University of Rochester sophomore John K. Golden and junior Samuel T. Harrold have been named 2008 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars. The scholarship, worth up to $7,500, supports and encourages students to who intend to pursue careers in science, mathematics, and engineering.
The Goldwater Scholarship, which is endowed by the U.S. Congress to honor the late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, is a competitive fellowship for undergraduate students in science, math, and engineering. This year, 321 Goldwater Scholars were selected out of a pool of more than 1,035 candidates.
The recipients, both students in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to research by participating in competitive, federally funded programs that support highly-qualified students to undertake supervised research projects in the summer.
Golden, of Albuquerque, N.M., is working toward a bachelor of science degree in physics and a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics. He is a graduate of the Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque. Golden is a member of the Society of Physics Students and is the recipient of the 2007 Iota Book Award for Outstanding Freshmen, a highly selective honor from the University of Rochester chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for outstanding leadership, campus involvement, character, and future promise.
Golden's primary research interests include theoretical physics, specifically theoretical cosmology and quantum gravity. Last summer, he held a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates internship in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and presented his work at the national meeting of the Division of Laser Science of the American Physical Society, in San Jose, Calif. He spent the previous summer doing research at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico.
Harrold, of Tallahassee, Fla., is earning both a bachelor of science degree in physics and a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics. Last year, he won a U.S. Department of Energy National Undergraduate Fellowship in Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Sciences, which provides outstanding undergraduates with an opportunity to conduct research in the disciplines that comprise the plasma sciences and fusion research.
Harrold spent an intensive one-week study at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and held a summer research internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The presentation of his work there won an award at the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics Conference in Orlando, Fla. He is the secretary of the Society of Physics Students, a member of the Society of Undergraduate Math Students, the Protestant Chapel Community, and the Ballroom Dance Club. Harrold has also co-authored two peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals.
In addition to the two award recipients, junior Colleen Kellenberger and sophomore Aleksy Mankowski received honorable mentions in this year's Goldwater competition. Kellenberger is working toward bachelor of science degrees in both chemistry and molecular genetics, and is the principal violist for the University's chamber orchestra. Mankowski will receive a bachelor of science degree in chemistry, and was also honored with the Iota Book Award in fall 2007.
Since 2003, 14 University students have been named Goldwater Scholars. Sophomore winners receive funding for two years, while junior winners receive funding for their senior year. Each year, 10 to 20 sophomores and juniors compete for the four University nominations to the national Goldwater competition.
Applicants must rank in the top quartile of their class while demonstrating outstanding research skills and potential for advanced study in their fields as well as a strong commitment to pursuing research-oriented careers.