The Office of Prestigious Awards and Student Success are thrilled to announce that all five endorsees for the Goldwater Scholarship are receiving the final award. This achievement – made possible by the outstanding research merits of the students – is an unprecedented first for the University of Florida. Congratulations to Cole English, Jacques "JP" Fleischer, Julia Jamieson, Dorothy Ware, and Izabela Zmirska. 

Becoming a Goldwater Scholar is highly competitive. Just a maximum of five students are endorsed each year per higher education institution. The scholarship supports sophomore and junior undergraduates committed to research-focused careers in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering. It is the premier scholarship for undergraduates in STEM fields. 

Kelly J. Medley of The Office of Prestigious Awards advised this group of Goldwater Scholars as they progressed through the application process. Her favorite part of working with these students was witnessing how supportive they were. 

"They largely come from different personal and research backgrounds, but they provided each other with constructive feedback and support all along," says Medley. "That they championed each other throughout is such a testament to who they will all be as future STEM leaders!" 

Cole English 

Cole English is a third-year student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. English's achievements are robust. He is the first-author of multiple published scientific papers, teaches students and visiting professors, and currently works on over a dozen projects. His ideas for mapping protein-DNA interactions are the core focus of his research group. 

"I was honored to learn that I was accepted into the Goldwater community," says English. "I want to utilize my growing understanding of theory and expanding laboratory skillset to address human disease, particularly cancer. Additionally, since I am from a small, rural town in North Florida, it is important to me that I encourage future generations of scientists and professionals from rural backgrounds to aim high and work hard to make a positive impact on the world." 

English plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology. He aspires to specialize in biochemistry research, focusing on cancer epigenetics and developing new methods of obtaining more profound insights into cellular processes. English is also committed to serving as a professor and inspiring future scientific minds. 

Jacques “JP” Fleischer 

Jacques "JP" Fleischer is a third-year transfer student in the College of Engineering. Much of his research involves familiarizing himself with current technologies. This includes artificial intelligence (AI), which Fleischer is working on to build new data structures, algorithms, and programming language concepts that benefit society. 

Fleischer aspires to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science, attain a professorship, and continue researching at a university. As a scientist, he feels strongly about the responsible use of technology. Fleischer's research will strive to discover new methods of enhancing human safety with ethical AI applications, such as creating safer traffic patterns. He intends to publish his data and algorithms in an open-source environment for greater collaboration in compassionate technological advancement.  

Julia Jamieson 

Julia Jamieson is a third-year College of Agricultural & Life Sciences student. She has studied in the Biofabrication and Translational Medicine Lab of Pohang University in South Korea, created organoids through microfluidic platforms and 3D bioprinting, and joined a community of researchers making advancements in extrusion and microfluidic bioprinting. 

Jamieson plans to earn a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. She will use her experience to develop in vitro models that expand access to organ-on-a-chip devices. Additionally, she seeks to promote promising alternatives to animal testing and further her understanding of bioethical ideologies. Jamieson believes that her future career path can revolutionize the current standard for noninvasive medical research. 

Dorothy Ware 

Dorothy Ware is a third-year College of Liberal Arts & Sciences student. Ware's life was changed after her father was diagnosed with bilateral gliosarcoma. This has inspired her to pursue a degree in biochemistry. The knowledge and experience she gains in her academic journey are contributing to her mission to fight cancer. Ware shadows medical professionals, interacts with cancer patients, and volunteers in UF's Dream Team non-profit. She was also a Harvard Amgen Scholar. 

"When I was eight, my father passed away of bilateral gliosarcoma, a rare form of brain cancer," says Ware. "He endured months of grueling treatments that, in ways, felt more punishing than his terminal diagnosis. I am motivated to develop dignified therapies for people like him, to give cancer patients not only more time with their loved ones, but a less painful fight against cancer." 

Ware plans to earn an M.D./Ph.D. in Immunology. She is motivated to discover breakthroughs in using the immune system to create novel targeted therapies against cancer. Ware is determined to become as educated as possible to save lives. 

Izabela Zmirska 

Izabela Zmirska is a third-year College of Engineering student. She is passionate about understanding the physical cues that control our nervous system and researching new methods of repairing conditions such as spinal cord injuries. Zmirska has studied with mentors specializing in biomimetic materials and neural engineering, conducted independent research on T-cell development for immunotherapy applications, and created a proof of concept for degradable gels.  

Inspired by her parents, who treated neuropathy patients, Zmirska plans to earn a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Her intended career path will see her conducting research at the intersection between mechanobiology, neuroscience, and biomaterials. Her lifelong goal is to harness the power of biomaterial therapeutics to heal conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. 

Applying for the Goldwater Scholarship 

The Goldwater Scholarship is one of many awards that assist students within STEM concentrations. Talk to the Office of Prestigious Awards to learn about the application process for these opportunities, the internal UF endorsement competition, and more.  

Written by Braden Blue and Kelly J. Medley.