VILLANOVA, PA — In a groundbreaking achievement, Villanova University juniors Lauren Arnold and Hailey Bierling have been announced as 2024 Goldwater Scholars. Awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, this recognition is extended to exceptional students who are laying the groundwork for significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Goldwater Foundation each year selects distinguished students nationwide to award scholarships. From over 1,300 institution-nominated candidates, Arnold and Bierling stood out for their academic prowess and commitment to research that propels the world forward. As Goldwater Scholars, both students will receive $7,500 to bolster their backbreaking research efforts in STEM.
University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD., expressed pride in the students’ success and dedication. He earmarked the Goldwater Scholarship as a significant catalyst propelling students to remarkable heights in national programs. He also emphasized the University’s anticipation for the great achievements Arnold and Bierling will unfurl in the near future.
Arnold, an Environmental Science major with minors in Spanish and Global Health, is fervently focused on the nexus of human health and environment, particularly as it pertains to disadvantaged populations. Arnold’s research at Villanova’s Center for Research and Fellowships (CRF) Match Research Program aimed to study the sediment deposits in Philadelphia neighborhoods left in the wake of Tropical Storm Ida. Arnold’s impressive list of accomplishments also includes a Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellowship to research an innovative water filter with the potential to remove harmful sodium from tap water.
Intertwining her passion for environmental health with a global perspective, Arnold spent a semester in Copenhagen in 2023. There, she conducted a comparative study of healthcare systems in Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, and Germany. Arnold’s contributions reach beyond the domain of research as she leads several student initiatives and serves as an integral part of the Villanova community.
Bierling, a Chemistry major, is geared toward tackling environmental challenges through research. Her primary focus rests on finding cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, a critical issue in today’s world grappling with climate change. Her mission is to study proton-coupled electron transfer reactions and develop complexes that can serve as catalysts for these reactions – potentially leading to sustainable and cleaner energy sources.
Receiving the Jean Dreyfus Award for Undergraduate Research, Bierling continues to develop new compounds, pivotal in water oxidation processes. As part of her future research endeavors, she will explore experimental and computational spectroscopy as an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) grantee at The Ohio State University, expanding her scholarly expertise.
Outside the lab, Bierling’s contributions echo in various corners of Villanova University. She serves as a resident assistant, a teaching assistant in the Chemistry department, and is the vice president of the Villanova Chemistry Society. Bierling’s leadership and commitment to mentorship are evident as she heads the department of Chemistry’s peer mentorship program.
Both Arnold and Bierling exemplify the power of young minds poised to catalyze remarkable transformations in their fields. As 2024 Goldwater Scholars, they symbolize the relentlessly innovative spirit of Villanova University and its students. Grounded in rigorous research and unwavering commitment, they hold the potential to dramatically reshape the future of STEM.
With the Goldwater Scholarship aiding their efforts, the anticipation of what they will achieve next is palpable – a testament to the indomitable spirit of research and the young minds driving it forward.
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