The prestigious Barry Goldwater scholarship identifies and supports emerging research scientists.
A record five Carolina undergraduates were selected for the prestigious Barry Goldwater scholarship in 2025. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1986, the scholarship is designed to identify and support the next generation of research scientists. Through a rigorous national selection process, the scholarship is awarded to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
Four Carolina juniors and one sophomore received the Goldwater scholarship this year. The award provides financial support as well as connects recipients to a global network of scholars and research scientists.
Clara DiVincenzo is a junior majoring in biology and statistics and analytics with a minor in marine sciences. She intends to pursue a doctorate in marine biology to conduct research on coral biology and teach at the university level.
Sree Elayaperumal is a junior majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in chemistry. Her aim is to earn a combined degree through an M.D./Ph.D. program and become a physician scientist specializing in vascular engineering.
Aryan Kokkanti is a junior majoring in biology and mathematics with a minor in chemistry. He plans to pursue a combined degree through an M.D./Ph.D. program and then work as a university physician-scientist conducting research on chromatin architecture of neural cells.
Yanning “Angela” Liu is a junior majoring in neuroscience and psychology with a minor in chemistry. She intends to obtain a doctorate in neuroscience and then work as neuroscience professor to investigate synaptic plasticity in simple model organizations.
Allison Lydia Owens is a sophomore majoring in biostatistics and mathematics with a minor in data science. Her goal is to obtain a doctorate in biostatistics and then become a statistical analyst and leader in public health.
“The Goldwater scholarship is the pinnacle of achievement for undergraduate STEM majors in the United States,” said Frank Leibfarth, Royce Murray Distinguished Term Professor of Chemistry in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the UNC Goldwater Committee.
“Students who receive the Goldwater go on to make discoveries that make our world more sustainable, improve our health and secure our national defense,” Leibfarth said. “To have five students receive this prestigious award speaks to both their academic excellence and the rigorous, interdisciplinary and research-centered education that Carolina provides its students.”
