Dejenae Smith, a fourth-year biological sciences major, has been selected as a 2026 Goldwater Scholar! The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation recognizes and supports top undergraduates in science, math, and engineering fields who are planning to pursue research careers and have the potential to be leaders in their fields.
Dejenae plans to pursue a PhD in ecology, focusing on urban landscapes. She is interested in research that creates sustainable cities, improves human health in all communities, and is conducive to urban biodiversity. At Drexel, Dejenae has been mentored by Dr. Megan Phifer-Rixey, Associate Professor of Biology; Dr. Adrienne Kasprowicz, a postdoctoral researcher in the Phifer-Rixey lab, and Marisol Rodriguez Mergenthal, Director of STEM Success Services at the McGonigal Academic Resource Center.
Dejenae Smith (center) with Drexel President Antonio Merlo (left) and Pennoni Honors College Dean Neville Vakharia (right)
Dejenae Smith, biological sciences ’27, Honors
Dejenae Smith is a fourth-year student at Drexel University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and concentrating in ecology, evolution, and genomics. Alongside her major, she is also pursuing a minor in data science. She aspires to become a climate scientist, specializing in the intersections of environmental science, climate, and data analysis. She is currently working with Dr. Megan Phifer-Rixey studying urbanization’s morphological impacts on pollinators and herbaceous flowering plants. Dejenae is also a first-generation Jamaican-American from Philadelphia, and alongside studying the environment, she is dedicated to including more diverse voices in STEM.
As for her involvement, Dejenae is a 2023 STAR Scholar and Honors Student, and is thoroughly involved in the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, and Women's Club Rugby. She is also part of the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program in the Pennoni Honors College. In her personal time, Dejenae enjoys drawing, reading, and is an avid and experienced Scrabble player, enjoying the game both casually and competitively. She would like to make a special thanks to her mother, whose guidance has not only taught her invaluable life lessons but also instilled in her a commitment to excellence, perseverance, and resilience. Dejenae was awarded a 2025 Udall Scholarship in the environmental category and is also a 2026 Truman Scholarship finalist.
Special thanks to faculty who sat on the Goldwater Campus Committee, working with Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs to review and advise Dejenae and our other Goldwater nominees on their applications:
Tiffany Do, PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, CCI
Michelle Dolinski, PhD, Professor of Physics, CoAS
Niharika Sravan, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physics, CoAS
Juan De la Fuente, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, CoE
We would like to send an additional thanks to those faculty members who participated in anonymous application review, providing written feedback to the candidates.
For information on applying to the Goldwater Scholarship, please contact UREP at fellowships@drexel.edu.