Two Lafayette Students Win Top STEM Research Scholarships

Two Lafayette College students are joining an elite group of undergraduate researchers after winning 2025 Goldwater Scholarships, one of the nation's most competitive awards for aspiring scientists.

The scholarship recognizes students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This year's Lafayette winners are headed toward impressive futures: one dreams of becoming a physician-scientist specializing in reproductive medicine, while the other is pursuing a career in geological research.

For the aspiring physician-scientist, the scholarship means more than money for senior year. It includes free MCAT test prep materials and opens doors to competitive M.D.-Ph.D. programs. But the biggest win? Recognition as part of a community known for producing STEM leaders.

The geology student sees it as validation that years of hard work have earned a place in the scientific community. The application process itself helped clarify career goals and built skills that will last a lifetime.

Both students credit Lafayette's commitment to undergraduate research as the foundation of their success. Small class sizes mean direct access to professors who become genuine mentors, not distant lecturers. State-of-the-art labs in the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center give students hands-on experience usually reserved for graduate programs.

Why This Inspires

Behind every scholarship application sits countless hours of failed experiments, late-night data analysis, and moments of self-doubt. These students learned to push through setbacks with guidance from dedicated faculty mentors who believed in their potential.

Assistant Professor Casey Schmidt, who mentored the biology student, exemplifies what makes Lafayette special. She supported her student through every poster presentation, every failed experiment, and every breakthrough. Associate Professor Tamara Carley provided similar inspiration for the geology student, making enthusiasm for science contagious.

Programs like EXCEL Scholars make these research opportunities accessible to undergraduates who might not find them at larger universities. The result? Students graduate not just with degrees, but with real scientific contributions and confidence to tackle complex problems.

Both winners emphasized an important lesson from their research journeys: celebrate the wins. After learning to bounce back from failures, they're taking time to appreciate this milestone as recognition of their dedication to science and health care.

Their success proves that with the right support system, undergraduate students can compete at the highest levels of scientific research.