UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Undergraduate Kueyoung Kim is the third Penn Stater to earn a Churchill Scholarship, which provides funding to American students for a year of master’s study in science, mathematics and engineering at the University of Cambridge, based at Churchill College.
Kim, of State College, is a chemistry major and Millennium and Schreyer scholar with undergraduate research experience at Penn State and beyond. He was a 2023 recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship and a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.
Kim will pursue a one-year master of philosophy in physics at the University of Cambridge where he’ll be researching new molecules that have interesting properties for light harvesting and quantum information science.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing the skills I’ve gained at Penn State to my work in the U.K. and am equally excited to branch into a new field and culture to grow as a scientist and person,” he said. “After my master of philosophy, I plan on returning to the U.S. for my Ph.D. where I hope to integrate the expertise I gained at Cambridge in future projects related to biophysical chemistry and sustainability.”
Kim has conducted research at Penn State under Lauren Zarzar, associate professor of chemistry, materials science and engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. His other research as an undergraduate includes a research experience for undergraduates (REU) under Robert Carpick, John Henry Towne Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania; Amgen Scholars Program under Matthew Francis, Aldo DeBenedictis Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, UC Berkeley; an internship at the Max Planck Institute in Germany under David Zwicker; and the MIT Summer Research Program under Mark Bathe, professor of biological engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He also is proud, he said, of his involvement in Science LionPride and independent science outreach in collaboration with Gina Noh, assistant professor of chemical engineering, in developing science outreach for K-12 students.
Kim is among the 16 U.S. students who earned a Churchill Scholarship in science, math and engineering this year. Another two earned Kanders Churchill Scholarships in science policy.
Applying for the Churchill Scholarship
The Churchill Scholarship looks for outstanding academic achievement, proven talent in research and outstanding personal qualities in its applicants. Students must be a U.S. citizen, a senior or recent alumnus/a and have a 3.7 GPA or higher.
Applicants must be nominated by Penn State and work with Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring to be considered. More information on the Churchill Scholarship can be found at urfm.psu.edu. To receive Penn State nomination for the Churchill Scholarship students are encouraged to apply by April 21, 2025. The next national deadline is Nov. 3, 2025.
Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.