Three Jefferson State students were recently announced as recipients of prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarships. From an estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors, 1,267 natural science, engineering and mathematics students were nominated by 427 academic institutions to compete for 2023 Goldwater Scholarships.
The three Jefferson State students are among 413 recipients nationwide, and among 10 from institutions in Alabama.
“Receiving this scholarship and being named a Goldwater Scholar is potentially life-changing for these students,” said Jamie Holley, Division Chair for Math, Engineering, and Physical Sciences. “The Goldwater is the most prestigious and sought-after scholarship awarded to students pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics and is only awarded to the top students in these fields.”
Jefferson State’s 2023 Goldwater Scholarship recipients are:
Jaden Adams
– Field of study: Life Sciences
– Career goal: Ph.D. in physical therapy. Conduct physical therapy research and improve patients’ outcomes by increasing our understanding of the impact of various physical therapy interventions and techniques.
– Mentors: Dr. Ceren-Yarar Fisher, Dr. Erika Womack, Dr. Nicholas Kin
Melody Dailey
– Field of study: Life Sciences
– Career goal: Ph.D. in neuroscience. Conduct research that utilizes optogenetics in the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy.
– Mentors: Ph.D. student Casey Mahoney-Crane, Dr. Evan Boitet, Professor Jeffrey Darby
Chandlor Dobbs
– Field of study: Engineering
– Career goal: Pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and conduct various cancer studies.
– Mentors: Dr. Mary Katheryn Sewell-Loftin, Dr. James Wyss, Ms. Arlene Bulger
The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.
The characteristics the Foundation seeks in a Goldwater Scholar include:
- Strong commitment to a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
- Effective display of intellectual intensity in the sciences, mathematics and engineering.
- Potential for a significant future contribution to research in their chosen field.
Goldwater Scholars have gone on to win an impressive array of prestigious post-graduate fellowships, among which are the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship, Hertz Fellowship, DOE Computation Science Graduate Fellowship, and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship.
“I am so proud of Jaden, Chandlor, and Melody,” said Nicholas Kin, associate dean for Jefferson State’s St. Clair-Pell City Campus and Bridges to Baccalaureate Coordinator. “It’s great to see their hard work and dedication recognized with a Goldwater Scholarship. All three students participated in our NIH-funded Bridges to the Baccalaureate summer research program. Coupling that experience with a Goldwater Scholarship will further support their goals of obtaining advanced degrees in STEM-related fields.
“Goldwater Scholarship recipients have a long history of both academic and career success. I’m excited to continue supporting their academic goals and to see all the amazing things they will accomplish in their careers.”
Each Goldwater Scholar annually receives an amount equal to the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board minus the amount of support provided for by other sources, up to a maximum of $7,500 per full academic year. Scholars who receive the award as sophomores can expect to receive support for a maximum of two years (four semesters) or until graduation, if sooner. Scholars who receive the award as juniors can expect to receive support for a maximum of one year (two semesters) or until graduation, if sooner.
For more information, visit goldwaterscholarship.gov.
About the 2023 Goldwater Scholarship recipients
“The Department of Defense’s continued partnership with the Goldwater Foundation ensures we are supporting the development of scientific talent essential to maintaining our Nation’s competitive advantage,” said Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, Acting Deputy Director of Research, Technology and Laboratories, who oversees the NDEP program, as he explained the partnership. With the 2023 awards, this brings the number of scholarships awarded since 1989 by the Goldwater Foundation to 10,283.
Of students who reported, 197 of the Scholars are men, 203 are women, and virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. as their highest degree objective. Forty-eight Scholars are mathematics and computer science majors, 308 are majoring in the natural sciences, and 57 are majoring in engineering. Many of the Scholars have published their research in leading professional journals and have presented their work at professional society conferences.
The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent under-graduate award of its type in these fields.
