Chemistry student wins Goldwater Scholarship

April 9th 2014 Simon Kuran
Awards, Natural & Physical Sciences, Students
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Tong Wang, a junior majoring in chemistry from New Berlin, Wis., is one of four University of Wisconsin-Madison students to win a 2014 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

The Goldwater is one of the country's most prestigious awards conferred upon undergraduates studying the sciences. Wang is one of 283 sophomores and juniors nationwide to receive the award, which is given to students pursuing careers in science, mathematics and engineering.

The one- and two-year scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

Wang hopes to receive a dual doctorate and medical degree in chemical biology in order to conduct research in chemical therapeutics and teach at an academic hospital.

American universities may nominate four undergraduates for a Goldwater Scholarship each year; this year, all four of UW-Madison's nominees were selected as recipients. In addition to Wang, juniors Anna-Lisa Doebley (a genetics major), Rachel Dvorak (biochemistry) and Geoffrey McConohy (engineering physics) won the award. To learn more about the rest of the recipients, read the full release from University Communications.

"We are excited to recognize each of these students for their accomplishments, and we look forward to seeing the continued progress of their research," says Julie Stubbs, director of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Awards. "These honors represent many hours of dedicated work, but also the fact that they chose to do so within the UW-Madison community. We're lucky to have such talented students and a campus culture that supports undergraduate research."

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 in honor of former U.S. Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater of Arizona. Its goal is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.