Gregory Ottino, a sophomore physics and mathematics double major, has been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship, the leading national scholarship for undergraduate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students, according to a UNM press release. The scholarship program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry Goldwater.
Ottino will receive up to $15,000 as part of the scholarship, according to the statement.
“I feel a great sense of accomplishment and gratitude toward everyone who has supported me,” he said. “It’s also great to see UNM winning national awards because I feel like it reflects the quality of the education I’ve received here, especially in physics and math.”
He said the scholarship is an excellent way to ensure that he can continue focusing on his academic and scientific research career without being too burdened by financial constraints.
“Ideally, I will be a competitive candidate for a postdoctoral position that will lead to a position as a tenure-track professor, or research in physics collaboration,” he said.
Bridget Llanes, a junior environmental planning major, has been awarded the Morris Udall & Stewart Udall Foundation scholarship, according to another press release. The Foundation awards 50 scholarships of $5,000 to junior and senior college students who are committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy or Native health care.
“I feel very privileged to be honored in this way. My heart is filled with gratitude for everyone who made this scholarship possible for me,” she said. “I recently learned that I do not have enough financial aid to complete my last year here at UNM. The scholarship is one of many scholarships that I will need to be able to complete my education successfully here.”
Llanes said she hopes to continue to work with the community in Albuquerque’s International District on environmental issues related to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill.
“It would also be a blessing to share this work with others throughout the world so that we can work together on the remediation and healing of our Earth,” Llanes said.
Lyndsay Stapleton, an undergraduate student in chemical and biological engineering, has received a graduate fellowship from the National Science Foundation, according to a press release announcing Stapleton’s award.
Stapleton plans to attend graduate school in the fall. To date, she has been accepted to a number of colleges, according to the statement.
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Sayyed Shah is the assistant news editor at the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at assistant-news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @mianfawadshah.
