Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients include University of Rochester undergraduates planning research careers in science, math, and engineering.
Named after the former senator and presidential candidate, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship is a highly competitive national award for high-achieving undergraduate science students who are US citizens.
The scholarships are awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, established by Congress in 1986 and endowed with federal funds to encourage the nation’s most outstanding college students to pursue research careers in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Students are nominated by their college or university. Applicants typically rank in the top quarter of their class while demonstrating outstanding research skills, potential for advanced study in their fields, and a strong commitment to the pursuit of research-oriented careers.
Each scholar receives funds to help cover tuition, room and board, books, and mandatory fees. Scholars who are chosen as sophomores will receive support for a maximum of two years, while juniors receive support for one year.
The University of Rochester is committed to research in the STEM fields, which includes preparing and supporting future researchers. Learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship and other fellowship, scholarship, and award opportunities available to Rochester students.
Recent Goldwater Scholars
Congratulations to the most recent Goldwater Scholars from the University of Rochester!
Maria Ahmed ’26
Area of study: Biochemistry (BS)
The Rochester native transferred to Rochester from Rochester Institute of Technology after one year and has been performing research in the Ghaemmaghami Lab since 2023. She is also a teaching assistant in biology and president and founder of the University’s chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Ahmed is a research ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research, helping other students find research opportunities
Wimeth Dissanayake ’26
Area of study: Molecular genetics (BS)
The Rochester resident is editor-in-chief of the University’s Journal of Undergraduate Research, and a teaching assistant for multiple biology courses. A native of Brussels, Belgium, he has been an intern at Yale University’s Department of Cell Biology and a research assistant at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Yeh Lab at the Center for Musculoskeletal Research. A research ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research since 2024, his career goal is to become a physician-scientist with a focus on hematology.
Aashay Mardikar ’26
Area of study: Biochemistry (BS)
The Brookfield, Wisconsin, resident aspires to be a physician-scientist. He has worked in numerous research labs at Rochester and was awarded a Beckman Scholarship in 2024. Mardikar has served as a teaching assistant, workshop leader and tutor for multiple STEM courses since 2023. An accomplished musician, he’s first violinist in the UR Chamber Orchestra.
Marvin Wu ’26
Areas of study: Chemistry (BA) and clinical & translational sciences (BS)
The Cupertino, California, resident has a leadership role in the University’s Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and serves as managing editor of the University’s Journal of Undergraduate Research. His research interests involve using the tools of organic chemistry and chemical biology to develop new therapeutics for humans. He plans to pursue a doctorate in chemistry and become a medical chemist working in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Read more about this year’s Goldwater Scholars.
Past Goldwater Scholars and Honorable Mentions
2023 Scholars
Derek Chien ’25
Areas of study: Chemistry (BA) and bioethics (BA)
Kathleen “Katie” Hall ’24
Area of study: Environment science (BS)
Margaret “Maggie” Scholer ’24
Areas of study: Chemistry (BS) and environmental science (BS)
Hope Silva ’24
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
2022 Scholar
Ellen Irving ’23
Areas of study: Biochemistry (BS) and chemistry (BA)
2021 Scholars
Jocelyn Mathew ’23
Area of study: Molecular genetics (BS)
Kaelyn McFarlane-Connelly ’22
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
Tyrone Nieves ’22
Areas of study: Psychology (BA) and biology (BA)
2020 Scholar
Ethan Fahnestock ’21
Areas of study: Physics and astronomy (BS) and interdepartmental engineering (BS)
2019 Scholars
Natalie H. Allen ’20
Areas of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
Daniel Krajovic ’20
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
Adina Ripin ’20
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and applied mathematics (BS)
2018 Scholars
Allen M. Chen ’19
Area of study: Neuroscience (BS)
Minor: Psychology
Audrey Goldfarb ’19
Area of study: Biology (BA)
Minor: Journalism
2018 Honorable Mention
Fiona G. Nichols-Fleming ’19
Area of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
2017 Scholars
Hayden M. Carder ’18
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
Ryan A. Rubenzahl ’18
Area of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
Minor: Math
2017 Honorable Mention
Bethany H. Gardner ’18
Area of study: Brain and cognitive sciences (BS)
Minors: Linguistics, philosophy, and Spanish
2016 Scholars
Molly Finn ’17 (T5)
Area of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
Md. Tanveer Karim ’17 (T5)
Area of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
Minor: Math
2015 Scholars
Brian D. McDonald ’16
Area of study: Math (BA)
Steven B. Torrisi ’16
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA)
2015 Honorable Mentions
Jonathan B. Curtis ’16
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and applied math (BS)
Madeleine R. Laitz ’16
Area of study: Chemical engineering (BS)
2014 Honorable Mention
Brian D. McDonald ’16
Area of study: Math (BA)
2013 Scholar
Amanda Chen ’14
Area of study: Biomedical engineering (BS)
Minor: Chemical engineering
2013 Honorable Mention
Chantel R. Gaudet ’14
Areas of study: Chemical engineering (BS) and applied math (BS)
2012 Scholar
Vincent E. Yu ’14
Areas of study: Physics and astronomy (BS) and math (BA)
Minors: Philosophy of science and computer science
2011 Scholar
Scott A. Barenfeld ’12
Areas of study: Physics and astronomy (BS)
Minor: Math
2011 Honorable Mention
Mark D. Levin ’12
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
Minor: Math
2010 Scholars
Gregory S. Bentsen ’11
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA)
Minor: Electrical engineering
Nicholas J. Huang ’12 (T5)
Areas of study: Biomedical engineering (BS) and music (BA)
2010 Honorable Mention
Alexander J. Federation ’11
Areas of study: Chemistry (BS) and cell and developmental biology (BS)
2009 Scholars
Patrick D. Sheehan ’11
Areas of study: Physics and astronomy (BS) and math (BA)
Sean M. Virgile ’10
Area of study: Biomedical engineering (BS)
Minor: Biology
2008 Scholars
John K. Golden ’10
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA honors)
Samuel T. Harrold ’09
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA)
2008 Honorable Mentions
Colleen A. Kellenberger ’09
Areas of study: Molecular genetics (BS) and chemistry (BS)
Aleksy J. Mankowski ’10
Area of study: Chemistry (BS)
2007 Scholars
Kristin M. Beck ’09
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA honors)
Minor: Music
Kathryn E. Knowles ’08
Areas of study: Chemistry (BS) and math (BA honors)
Andrew N. Niles ’08
Area of study: Math (BA honors)
Minor: Economics
2006 Honorable Mention
Ferhina S. Ali ’07
Area of study: Neuroscience (BS)
Minor: Legal studies
2006 Scholars
Elise B. Peterson ’07
Areas of study: Molecular genetics (BS) and history (BA)
Stephen M. Privitera ’07
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BS)
2005 Scholar [Heading 4]
Robert F. Penna ’07
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BA honors)
2004 Scholars
Joseph R. Galante ’05
Area of study: Math (BA honors)
Minor: Psychology
Zhuohan Liang ’06 (T5)
Areas of study: Physics (BS) and math (BS)
Minor: Philosophy
Christopher M. Supranowitz ’05
Area of study: Optics (BS)