The NC State University Fellowships Office is pleased to announce that three third-year students have received the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship this year.
Caitlyn Elliott, studying plant biology and biochemistry, Evan Budd, studying physics and mathematics, and Bryce Yang, studying computer science, were each selected as recipients.
Established by Congress in 1986, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation operates an educational scholarship program designed to provide opportunities for outstanding U.S. students with excellent academic records and demonstrated interest in, and potential for, research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
Recipients are college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate the following:
- Strong commitment to a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering
- Academic excellence in these fields
- Strong potential for significant future contributions to research in their chosen field
The scholarship award covers eligible expenses up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. Scholarship recipients nominated as sophomores can expect to receive a maximum of two years of support. Scholarship recipients nominated as juniors are eligible for a maximum of one year of support. NC State can nominate four candidates per year, so an internal competition is conducted to determine the best candidates for submission.
Meet this year’s awardees, who we asked to answer a few questions about their application process and research work:
Caitlyn Elliott
Caitlyn is a third-year plant biology and biochemistry student, and is currently studying abroad in Uppsala, Sweden. On campus, she has conducted plant biology research in the Perera Lab for over three years. Last summer, she completed the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center REU program. Following graduation, Caitlyn hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in plant biology and a career in research.
What motivated you to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship and what does it mean to you to receive it?
I was encouraged to apply for the award by one of my professors, Larry Blanton. I have been heavily involved in undergraduate research throughout my time at NC State, and was excited to apply for an opportunity focused on researchers, but the support of Dr. Blanton and other faculty in my department really pushed me to apply.
I am so grateful to be recognized by the Goldwater Foundation for my potential as a researcher, and that my work over the past two years has come to fruition. The award gives me more confidence in my research and my writing. The support of the scholarship will allow me to spend more time on research during my senior year, and I am excited to see where my work leads.
What are some of the most significant experiences, either in research or in extracurricular activities, that you feel prepared you for success in this competition?
Writing focused on the research I have done and my goal of pursuing research as a career, including applications to REU programs, the NC Space Grant Undergraduate Scholarship and last year’s Goldwater Scholarship, was incredibly helpful in preparing me for this application.
Of course, my research experience shaped what I wrote in the research essay, and my experience last summer at the Danforth Center REU program allowed me to add another dimension to my writing, even though it focused on the work I’ve done in the Perera Lab at NC State. Most importantly, my commitment to my research project in the Perera Lab gave me a very strong knowledge base to start with when writing my essay, focusing on the process of my project so far and future steps I would take.
What do you hope to do after graduation, both in the short and long term?
I plan to complete a Ph.D. in plant biology. My research interests for that degree are plant-microbe interactions, plant abiotic stress and sustainable agriculture. I hope to then pursue a career as a researcher, likely in an academic setting.
Do you have any advice for students who are thinking of applying to programs like the Goldwater Scholarship?
- Work with the University Fellowships Office (UFO) as much as possible, especially if you don’t know anyone else familiar with the scholarship. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Blanton, who is familiar with the nature of the scholarship and its application and review process, in my department as well, but the UFO is a great resource!
- Really reflect on your future goals and research interests before you apply throughout the application process. Try to be precise about your path after graduation and for your career, even if you’re not certain yet. I struggled with this last year when I first applied. It’ll help you be more confident in your application and the reviewers to be more sure of your intention to pursue research, even if your path ends up changing.
- The application process is intense. Give yourself plenty of time, and pick a few individuals to help revise your application, especially the research essay (research mentors, lab members, professors and UFO staff).
- Pick your reviewers carefully, and give them plenty of time! Having applied two years in a row, I think having a recommender from outside NC State really strengthened my application, and I was confident that all three of my reviewers would write a strong letter.
Evan Budd
Evan Budd is a third-year student double majoring in physics and mathematics. He has worked on a research project in theoretical nuclear physics and quantum computing for a couple years here at NC State and on a project in computational high energy physics at Brookhaven National Laboratory last summer.
