Au H2O
Goldwater Scholarship results are in. Of our four allotted nominees, we had 3 winners (!) and one honorable mention.  I’m pretty sure UConn hasn’t had a year like this before. And they all found out, coincidentally, right in front of the visiting rep from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
Our 2009 Goldwater Scholars are:
•    Michael Abramczyk, a junior physics and philosophy major who studies quantum chromodynamics with Dr. Tom Blum.  Michael hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Physics, conduct research in particle and field theory and teach at the university level.
•    Kevin Burgio, a junior ecology and evolutionary biology major who studies avian conservation with Dr. Margaret Rubega. Kevin’s goals include a Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or Conservation Biology, to conduct research in avian conservation and teach at the university level.
•    Alex Meekse, a molecular and cell biology major who studies immunology with Dr. Adam Zweifach. Alex intends to earn a Ph.D. in Immunology, conduct research exploring molecular adaptive immunity, and teach at the university level
Our 2009 Goldwater Honorable Mention is:
•    Rory Coleman, a junior molecular and cell biology major who studies human embryonic stem cells with Dr. David Goldhamer
Seated, Michael Abramczyk, left and Kevin Burgio. Standing, Alex Meeske, left, and Rory Coleman. Photo by Frank Dahlmeyer
This year, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 278 scholarships to math, science and engineering sophomores or juniors across the country. UConn nominated these four students (each institution may nominate four) for their achievements and promise. 73 Goldwater Scholars have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars and 102 have become Marshall Scholars. The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the U.S. conferred upon undergraduates studying the sciences.
