The trust is founded by Japanese businessman and honorary Illinois Wesleyan trustee Kenji Tanaka and honors those who are committed to promoting and improving international relations around the world.Illinois Wesleyan University senior Sarah Takushi has been named the 2013 recipient of the Technos International Prize through the Tanaka Ikueikai Educational Trust in Japan.

Takushi, an international studies and biology double major from Skokie Ill., was unanimously chosen by the International Studies Steering Committee to receive the prestigious award due to her high academic standard and contribution towards raising international awareness on campus.

Dedicating her time to being an active and well rounded student, Takushi has volunteered as an interpreter for Global Medical Brigades in Honduras along with working as an intern at the Western Community Outreach Center in Bloomington, where she interpreted for families from Cuba, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. She has also volunteered her services at the Community Health Clinic where she worked with underprivileged immigrant populations.

Takushi also completed a semester abroad in Ecuador, where she worked with the Comparative Ecology and Conservation program. Her academic experience in Ecuador resulted in the creation of her special project on the local ecology as well as her recent research honors project on current cultural and political issues.

Beginning on June 1 of this year, based on her academic record, Takushi will take part in a special internship that will be in an immunology laboratory in Germany, where she will work on medical issues related to HIV.