Two University of Richmond Students Win Top National Undergraduate Science Prizes
April 1, 2003
Two University of Richmond students, Kristin Fuchs of Greensburg, Pa., and Brian K. Wyman of Neptune City, N.J., have been named Goldwater Scholars for 2003-04.
Peggy Goldwater Clay, chair of the board of trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, today announced the nationwide winners for 2003-04. The Goldwater scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Nearly all of the winners intend to obtain Ph.D. degrees.
Three hundred sophomores and juniors were chosen from a field of 1,093 nominees from faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books and room and board.
Fuchs, a junior chemistry and biology major, will receive $7,500 for her senior year. Wyman, a sophomore mathematics and computer science major, will receive $7,500 for each of his last two years.
Both Fuchs and Wyman hold highly competitive scholarships at Richmond for four years of full tuition and room and board. Fuchs is an Ethyl and Albemarle Science Scholar, and Wyman is an Oldham Scholar.
Fuchs did an internship last summer with GlaxoSmithKline, working on a synthetic insulin for diabetics. She is working on a project at Richmond developing a synthetic molecule that binds to DNA and hopes to work in pharmaceuticals or industry after graduate school.
This summer, Wyman will take part in a Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Minnesota. The National Science Foundation funds the highly competitive project. Wyman completed course requirements for his mathematics major midway through his sophomore year.
Seann Mulcahy, a junior chemistry major and University Scholar at Richmond, also was nominated for a Goldwater Scholarship. Mulcahy, from Wynantskill, N.Y., works on research projects that synthesize new compounds that have important biological applications such as anti-cancer therapy. He runs cross country and the 5K on the track team.
Virginia, William and Mary and Virginia Tech were only other Virginia colleges whose students won Goldwater Scholarships.
The foundation, established in 1986 to honor the late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, has awarded 3,962 scholarships worth approximately $39 million. The trustees plan to award about 300 scholarships for the 2004-05 academic year. Goldwater Scholars also have been awarded 50 Rhodes Scholarships, 55 Marshall Awards and numerous other distinguished fellowships.