Two Judy Genshaft Honors College students, Jack Edwards and Zach Withers, were named 2020 Goldwater Scholars, chosen out of nearly 1,300 students nationally who were nominated through a highly selective process. The scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate award in the country for science research and provides $7,500 for educational expenses and research support.
Edwards, a junior majoring in physics and minoring in mathematics, has been researching in USF Associate Professor David Basanta鈥檚 lab at Moffitt Cancer Center for the past three years. There, he uses physics and computer science to model tumor growth in a way that includes space limitations and considers ecological effects. 鈥淚f we can use ecology and mathematics to model how tumors evolve, it can lead to the development of more successful treatment strategies,鈥� says Edwards, who credits Basanta as his mentor. 鈥淗e is a fantastic teacher and showed me how beautiful evolutionary theory can be.鈥�
Together with Basanta as the supervising primary investigator (PI), and colleague Dr. Andriy Marusyk as second author, Edwards has submitted his work to I-Cell for publication, and it is currently in pre-print for a special edition.
Also a junior and physics major (with a mathematics minor), Withers has worked in USF Assistant Professor of Physics and Medical Engineering Dmitri Voronine鈥檚 lab and USF Professor of Chemistry David Merkler鈥檚 lab for the past three years. Withers鈥� work with Professor Voronine has focused on the energy transfers and quantum affects in nano-cavities. 鈥淥ur investigations can lead to the engineering of advanced new technology and devices,鈥� says Withers. 鈥淭he energy transfer, and our ability to control its intensity, has implications for the improvement of semi-conductors and transistor-like devices.鈥� Withers and Voronine (as PI) have had their work published in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Journal. Withers claims his work with Professor Merkler has led him to consider interdisciplinary research in the fields of physics and biochemistry and was influential in his pursuit of undergraduate research at USF.
In addition to this research, Withers also completed a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) with USF Professor and Physics Department Chair, Sarath Witanachchi. For this work (funded by the National Science Foundation) a team of eight USF undergraduate students worked with Witanachchi to research for five months in an effort to create a new renewable energy source. The goal of this technology was to make additional electricity accessible to rural and tribal villages in Africa. After their research, the team traveled to Botswana for testing. The new device concept doubled the power generation capability for several rural villages.
Both Edwards and Withers plan to pursue their PhDs and enter meaningful scientific careers. They worked with the university鈥檚 Office of National Scholars (ONS) and its director, Dr. Sayandeb Basu, on their research goals and Goldwater applications. ONS works with USF students to identify prestigious scholarship opportunities and craft competitive applications. 鈥淒r. Basu was a fantastic mentor throughout this entire process,鈥� says Withers. 鈥淗e asked the important questions and helped me identify my research trajectory, and explain why I am passionate about this work.鈥�
Edwards also appreciates the importance of Basu鈥檚 mentorship. 鈥淗e said to me once that 鈥榯he application process is the gold in the Goldwater,鈥欌�� recalls Edwards. 鈥淲orking with him on this application helped me to fine tune my future plans and research interests.鈥�
鈥淏oth of these students have such bright futures,鈥� says Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Dr. Charles Adams. 鈥淯ndergraduate research is both valued and promoted throughout our university and I am proud, but not surprised, to see how our faculty and staff have mentored Jack and Zach.鈥�
The two award recipients (tied for the most of any Florida university) bring USF鈥檚 Goldwater Scholar tally to thirteen. Previous scholars have gone on to earn other nationally competitive awards and study at internationally prominent institutions as they work on research projects.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation 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.