Stephen Pierson, a Fayetteville native and an honors mechanical engineering junior, has been named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar. 

The annual award goes to the top students nationwide in mathematics, science and engineering. Pierson will receive a scholarship of up to $7,500 from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation for his senior year.

“The Goldwater Scholarship is the most distinguished award an undergraduate STEM student can receive in this country,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “That Stephen Pierson has won this incredibly competitive award points to his stellar academic and research efforts and speaks well of the support he has received from his research mentor professor Han Hu, his department and colleges, and from his many supporters and advisers.”

According to the Goldwater Foundation, an estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors applied nationwide this year, and 1,267 natural science, engineering and mathematics students were nominated by 427 academic institutions. Successful candidates are planning to pursue a doctorate and then a career in a STEM field that involves research.

“The Department of Defense's continued partnership the Goldwater Foundation ensures we are supporting the development of scientific talent essential to maintaining our nation’s competitive advantage,” said Jagadeesh Pamulapati, acting deputy director of the Research, Technology and Laboratories with the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs and chair of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the United States senator. The program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Universities and colleges may nominate up to four students each year.

STEPHEN PIERSON

Pierson’s primary research focuses on microchannel heat sinks, and he is supported by a State of Arkansas Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship. 

“My research examines the usage of advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance the thermal performance of flow boiling in liquid-cooled heat sinks,” Pierson explained. “I am credited with three first-author publications, including my work on single-phase microchannel cooling and developing a project-based course module for design for manufacturability. After college, I will pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering."

He has presented at the eighth Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference for his research into the comparison of microchannel heat sink performance and the ASEE Midwest Section Conference for his research that examines the need for a new course that teaches undergraduate engineering students how to design for manufacturability. 

"The process that led me to this award pushed me to deeply reflect on my experiences and take ownership of my goals,” Pierson said. “I can confidently say that this journey has elevated my ceiling and enriched my life as a student and a person. I am honored to represent the University of Arkansas, and I would like to acknowledge everyone who has helped me reach my potential along the way."

Outside of the lab, Pierson has served as a math and engineering tutor at the U of A and volunteered for a national non-profit college preparatory organization. He is an Honors College Fellow, an Arkansas Governor’s Distinguished Scholar and a National Merit Scholar. He will pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.

“Stephen is a highly skilled and talented student and self-motivated researcher with a strong work ethic and a passion for research and innovation,” said his research mentor Han Hu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “I am impressed by his academic achievements, research productivity and leadership qualities. He is leading several research projects in my lab and has made significant contributions to developing novel two-phase cooling technologies for high-power-density electronics and promoting computer-aided manufacturing and project-based learning in engineering education.”

“The College of Engineering is extremely proud of all that Stephen has accomplished and of the support he has received from the Mechanical Engineering Department and from his research mentor and others in the department and across the campus,” said Dean Kim Needy of the College of Engineering. “We look forward to seeing where his academic and research journeys take him in the future. We know he is going to have an important impact in his field.”

These Goldwater Scholars bring the U of A total to 60, with U of A students receiving awards for 26 of the last 28 years. Previous Goldwater Scholars have gone on to become Rhodes, Marshall, Gates Cambridge, Fulbright and Udall Scholars, as well as National Science Graduate Research Fellows. 

They have pursued doctoral work at prestigious programs including the University of Virginia, University of Michigan, University of California-Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, Cambridge University, Columbia University, Cornell University, MIT, St. Andrews (Scotland), Oxford University, Princeton University, Stanford University and Washington University. 

U of A students interested in applying for competitive scholarships like the Goldwater Scholarship should contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at awards@uark.edu.