Sciences students excel to earn Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious undergraduate science awards in the United States. Recipients typically have extensive undergraduate research experience and outstanding academic records.
In 2014, two College of Sciences students earned the scholarship. The one- and two-year awards will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.
Mithi “Mia” de los Reyes | Senior in Physics and Mathematics
Mia de los Reyes attended high school at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and was named a Park Scholar at NC State. She soon began began working on a research project with Dr. John Blondin, head of the Department of Physics. Blondin took de los Reyes, still a first-year student, to Oak Ridge National Laboratory to discuss their results with other scientists.
Last summer, de los Reyes participated in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program with the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. Her mentors were very much impressed with her work and expressed interest in working with her on future projects should she continue with astronomy studies.
de los Reyes currently works with Dr. Karen Daniels of the Department of Physics, and will be working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland for the next two summers. She would like to get her PhD in either physics or astrophysics and hopes to go on to conduct physics research at a national or international research institution.
Eric Alexy | Junior in Chemistry
Eric Alexy started working with Dr. Jonathan Lindsey’s research group in the Department of Chemistry in Spring 2011.
His first assignment involved synthesizing new organic compounds to study artificial photosynthesis. Lindsey said he expected Alexy to work for a full year on synthesizing just one compound, but turned loose in the lab he completed the synthesis in only two months. Alexy went on to synthesize five more new synthetic compounds for the lab group before the year’s end.
“Eric’s level of independence, moxie and drive in tackling this research program is characteristic of a fourth- or fifth-year PhD student,” Lindsey said.
Alexy hopes to obtain his PhD in organic chemistry and go on to conduct research in green synthetic chemistry, a field that supports the use of materials that minimize harmful environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future.
