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Awards will support students focused on furthering cancer research and treatment
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Two University of Richmond students — Phoebe Rubio and Arielle Vinnikov — have received Goldwater scholarships, one of the most sought-after and prestigious undergraduate awards in science and math.
The Goldwater scholarship is open to college sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers and fostering excellence in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. University of Richmond’s latest Goldwater scholars include:
Phoebe Rubio, a junior biochemistry & molecular biology major from Merrimac, Massachusetts, is studying organic chemistry and chemical biology related to research on peptides under the mentorship of chemistry professor Christopher Shugrue. Her work focuses on developing cleavable linkers, small molecules that enable the controlled release of drugs in specific environments. Using peptides as model biomolecules, she evaluates their functionality and biocompatibility, with applications in drug discovery and targeted therapy.
Rubio plans to pursue a Ph.D. and hopes to lead a research laboratory focused on cancer drug development and discovery in the pharmaceutical industry.
“I have gained valuable research experience in Dr. Shugrue’s lab, where I study peptides,” said Rubio. “My research has given me a strong basis in experimental design, small molecule chemistry, and data analysis.”
Arielle Vinnikov, a sophomore who is double majoring in chemistry and health studies and minoring in music, from Warwick, Pennsylvania, is studying chemistry related to nanomaterials under the mentorship of chemistry professor Michael Leopold. Nanomaterials can be used to build sensors that can electrochemically detect and quantify various drugs.
Vinnikov plans to attend medical school and focus her career on cancer treatment. She is the 10th Goldwater scholar Leopold has mentored in his more than 20 years of teaching at UR.
“I hope to pursue a career as a physician-scientist dedicated to research in an academic medical center centered on cancer detection and treatment,” said Vinnikov. “My work in Dr. Leopold’s lab has supported my journey and interest in cancer biology.”
Including these awards, UR has had 43 Goldwater Scholars since the program’s inception in 1986. This year, 441 Goldwater scholars were selected based on academic merit from a field of 1,350 students nominated by 445 colleges and universities nationwide.
“University of Richmond students are competitive for this prestigious award due to both their commitment to rigorous academics and the steadfast commitment of their faculty mentors,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, which facilitates UR’s Goldwater scholar process.
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Chemistry professor Michael Leopold has mentored 10 Goldwater scholars in his more than 20 years of teaching at UR. Learn more in this University of Richmond Magazine article: Goldwater Whisperer.
And, learn more about the 2023 and 2024 Goldwater Scholars.
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