Three Stony Brook Scholars Honored with Zonta Women in STEM Awards

Three Stony Brook University students have been recognized by the Zonta Club of Suffolk County for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Sagarika Srivastava, Polina Bragina and Antonia Truta were named recipients of the club's Zonta Women in STEMAwards, part of the Zonta Award program that celebrates women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are advancing innovation and discovery in STEM fields.

Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy. With more than 28,000 members across 63 countries, Zonta supports local and international service projects and scholarship programs that expand access to education and leadership opportunities for women. The Suffolk County chapter advocates for gender equality, works to end human trafficking and gender based violence, and provides scholarships that encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM and leadership.

Srivastava, a fifth-year doctoral student in the Technology, Policy, and Innovation programin the Department of Technology and Society, conducts research that focuses on solid waste management, examining the environmental impacts of paper disposal and recycling in the United States.

"My research has four interconnected areas," Srivastava explained. "To validate the EPA material flow model for paper disposal, to evaluate the environmental impacts of paper waste disposal through life cycle assessment, to assess the material recovery facility performance metrics related to paper recycling, and to discuss the role of information in municipal solid waste policy generation in the US and how differences in data may change perceptions surrounding these policies."

She discovered the scholarship through an online search and felt connected to the mission. "I immediately felt it aligned with my interest for supporting and uplifting women in STEM fields," she said. "My ordeals as a young girl, brought up in a developing nation with extreme cultural gender imparity, has guided me to believe education and mentorship can empower change. Through my own contributions to the field of solid waste management, I am motivated to cultivate an environment for women to seek opportunities in STEM and this award is an important milestone in that journey."

Bragina, who graduated in December 2025 with a degree in mechanical engineering, was also a member of the WISE Honors Program. Her academic work included heavy ion particle collider research and polymer sensing, experiences that strengthened her analytical and problem solving skills.

Bragina now works as a field engineer at Gilbane, a construction and real estate development firm, where she supports daily field operations and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on large scale construction projects.

"The Zonta award is especially meaningful to me because it recognizes both academic excellence and leadership potential, and it motivates me to continue advancing in spaces where women are still underrepresented, particularly in engineering and construction," Bragina said.

Truta, a sophomore biochemistry major and a member of the WISE Honors Program, learned about the opportunity through a WISE email.

"Winning this award feels like a vote of confidence in me and my work, and I am very grateful for the recognition," she said. "It inspires me to keep pursuing my career goals in research and medicine."

The local Zonta award provides a $500 scholarship and enables recipients to be considered for the Zonta International Fellowship, which grants $10,000 annually to women pursuing STEM fields. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on February 26.