What motivated you to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship and what does it mean to you to receive it?
I was motivated to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship because its mission of supporting students who intend to pursue a career in scientific research closely aligns with my career goals. It is meaningful to me for my hard work to be recognized and reassuring to know that I am on track towards fulfilling my goal of having a career in research.
What are some of the most significant experiences, either in research or in extracurricular activities, that you feel prepared you for success in this competition?
My most significant research experience has been my internship at Brookhaven National Laboratory last summer through the SULI program. It was inspiring to learn about so many areas of active research while I was able to dedicate my efforts towards my research project. It was during this internship when I started the research which I wrote about for the Goldwater application. Additionally, I have received great mentorship through this internship and through my research at NC State, which has guided me through the research process.
What do you hope to do after graduation, both in the short and long term?
I am planning to go to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematical physics, particularly from an algebraic or topological perspective. Afterwards, I intend on pursuing a career of scientific research at a university or national lab.
Do you have any advice for students who are thinking of applying to programs like the Goldwater Scholarship?
I recommend getting involved with research as soon as possible. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about your interests and form connections with your research mentors. Additionally, think about what you find exciting. Keeping in mind what motivates you will help you persevere through the difficulties and find fulfillment from your efforts.
Bryce Yang
Bryce is a junior majoring in computer science. He was nominated for the Goldwater Scholarship in recognition of his research in the Real-Time Integrated Systems (RTIS) lab with Dr. Zhishan Guo and Ph.D. student Yuhan Zhao, where they are applying deep learning to advance the field of precision oncology.
What motivated you to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship and what does it mean to you to receive it?
I was motivated to apply because I understood what this award would mean for my career in research. I saw the endless accomplishments of previous awardees, and thought having this accomplishment in common with them would set me on a similar path. Having received the Goldwater, I am incredibly thankful to be in the position I am now. Focusing my career on research in medicine is slightly unorthodox and very intimidating as a computer science major, but having the support and validation that comes with this award is incredibly encouraging.
What are some of the most significant experiences, either in research or in extracurricular activities, that you feel prepared you for success in this competition?
Without a doubt, the number one thing that led to my success was the support I received in the RTIS lab. A huge thank you to Dr. Zhishan Guo and Yuhan Zhao, who both continue to support my future in research. At the end of the day, the Goldwater Scholarship is research-focused, so research experience is an integral part of the application. Without having many incredible friends and mentors, I would not have the research experience I do now.
Regarding specific aspects of research which prepared me, I found the key was not only in conducting research, but understanding the language in which research tends to be expressed. Contributing to the writing process and immersing myself in the works of others allowed me to articulate my ideas in a way the research-minded scholarship committee could resonate with.
I would also like to express my gratitude towards Dr. Carlton Moore and Dr. Elijah Meyer for supporting me through the application process. Occasionally, to feel prepared you only need someone who has walked the same path to say you’re ready to take the next step.
What do you hope to do after graduation, both in the short and long term?
My research at NC State has always centered around applications of computer science in the medical field. While initially I viewed medicine as a trivial domain in which I could hone my abilities in computer science, I quickly developed a deep connection to the field, and the potential for positive impact that defines it.
Currently, I am in the last few weeks of EMT training and will be working as one over the summer to get closer to the field of medicine. I hope through this experience I can gain a deeper understanding of what it means to treat patients, enhancing my research in the process.
Following graduation, I am considering enrolling in a post-baccalaureate program to prepare myself for an MD/Ph.D., ultimately with the goal of working as a physician-scientist.
Do you have any advice for students who are thinking of applying to programs like the Goldwater Scholarship?
Of course if you’re even considering it you should apply, but beyond that – don’t be afraid to show your pride in your achievements. To even consider applying to a program like the Goldwater Scholarship, you have come such an incredible distance and should express that in your application. I am confident in saying that these reviewers value your collective efforts over solely where you are today. Good luck!
This post was originally published in DASA.
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