(May 27, 2008)
Scholarly Success: Scholarly Success: Going for the Goldwater
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University at Albany-SUNY Goldwater Scholar Julita Patrosz in the lab. (Photo Mark Schmidt) |
Patrosz, who will be a junior in the fall, was one of 321 college sophomores and juniors nationwide to receive the 2008 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. The award is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in math, the natural sciences and engineering. Patrosz is the 15th UAlbany undergraduate to be chosen for the scholarship since the highly competitive program began in 1986.
"I am interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of the chemistry of life and trying to discover something new," said Patrosz, a biochemistry and molecular biology major and Honors College student. "Then other people can use it to find better medical treatments."
Patrosz has been studying with faculty member Jayanti Pande, associate professor of chemistry, how mutations in the proteins of the eye lens lead to cataracts. Patrosz was paired with Pande through the University's Undergraduate Research Program.
Goldwater Scholars have very impressive academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. With the scholarship, Patrosz will receive $15,000 toward undergraduate study over the next two years.
Eventually, Patrosz, of Yonkers, N.Y., would like to earn a Ph.D. and continue the adventure of scientific discovery and exploration that she began at UAlbany.
Related Links:
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Department of Biological Sciences
Honors College
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
