Physical Chemistry Research in the Shields Lab by Goldwater Scholars: Including Lessons Learned

ACS Citation

Shields, G.C. “Physical Chemistry Research in the Shields Lab by Goldwater Scholars: Including Lessons Learned” in Physical Chemistry Research at Undergraduate Institutions: Innovative and Impactful Approaches, Volume 2. Todd A. Hopkins, Carol A. Parish, editors, ACS, Washington, D.C., ACS Symposium Series, Vol 1429, Chapter 1, 2022, 1-30.

Abstract

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was created in 1986 by Congress to honor Senator Goldwater and to provide scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. Every accredited two and four year academic institution in the United States may nominate up to four students each year. Each applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a permanent resident. Sophomores receive an amount equal to the total cost of their college education up to a total of $7500 per year over the next two years of their undergraduate education, while juniors receive up to $7500 to support their education during their senior year.Institutions are not allowed to reduce a students already committed financial aid after a student receives a Goldwater award. One key to a successful application is demonstrated research aptitude of the nominees. Research aptitude is evaluated by the quality of the student’s application and letters of recommendation from faculty. Many Scholars have already published their research in leading professional journals or have presented their work at scientific conferences. In this chapter I outline the research in physical chemistry by undergraduate students that led to their successful Goldwater awards. Their research encompassed cocaine catalytic antibodies, pKa calculations, breast cancer drug design, gas-phase water clusters, reactions in the atmosphere, formation of pre-nucleation complexes in the atmosphere, formation of dipeptides in the prebiotic atmosphere, and investigations of how molecules bind tightly to the μ opioid receptor.

Source Name

ACS Symposium Series: Vol. 1429

Physical Chemistry Research at Undergraduate Institutions: Innovative and Impactful Approaches, Volume 2

Publication Date

Fall 2022

Volume

1429

Page(s)

1-30

Document Type

Citation

Citation Type

Book Chapter

bk-2022-1429.largecover.pdf (1184 kB)
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