 |
|
|
March 27, 2006 — Two University of Virginia students,
My-Linh T. Nguyen and Eliah R. Shamir, have been named
Goldwater Scholars for 2006.
The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees,
books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.
Nguyen, 20, of Fairfax, Va., is a third-year biochemistry major who plans
to pursue a medical degree and conduct basic science and clinical research
with an emphasis on molecular approaches to cancer therapy. She also wants
to teach at a university hospital.
“I am thankful for the moral support as I pursue a career in medical
research
and teaching,” Nguyen said. “I am particularly grateful to
Professor Dean Harman, under whose tutelage I conduct research and who
initially encouraged me to apply to the Goldwater program.”
Shamir, 19, of Vienna, Va., is a second-year biomedical engineering major.
She will seek a medical degree and wants to work in immunology, conducting
clinical and biomedical research in an academic research setting with a
focus on discovering new ways to improve global health and to mentor rising
medical scientists.
“I am very honored and excited to be recognized among such a talented
group
of my peers who share my commitment to making contributions in science,” said
Shamir. “I am so grateful to U.Va. and all my mentors for their support
and encouragement.”
“These students represent some of the brightest and most ambitious
students at the University,” said Michael P. Timko, a biology professor
and University representative for selecting nominees for the Goldwater
scholarships. “Because of the competitiveness of these awards, it
is an honor to be nominated. It shows a level of achievement that puts
them in an elite class.”
Timothy M. Reichart and Rachel C. Klet, both chemistry majors, were honorable
mentions in the selection process. Reichart, 20, of Fairfax, Va., plans
to pursue a doctorate in organic chemistry, conduct research and teach
the next generation of scientists at the university level.
Klet, 21, of Herndon, Va., intends to seek her doctorate in chemistry,
conduct research as a principal investigator in her own lab and teach chemistry
at the university level.
Shamir and Nguyen are among the 323 scholarship recipients announced recently
by Peggy Goldwater Clay, chairwoman of the board of trustees of the Barry
M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Trustees
awarded 323 scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year to undergraduate
sophomores and juniors from the United States.
The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from
a field of 1,081 mathematics, science and engineering students who were
nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. One
hundred eighty-two of the scholars are men, 141 are women, and virtually
all intend to obtain a doctorate in their field. Thirty-two scholars are
mathematics majors, 234 are science majors, 47 are majoring in engineering
and 10 are computer science-related majors. Many of the scholars have dual
majors in a variety of mathematics, science, engineering and computer disciplines.
The academic qualifications of past Goldwater Scholars have garnered the
attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. Recent Goldwater
Scholars have been awarded 63 Rhodes Scholarships (5 of the 42 awarded
in the United States in 2006), 80 Marshall Awards (8 of the 40 awarded
in the United States in 2006), and numerous other distinguished fellowships.
The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public
Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The scholarship program honoring Senator
Barry M. Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students
to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and
engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award
of its type in these fields.
In its 18-year history, the foundation has awarded 4,885 scholarships worth
approximately $48 million. The trustees plan to award about 300 scholarships
for the 2007-2008 academic year.
|
