Gnam is one of 417 college students from across the United States to win a Goldwater Scholarship for the 2022-23 academic year, out of a pool of 5,000 college sophomores and juniors. Forty-five scholars are mathematics and computer science majors, 308 are majoring in the natural sciences, and 64 are majoring in engineering. Many of the scholars have published their research in leading professional journals and have presented their work at professional society conferences.
“It’s exciting, it is an honor, but I don’t really like fuss,” Gnam said. “I know all of the other COA students who have applied and I know all of the amazing things they have done, so it’s pretty humbling.”
Gnam came to COA knowing that she wanted to study biology and environmental science. She also has a love of birds and realized that she could make a career out of studying them in the field through classes and field experiences at COA. She’s taken a lot of science classes at the college, including biology, chemistry, and field ecology. One highlight has been an ornithology tutorial with professor John Anderson where she studied bird anatomy, physiology, evolution, taxonomy, and the physiological drivers of migration.
“People like birds because they’re easy to observe and they’re charming and charismatic, and that is part of what got me interested in them in the first place” she said. “As I learned more about birds, I realized how much there is to study and became fascinated by their ecology and life history.”
Gnam’s blended interest in ornithology, land management, and conservation came into focus through her work with petrels at the COA Alice Eno Field Research Station on Great Duck Island as well as through The Great West, a term-long, three-credit “monster” course, she said.
“The experiences of working so closely with nature on Great Duck Island and traveling the western US experiencing all kinds of ecosystems and meeting with so many people working in conservation really helped clarify my focus,” she said.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs, has been awarding Goldwater scholarships since 1989. The program, honoring Senator Barry Goldwater, was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these fields.
“The Department of Defense’s continued partnership with the Goldwater Foundation ensures we are supporting the development of scientific talent essential to maintaining our nation’s competitive advantage,” said Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, Acting US Deputy Director of Research, Technology and Laboratories.
Original source can be found here
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