April 3, 2024

We're pleased to announce that two Drexel students were selected as 2024 Goldwater Scholarship recipients. 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. We're very proud of these students, who plan to pursue advanced STEM degrees after graduating from Drexel. Congratulations!

Abhishek Jeyapratap
computer science & mathematics ’25

Abe is a junior computer science and mathematics double major, with minors in data science and AI. His interests lie in the interdisciplinary applications of technology, particularly in fields like healthcare. Since freshman year, he has actively engaged in research, contributing to three different VIP projects. Later, he conducted computational neuroscience research advised by Dr. Yusuf Osmanlioglu where he applied graph theoretical and machine learning techniques on neuroimaging brain data. His work won first place at the 2023 AAAS e-poster competition. Currently, he is working on robotics research advised by Dr. Lifeng Zhou focusing on developing resilient, risk-aware, and trustworthy algorithms for autonomous systems.

Abe has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and as an Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant recipient.

Nisha Patel
biological sciences '25

Nisha Patel is an honors biological sciences student with minors in neuroscience; psychology; and science, technology, and society (STS). She ultimately wants to pursue a career studying the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. Nisha has conducted a wide range of neuroscience research in the Stanford Lab at Drexel, McManus Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Alhadeff Lab at Monell Chemical Senses Center, and Penn Memory Center. She is excited to continue doing neuroscience research at the industry level through her current co-op at Avid Radiopharmaceuticals. Nisha has been an active participant in the Pennoni Honors College as a STAR Scholar, Aspire Scholar, Supernova Undergraduate Research Fellow, and UREP Ambassador. She is also Co-President of the TriBeta Biological Honor Society, Vice President of the Neuroscience Society, and a Steinbright Peer Mentor. Nisha is honored to be a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship and hopes to encourage other students to get involved in undergraduate research.

Special thanks to faculty and staff who participated on the Goldwater Campus Committee, working with Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs to review and advise nominees on their applications:

Ellen Bass, PhD, College of Computing & Informatics
Christopher Sales, PhD, College of Engineering
Peter Gaskill, PhD, College of Medicine
Ania-Ariadna Baetica, PhD, College of Engineering

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 was established by Congress in 1986, with the goal of recognizing the nation's top undergraduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.

For more information about the Goldwater Scholarship, please visit the Goldwater website or contact UREP at fellowships@drexel.edu.