other card games during its annual “Games Galore” fundraiser. The AK chapter awards several smaller scholarships to local high school students each year.

For more information about PEO, visit PEOinternational.org. For more information about Kuska, visit Kuskaperu.org.