April 11, 2022

Congratulations to Sky Harper, Drexel's 2022 Goldwater Scholarship recipient!

The Goldwater Scholarship recognizes undergraduates in science, math, and engineering fields planning to pursue research careers and with the potential to be leaders in their fields. The scholarship provides funding for their final year or two of undergraduate study. Sky Harper was selected from a highly competitive pool of college sophomores and juniors nominated by academic institutions across the United States. We are delighted that he has been recognized for his hard work and potential!

Sky Harper (BS Chemistry '24, Honors) is a second-year student at Drexel University, currently pursuing a BS in Chemistry. After graduation, he plans to find an MD/Ph.D. program and potentially delve into biochemistry or pharmaceuticals. Currently, he is the President of Drexel Indigenous Students of the Americas, and also tries to be involved around campus. He is currently working with the USDA-ARS as a researcher and has had the opportunity to conduct research with Dr. Hai-Feng Ji on polymers and Dr. John Medaglia in the Cognitive Neuroengineering and Wellbeing Laboratory. Sky is a first-generation Navajo student from Chinle, Arizona and his goal is to show his five younger brothers that it is possible to succeed in whatever field you want to pursue. He would like to say thank you to his mom and dad for their support throughout his life and for always being invested in his and his brothers' education.

Sky has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program, STAR Scholars, Aspire Scholars, and Supernova Undergraduate Research Fellows.

Special thanks to faculty who participated on the Goldwater Campus Committee, working with UREP during the fall and winter terms to review and advise nominees on their applications:

Dr. Mary Katherine Gonder, Department Head and Professor, Biology, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Sujata Bhatia, Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel College of Medicine
Dr. Michelle Dolinski, Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Associate Professor of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences

We would like to send an additional thanks to those faculty members who participated in anonymous application review, providing written feedback to the candidates.

The Goldwater Scholarship recognizes the nation's top undergraduates in natural science, engineering, and mathematics and is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these field. Goldwater Scholars receive an educational scholarship of up to $7,500/year, as well as national recognition in the Chronicle of Higher Education. These students join a community of scholars with impressive academic and research qualifications, which often garner the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. Goldwater Scholars have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, Churchill Scholarships, Hertz Fellowships and numerous other distinguished awards like the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

See previous Drexel Goldwater Scholars and Honorable Mentions.

For more information about the Goldwater Scholarship, please contact Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs at fellowships@drexel.edu.