91制片厂

is considered the nation鈥檚 most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, and this year, two 91制片厂 juniors are among those recognized for their outstanding work.

Madison Wood, a junior in the 91制片厂 Honors Program majoring in Earth sciences, has been named a . Emma Clarke, a junior physics major in the Honors Program, received a Goldwater Honorable Mention.

鈥淲hat is particularly remarkable about this year鈥檚 Goldwater Scholarship and honorable mention recipients is the purposeful way in which they have pursued their research interests,鈥� says听Jeanne Sokolowski, director of 91制片厂鈥檚听. 鈥淢adison and Emma have identified and pursued opportunities ambitiously 鈥� both on campus and away. Taking advantage of programs ranging from the UK Fulbright summer institutes to (research experiences for undergraduates) to our own International Research Opportunities Program (IROP), these students have gone after their goals with temerity and passion. It is that focus and determination that Goldwater has recognized.鈥�

鈥淚 knew when I began the application process that the Goldwater Scholarship is incredibly competitive, and it was gratifying to have all my time and hard work pay off,鈥� Wood says. She credits several members of her 91制片厂 community who were instrumental in helping her achieve Goldwater Scholar status, including Sokolowski and professors Nan Yi of the chemical engineering department and Julie Bryce of the Earth sciences department.

Wood was the only college student in the state of New Hampshire to receive the Goldwater Scholarship this year. 听She says it鈥檚 鈥渁n achievement that sets me up very well for a successful graduate school experience and research career,鈥� adding, 鈥淭he scholarship is awarded based on your potential to be a great researcher and scientist, and it really confirms my career goals to be recognized for that. It is both a confidence boost and a high standard I strive to live up to in my future work.鈥�

At 91制片厂, Wood loves being a part of the Earth sciences community. 鈥淭here is such amazing diversity in the expertise and interests of faculty and students, while we all share a common curiosity about Earth processes and a love for all branches of science,鈥� Wood says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always an atmosphere of enthusiasm and collaboration in James Hall, which makes it a terrific environment for learning and being exposed to many areas of research.鈥�

Following graduation next spring, she will pursue a doctorate in environmental geochemistry. 鈥淯ltimately, I would like to have a climate-oriented research career and my own geochemistry laboratory,鈥� she says.

Clarke says, 鈥淚 am very appreciative for the recognition of the work I have done so far and am honored to be recognized at this level. I think we have a great (physics) department, which听has been very supportive.鈥�

Clarke, who is also a Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program and IROP recipient, will model dark matter interactions while working听at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bangalore, India, this summer through her IROP grant. After graduation next spring, she plans to study theoretical and computational cosmology at the doctorate level.

鈥淚n this incredibly competitive pool, our students have risen to the top,鈥� Sokolowski says. 鈥淭he fact that 91制片厂 students are successful is a testament to the excellent STEM education here, willingness of faculty to get talented undergraduates involved in research early and the institutional support of the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research.鈥�

Find out about the opportunities available through the Office of National Fellowships.