The highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship, considered the nation’s preeminent scholarship for students in the STEM fields, has been awarded to four University of Arkansas students: James “Ethan” Batey, Joshua Mora Sanchez, John “Sam” Sooter, and Emilee Walden.

This is the second time in its history that the U of A has had four Goldwater Scholars in the same year.

“Having four students receive the Goldwater in a given year is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Congratulations go to these amazing students and to the faculty who have actively mentored them throughout their research, to their departments, and to their colleges. Collectively these students have asked important questions, published findings in distinguished journals, and presented their work at national and international conferences. They are on their way to launching impressive research careers that will benefit our institution, the state and the country.”

Each student will receive a scholarship of $7,500 from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Foundation. The Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the United States senator by providing scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in the fields of science, mathematics and engineering.

Universities and colleges may nominate up to four students every year, five if they have an eligible transfer student. In the history of the U of A, 65 students have received this esteemed scholarship.

2024 GOLDWATER SCHOLARS

ETHAN BATEY

Ethan Batey, a junior honors chemistry and physics major, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in physical chemistry or chemical physics followed by a postdoctoral position. He hopes to eventually work in academia either at a university or a national laboratory. 

Currently, he is conducting research with Bin Dong, assistant professor of chemistry, seeking to overcome traditional problems encountered in light-sheet fluorescence microscopy in cyto- and histological studies. Outside of his academic accomplishments, Batey has worked at Camp Kesem as a volunteer coordinator where he recruited, trained and managed other volunteers in support of children and parents suffering from cancer. 

"Being awarded the Goldwater Scholarship has propelled me further towards my goals in academia, helping me turn my aspirations into a reality,” said Batey. “This award has pushed me to pursue greater accomplishments and allowed me to explore opportunities previously unknown."

JOSHUA MORA SANCHEZ

Joshua Mora Sanchez is a junior honors mechanical engineering major who plans to obtain a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. He intends to conduct research on the electrification of aircrafts and work in the space industry.  

His interest in engineering and space took a meaningful turn when he met his role model, Franklin Chang Díaz, on a tour at the AdAstra campus in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. 

Currently, he is conducting research with Han Hu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, in the development of an advanced cold plate for the electrification of aircrafts.

"Being a Goldwater Scholar encourages me to keep pursuing my research and career goals, helps me be confident in the work I have done for my research projects, and makes me excited for my future contributions to the scientific community,” said Mora Sanchez.

SAM SOOTER

Sam Sooter, a sophomore honors physics and mathematics major, is interested in applying tools from statistical physics to biological systems with many interacting parts, like the brain or animal flocks. 

Currently, Sooter is conducting research with Woodrow Shew, associate professor of physics, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Antonio Fontenele, along with Shew Lab collaborators Andrea Barreiro, associate professor of mathematics at Southern Methodist University, and Cheng Ly, associate professor of mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Using tools from statistical physics, Sooter is exploring the relationship between behavioral state and distance to criticality. After college, he will pursue a Ph.D. in physics, followed by postdoctoral work, and eventually start his own lab as a physics professor.

"I am honored to be named a 2024 Goldwater Scholar,” said Sooter. “This award validates the quality of my research as an undergraduate and reaffirms my desire to pursue a research career. I would like to thank my research mentor Woodrow Shew, along with my other mentors and collaborators Antonio Fontenele, Andrea Barreiro and Cheng Ly for supporting the work that led to this award."

EMILEE WALDEN

Emilee Walden, a junior honors mathematics and biology major, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in bioinformatics and genomics with the intent of becoming a research professor. She aspires to do research focused on developing mathematical models and algorithms to interpret the evolution of genome sequences and evaluate how these sequences can provide insights into disease mutation patterns and prevention. 

Currently, Walden is conducting research with Jiahui Chen, assistant professor of mathematical sciences, that aims to enhance genome data analysis for tracking flu virus mutations, potentially advancing real-time monitoring and vaccine development. Walden also serves as president for the Association for Women in Mathematics. 

“Becoming a Goldwater Scholar is an incredible honor as well as an encouragement to press on in research,” said Walden. “Yet my success truly comes from the endless support I have received from my mentors and my family every step of the way.”

2024 UDALL SCHOLARSHIP HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Morris K. and Stewart L. Udall Scholarship Foundation, which recognizes college sophomores and juniors who have demonstrated outstanding potential and a commitment to pursuing careers related to the environment, have recognized two U of A students with honorable mention awards: Mallory Stinnett and Amelia Southern Uribe.

“Mallory Stinnett and Amelia Southern Uribe are outstanding students and dedicated, community partners,” said Terry Martin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Both are interested in public policy — one connected to the environment, the other to tribal policy — and both have distinguished themselves in a variety of ways captured by, but also going beyond, this one recognition.  They are excellent representatives of our university, and they are clearly going to make an important, positive difference in their careers.”

The foundation also awards scholarships to Native American college sophomores and juniors who have demonstrated outstanding potential and a commitment to careers related to tribal public policy or health care. 

Each year 55 students are selected as Udall Scholars and 55 receive honorable mentions. These students are selected from applicants from across the country. 

Since 1997, 28 University of Arkansas students have been recognized by the Udall Foundation — 13 have been scholars and 15 have received honorable mentions.

MALLORY STINNETT

Mallory Stinnett is an environmental, soil and water science major and entomology minor from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Stinnett is a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and recently participated in the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus at the United Nations headquarters for the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome. 

As an advocate for food growth and nutrition on the Muscogee Creek Reservation, Stinnett has been praised by mentors for her efforts in advancing horticulture and conservation in global tribal communities. She plans to eventually plans to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife as a biologist, specifically interested in tribal policies connected to that work. 

AMELIA SOUTHERN URIBE 

Amelia Southern Uribe is an honors journalism and political science major and sustainability minor in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and was named a Udall Scholar last year.

Southern Uribe has mobilized more than 300 hundred students across Arkansas in advocacy work for environmental justice and eventually plans to work in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Public Affairs to further such efforts. 

Office of Nationally Competitive Awards: University of Arkansas students and recent alumni interested in applying for scholarships and fellowships and faculty wishing to identify competitive students should contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at awards@uark.edu or 479-575-3771. More information is available at awards.uark.edu.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.