MONACA, Pa. — Phoenix McCafferty, a second-year biology major, has become the first student from the Beaver campus to be nominated for the highly competitive, national Goldwater Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes potential leaders in research in the fields of natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
McCafferty was nominated by Associate Professor of Biology Cassandra Miller-Butterworth who wrote in her nomination that McCafferty’s “initiative is exceptional; rather than asking what opportunities existed, Phoenix asked how to create their own.”
In just 18 months, McCafferty completed multiple independent honors research projects in ecology, psychology and physiology, producing rigorous, self‑directed work, while excelling academically, Miller-Butterworth said.
“They also serve as a research assistant on two psychology studies and independently designed an Institutional Review Board‑approved project on how COVID‑19 social isolation affects adolescent social cognition, for which they lead recruitment and data collection,” Miller-Butterworth said. “Phoenix's greatest strength is their enthusiasm for learning and discovery.”
In addition, four students attending Penn State University Park also have been nominated for this year's scholarship.
About the Goldwater Scholarship
Each year, the scholarship, named for statesman Barry Goldwater, awards 300 undergraduates in their second or third year of study in the fields of natural science, and mathematics.
Those interested in competing for a Goldwater Scholarship next year should contact Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring (URFM) to learn more about the scholarship program, verify that they meet the eligibility criteria and begin the application process. Applicants must be U.S citizens, U.S. nationals or permanent residents in their second or third years and demonstrate an interest in a research career in select STEM fields. Applicants must submit a pre-application form and complete a full application during the fall semester to be considered for University nomination. Each Penn State campus can nominate four to six students each year.
Students looking to explore their potential for research and fellowships can begin by meeting with an undergraduate research ambassador, attending a workshop from URFM or applying to the Spark Program.