WSU announces three new Goldwater Scholars

Three WSU undergraduate students, Nicole Diefenbach, Taylor Page, and Katy Touretsky, have been named recipients of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation's most prestigious undergraduate awards for students pursuing research careers in science, mathematics, and engineering.

Selected from nearly 1,500 applicants nationwide, and only nine awardees in the state of Washington, the three Honors College students were recognized for their academic excellence, sustained research engagement, and commitment to advancing discovery in the biomedical and life sciences.

Each WSU Goldwater Scholarship nominee worked with the Distinguished Scholarships Program for months to prepare their applications. A faculty committee, headed by assistant vice provost Mary Sánchez Lanier, selected WSU's nominees for the national competition.

"Nicole, Taylor, and Katy exemplify what the Goldwater Scholarship seeks to recognize - intellectual curiosity, sustained research engagement, and a deep commitment to using discovery to improve lives," said April Seehafer, director of the Distinguished Scholarships Program. "Their success reflects not only their talent and drive, but also WSU's strong culture of undergraduate research and mentorship that allows students to thrive at the highest level."

Nicole Diefenbach, a genetics and cell biology major with a minor in computer science, discovered her passion for neuroscience through hands-on research and close mentorship at WSU. Drawn to questions at the intersection of biology and computation, she has focused her undergraduate work on understanding how genetic mutations influence brain development and contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Nicole, Taylor, and Katy exemplify what the Goldwater Scholarship seeks to recognize - intellectual curiosity, sustained research engagement, and a deep commitment to using discovery to improve lives.

"Being honored as a Goldwater Scholar is incredibly meaningful because it acknowledges the hard work I put into my research and teaching extracurriculars," said Diefenbach. "This scholarship tells me that my work is being recognized and that I am capable of achieving my goals in science. It will inspire me to continue doing research."

Diefenbach conducts research in Professor Gary Wayman's lab, participates in the NIH-funded ESTEEMED MIRA Program, and is an Honors College facilitator. Her research combines experimental biology with data-driven analysis to better understand complex neurological conditions.

Beyond the lab, Diefenbach is deeply committed to mentorship and inclusive research environments, crediting her parents and WSU faculty mentors with strengthening her commitment to a career in research.

"Mentorship has become so important to me that I hope to pass it on in the future through teaching and mentoring undergraduates in my own lab," said Diefenbach.

As one of only 63 sophomores nationwide to receive the award, Diefenbach plans to pursue a PhD and lead her own research laboratory, advancing scientific understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Taylor Page, a biochemistry major with a chemistry minor, has centered her undergraduate research on women's reproductive health - an area that has long been underrepresented in biomedical research. Her work is motivated by a desire to better understand the biological mechanisms behind conditions such as endometriosis and infertility and to help improve outcomes for patients.

Working in Professor Kanako Hayashi's lab, Page has contributed to projects examining the immune, hormonal, and molecular pathways involved in reproductive disease and is active in the NIH-funded MARC program, while also serving as an Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor, Honors College facilitator, and undergraduate teaching assistant.

"Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship represents the culmination of the hard work and dedication I have invested in research over my three years at WSU," Page reflected. "I am incredibly grateful to the mentors who believed in me, supported my growth, and continually pushed me to reach my full potential."

After graduating, Page plans to pursue an MD/PhD and build a career at an academic medical center, where she can integrate patient care with research to improve diagnostics and treatments for women's health conditions.

Katy Touretsky, a neuroscience major with a Spanish minor, credits her family and her mentors with shaping her path as a researcher and aspiring physician-scientist. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Israel with Katy and her brothers in 2017, and their perseverance shaped her academic journey. Her mother rebuilt her medical career after arriving in the U.S., and her father, a software engineer, played a central role in supporting her academic curiosity before his death from pancreatic cancer two years ago.

"Everything I have achieved is a reflection of their resilience, sacrifices, and unwavering belief in me. Losing my father to pancreatic cancer profoundly shaped my commitment to becoming a physician-scientist, focused on bridging scientific discovery with patient care," said Touretsky. "Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship underscores the importance of this work and strengthens my commitment to pursuing translational neuroscience research."

Touretsky conducts research in Assistant Professor Kristen Delevich's lab, where her work explores how hormonal transitions and adolescent cannabis exposure affect brain immune cells and neural circuit development. She has led grant-funded research projects as a student principal investigator and presented her findings at campus, regional, and national conferences. She is also involved at WSU as an EschLEAD scholar, undergraduate teaching assistant, Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor, and College of Veterinary Medicine Promoter.

Following graduation, Touretsky plans to pursue an MD/PhD with the goal of improving outcomes for patients facing complex neurological and endocrine conditions.

Diefenbach, Page, and Touretsky bring WSU's total Goldwater scholars to 58 since the first honoree in 1990. WSU's continued success in the Goldwater competition reflects the university's commitment to undergraduate research and excellent faculty mentorship.