NDSU has nominated four outstanding students for the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. The students are Cody Ritt, a junior majoring in civil and environmental engineering; Sean Nash, a sophomore majoring in zoology; Bryn Anndi Halley, a junior majoring in crop and weed sciences; and Bridget Eklund, a junior majoring in biotechnology and microbiology.
Established by Congress, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation has a goal to alleviate the shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Each scholarship is worth up to $7,500 annually, and covers expenses such as undergraduate tuition, books, and room and board.
"All four of our nominees have excellent academic and undergraduate research records,” said R. S. Krishnan, senior vice provost. "Each of them is deserving of the scholarship."
Ritt's primary research is water treatment, where he has taken a potentially revolutionary product for phosphorus removal and made it practical for real-world application. His research uses an iron cross-linked alginate biopolymer that can remove phosphate from lake waters and wastewater.
Ritt's goal is to pursue a doctorate in environmental engineering. "I would like to help solve the world's water issues," he wrote in his scholarship application. "I would like to be involved in graduate research … that makes it possible for each person in the world to have the needed drinking water." His advisor is Achintya Bezbaruah, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. Ritt graduated from Wayzata, Minnesota, High School.
Nash is focusing his research on a sepsid fly called T. Biloba. In the laboratory of Julia Bowsher, assistant professor of biological sciences, he has been conducting experiments to determine what effect bristle length has on the reproductive success of male T. Biloba.
Nash's goal is to earn his medical degree or doctorate and work as a biomedical research. "I would like to specialize in regenerative medicine research, with a possible emphasis on the use of stem cells," he wrote in his scholarship application.
Julie Schroer, lecturer of biological sciences, is the faculty adviser for Nash, who graduated from Dickinson, North Dakota, High School.
Halley is working in the laboratory of Neil Gudmestad, University Distinguished Professor of plant pathology, primarily on Bacterial Ring Rot in potatoes. "I have gained an appreciation for the microbial aspect of plant pathology and will continue to further my knowledge in the subject," she wrote in her scholarship application.
Halley intends to pursue a master's degree in plant pathology at NDSU, and eventually earn a doctorate and conduct research in the Midwest. Her faculty adviser is Greta Gramig, assistant professor of weed science. She graduated from Langdon, North Dakota, Area High School.
Eklund is an undergraduate research assistant in the microbiology laboratory of Nathan Fisher, assistant professor, where she has worked on projects ranging from cockroaches to biofilms to antibiotics.
Eklund, who is president of the NDSU Biotechnology and Microbiology Club, plans to earn a doctorate in bacterial pathogenesis. "The experiences have shown me how much I enjoy inspiring others about science," she wrote in her scholarship application. "I look forward to the opportunity to make scientific discoveries by starting my own research program." Eklund graduated from Hill-Murray High School in Maplewood, Minnesota.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was authorized in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served 30 years in the U.S. Senate.
When the review process is completed, the Goldwater Board of Trustees is expected to name up to 300 scholarship recipients for 2015-16 from across the country.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.