Brinkley-Lane Scholar: Clara Lage
Clara Ferreira Lage may not know the specific job she wants, but the incoming East Carolina University Brinkley-Lane Scholar is sure of one thing.
“Above all, I want to dedicate my career to developing technologies that benefit society and have a positive impact on people’s lives,” Lage said.
In a way, she has already started on that career path. In high school, she volunteered to be on a team that created robotics projects for children.
After noticing a blind student in her high school struggle to participate fully in computer classes, she and a group of others developed the Pluto Project, a Braille display that allows blind individuals to read and interact with digital content. Though the technology already existed, her group created a less expensive option that would be affordable to schools.
“After a year of development, the technology we created is 79% cheaper than the commercial version of Braille displays, making them significantly more affordable for our community,” she said.
Lage grew up in Brazil, born in Belo Horizonte but now a resident of Contagem. The incoming freshman also spent some time in Canada during the past year as she strengthened her understanding of English in preparation for attending ECU.
“I chose ECU because it offers the best of both worlds: the opportunities of a large university, including research and sporting events, along with a welcoming and engaged community,” she said.
Housed in the Honors College, the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Both in-state and out-of-state recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and high impact experiences. Included in the scholarship is the ability to explore the world and pursue additional educational opportunities with a $5,000 study abroad stipend and a $3,000 enrichment scholarship. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
“As a Brinkley-Lane Scholar, I am honored to join such an incredible cohort and eager to learn from each of them,” Lage said. “More than anything, being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar is a unique opportunity to serve others and help make both the ECU community and the world beyond a little better every day.”
She plans to major in software engineering but may also consider engineering.
“I completed an integrated technical program in electronics during high school, which gave me the opportunity to explore engineering in greater depth,” Lage said. “Because of that, I believe my background in hardware, combined with a degree in software engineering, will make me a more well-rounded and capable professional.”
Lage said she’ll spend the summer in Brazil with family before coming to ECU, where she plans to get involved with campus activities.
“I’m eager to get involved in research in applied engineering, while also joining the women’s soccer club, participating in robotics competition teams and science fairs, and possibly exploring other sports,” she said.
“More than anything, being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar is a unique opportunity to serve others and help make both the ECU community and the world beyond a little better every day.”
High school: Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG)
Intended major: Software engineering
Current City: Contagem, Brazil