UF’s Student Success and the Office of Prestigious Awards announced the University of Florida’s 10^th recipient of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Maddie Ross.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2000 with a “mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It aims to achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars, providing them with financial and non-financial support…and facilitating community building at and beyond Cambridge.”

Ross is a biochemistry student in the College of Liberal Arts and at the University of Cambridge, she will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry, continuing her dream of helping medical patients at the molecular level. Ross is the first Gates Cambridge Scholar at UF since 2017.

She derives inspiration from her mentors and hopes her upcoming research opportunities in the United Kingdom will unveil new medical applications – particularly for Type 1 diabetes.

The University of Florida is incredibly proud of Maddie Ross' great achievement, and we are confident that her impact on biochemistry will be seen around the world,” Sasse said. “Gator Nation is everywhere and we are committed to student success and academic excellence.

Ross, an active member of UF’s chapter of the Phi Mu Fraternity, discovered she was selected as a Gates Cambridge Scholar via email while in class “learning about the wonders of beta-Galactosidase enzymes.”

Unable to contain her excitement, she started crying tears of joy among her peers and soon called her mom to deliver the good news. The prospect of joining a group of leaders who share a passion for polymer chemistry is electrifying for Ross.

The Gates Cambridge application has four main criteria: outstanding intellectual ability, rationale for choice of graduate program, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential.

Ross wasn’t forced to walk this path alone. Her mentors provided valuable guidance and support along the way. She credits Brent Sumerlin, Ph.D., and Sofia Goodrich-Accolla, Ph.D., as the reason she has made it this far in her academic career.  

Sumerlin serves as Ross’ mentor and the principal investigator in the George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory within UF’s Department of Chemistry.

 “Maddie was motivated from day one,” Sumerlin said. “She brought a level of enthusiasm that suggested she would not stop until she met her full potential. She is detail-oriented but still a big thinker. She is diligent but fearless. I know Maddie will represent herself and UF to the fullest extent, and I hope that she will find time to enjoy herself outside of the laboratory while abroad.” 

Ross was grateful for Kelly J. Medley, who oversees the Office of Prestigious Awards within UF’s Student Success. Medley helped her prepare her for the finalist interview.

“I have learned to articulate my thoughts well and to think and speak clearly despite the nerves, which Mrs. Medley and the mock interviews really helped with,” Ross said.  

The benefits of applying for prestigious awards are ample, with numerous opportunities for personal, professional, and academic growth. Ross reflected she “grew immensely through the Gates Cambridge application process.”

“Sometimes these sorts of accolades seem out of reach, but half of the battle is taking the shot,” Sumerlin said. “Having said that, Maddie’s willingness to move outside of her comfort zone led to the successes that the selection committee noted.” 

Explore the wide variety of prestigious awards open to students from all fields of study on the Office of Prestigious Awards webpage.