Jack Kent Cooke Award Semifinalists

Amirjon Abdunayimov ’26, who was born in Uzbekistan, moved to the United States in 2013 and grew up in Brooklyn. He started at Kingsborough as an accounting major but switched to computer science after exploring coding and technology. He is a member of the Student Government Association (SGA), Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, the KCC Honors Program and serves as a volunteer in the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) program through the organization Urban Upbound, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City.

Abdunayimov plans to continue his studies in computer science with a minor in mathematics with the goal of becoming a software engineer with an interest in building systems and tools that make technology more accessible and useful. He plans to apply to Harvard, Carnegie Mellon and NYU.

“Being named a semifinalist means a lot to me because it recognizes the progress I’ve made since starting at Kingsborough,” he said. “It reminds me that the work and dedication I’ve put into my education are paying off, and it motivates me to keep pushing myself academically.”

Urwa Faraz Malik ’26 came to the United States in 2024 from Pakistan and lives in Brooklyn. She credits growing up near an airport for her fascination with airplanes and interest in engineering science, her major here at Kingsborough. Once she transfers to a four-year institution, she plans on continuing the study of physics, mechanics and design systems by majoring in mechanical engineering.

Malik is a Kingsborough Student Ambassador, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, enrolled in the honors program and a student in the CUNY Research Scholars Program (CRSP). Malik was recently accepted into Cornell University’s National Science Foundation-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), a 10-week summer program. She plans to apply to Cornell, Columbia or Yale.

“Being named a semifinalist represents recognition of the hard work and determination it took to continue my education after immigrating to the United States,” she said. “When I received the [JKCF] email and my acceptance to the Cornell program on the same day, it was an emotional moment. I was over the moon, you can say.”

Sophia Turchin ’26 grew up on Manhattan’s West Side and now lives in Brooklyn. Her love of nature and spending time outdoors led her to enroll in Kingsborough’s earth and planetary science program, where her passion for the subject has only grown. She is a member of the SGA, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and the honors program. She recently launched the new student Environmental and Sustainability Club.

Turchin is an Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) student and is currently conducting research as part of CRSP on the mineralogy of the Ritland Crater, located in Norway. She was recently selected for the Physical Science (REU) summer program at the American Museum of Natural History. Turchin is weighing a career in either planetary science or marine geology and has applied to several Ivy League schools as well as Stony Brook University.

“It is incredibly encouraging and motivating for me to have my efforts be acknowledged by the [JKCF]. I hope I can inspire other students to seek out challenges and believe in themselves, especially my two younger siblings who also attend CUNY schools,” Turchin said. “I’m honored to be considered among such ambitious and hardworking students and excited to share this journey with them.”

Myat Khine “Daisy” Zan ’26 is an international student from Myanmar who came to the United States to study and pursue acting. She is the SGA’s vice president of student affairs, a member of the honors program, vice president of KCC’s Theater Club and former vice president of the Film Club. Zan has performed in KCC theater productions and recently attended the American College Theater Festival, which provided her with internships, workshops and opportunities to improve her craft. Zan plans to apply to NYU, Brooklyn College or Marymount Manhattan College to major in theater or performing arts.

“[This] means so much,” Zan said. “Being recognized as the only woman from Rakhine ethnicity [from] Myanmar has an immense impact on my community back home.”