Goldwater Scholarship, Honorable Mention awarded to UNM students

Two students have been recognized by the Goldwater Scholarship, according to a University press release.

Julian Vigil, a senior chemical engineering major, won the scholarship and plans to pursue a doctorate in that field, according to the release.

Randy Ko, a junior biochemistry major and ASUNM presidential candidate, received an honorable mention from the fund, and he said in the release he plans to study cancer biology in graduate school. 

UNM’s National & International Scholarships and Fellowships (NISF) office provides UNM students with merit-based scholarship and fellowship opportunities, according to the release.

According to the scholarship's website, the scholarship was established in honor of Barry Goldwater, who served for over half a century as a member of the military and later a U.S. senator. 

The fund serves to "provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in those fields," the website states. 

“Julian and Randy are great examples of successful Goldwater candidates who have been engaged in the research activities throughout their college careers, understanding the implications of their research outcomes, and publishing research articles," Kiyoko Nogi Simmons, manager of Scholarships and Outreach at NISF, is quoted as saying in the release. 

Last year's winner from UNM, according to the fund's website, was Gregory Ottino for his interest in nuclear physics.