Three Stony Brook Students Turn Research Promise into Goldwater Recognition

Three Stony Brook University undergraduates have been awarded the 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation's most distinguished awards for students who show exceptional promise as future STEM researchers.

From left: Ronan Tiu, William Lancer and Spiros Manolas

This year's Stony Brook recipients are Spiros Manolas, Ronan Tiu and William (Will) Lancer, whose research spans applied mathematics, biomedical physics, computational fluid dynamics, particle physics and quantum field theory. Although their areas of study differ, all three students share a deep commitment to asking difficult questions and pursuing research with purpose.

Turning Mathematics into Engineering Solutions

Manolas, a double major in applied mathematics and pure mathematics with a minor in mechanical engineering, sees research as a way to bridge mathematical ideas and real engineering challenges.

He is involved in two research groups on campus. In the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with the School of Medicine, he has spent the past year working on a project focused on designing improved brain aneurysm stents that are less prone to failure. The project uses topology optimization, a computational method that helps researchers identify stronger and more efficient designs.

More recently, Manolas began working with researchers in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics on computational fluid dynamics simulations for relativistic fluid dynamics, with applications related to neutron star collisions. Last summer, he conducted computational fluid dynamics research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and this summer he will continue his work in fluid mechanics at Princeton University.

Beyond research, Manolas is deeply involved in campus life. He serves as president of Stony Brook's chapter of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), public relations chair for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a peer mentor for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS), a peer mentor for the Simons STEM Scholars Program and a member of the Simons STEM Scholars cohort government.

Applying Physics to Biomedical Problems

Tiu, a physics and mathematics double major with a minor in chemistry, describes his research interests as "applied physics to biomedical problems."

His path into research began in nuclear physics with the Deshpande Group at Stony Brook's Center for Frontiers in Nuclear Science before he shifted toward biophysics at Indiana University, where he worked on cellular simulations of tumors - a project he has continued virtually. His Goldwater application focused on a medical physics project he completed last summer at Harvard and the Mass General Brigham hospital system, where he built a radiation sensor prototype for brachytherapy, a form of radiation oncology treatment.

On campus, Tiu has been involved with the Black and Latino Initiatives under the Dean of Students and serves as vice president of the National Society of Black Physicists.

Exploring the Frontiers of Theoretical Physics

Lancer, a physics and mathematics double major, is interested in non-perturbative quantum field theory, an area of theoretical physics that studies phenomena that cannot be fully understood through standard approximation methods.

His first research project at Stony Brook involved Lie groups and Lie algebras with Martin Rocek, professor of physics and astronomy. He later moved into experimental particle physics with Hannah Arnold, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, working on ATLAS-related research at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. His project examined a Higgs boson decay process connected to efforts to better constrain properties of the charm quark.

Lancer now conducts research at the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics with Zohar Komargodski, professor of physics and astronomy, focusing on non-perturbative effects in quantum field theory and condensed matter. He is currently working on a paper related to current effects connected to the Aharonov-Bohm effect in metals.

Outside the classroom and lab, Lancer is active in the Society of Physics Students, where he writes "problem of the week" challenges, and practices jiu-jitsu off campus at Vanguard Academy.

Writing Toward a Clearer Research Identity

All three students described the Goldwater application as a demanding but valuable process, especially because it required them to explain not only what they had done, but why their research mattered and where they hoped it would lead.

Manolas first learned about the Goldwater Scholarship as a first-year student when Ashley Staples, director of external fellowships, spoke to the Simons STEM Scholars Program about national fellowship opportunities. He applied as a sophomore but was not nominated, an experience that motivated him to approach the process differently the following year.

"I really put a lot of effort into it this year," Manolas said. "I started the applications in August because I knew I wouldn't have the time during the school year to give them the attention they needed."

The process also helped him reflect on his growth since arriving at Stony Brook.

"It let me reflect on who I am, what I've done since freshman year and how I've grown," he said.

Tiu also learned about Goldwater through the Simons STEM Scholars Program. Although he was nominated as a sophomore and did not receive the award, he saw that experience as preparation and an opportunity to clarify his research direction, rather than a setback.

"What was particularly motivating for me was knowing that it would force me to be more decisive about my research goals and put them into words," he said.

He recalled that one of the hardest parts was learning how to write with reviewers in mind without losing sight of his own voice as a researcher.

"I ended up thinking too much about what the reviewers would think, and not enough about the researcher I am and the researcher I want to present myself as," Tiu said. "Dr. Staples was incredibly helpful in helping me consider the perspective of the reviewer in a healthy way."

Lancer learned about Goldwater from a friend who had received the award the previous year. He applied close to the deadline and was grateful to be nominated, but said the guidance he received afterward made an enormous difference.

"Dr. Staples was incredible," Lancer said. "She turned my hunk of essays into a beautiful sculpture."

Staples remarked that "Working with Will, Ronan and Spiros on their applications was a pleasure - they are so passionate about their research and potential impact - every meeting was inspiring! They put in the hard work to revise and refine their stories. I'm so pleased they were selected as Goldwater Scholars."

Both Ronan Tiu and Spiros Manolas are members of the Simons STEM Scholars Program.

Looking Ahead to PhD Study and Research Careers

For all three recipients, the Goldwater Scholarship affirms a long-term commitment to research.

Manolas hopes to complete his current projects before pursuing a PhD and a research-based career in applied mathematics. He said he is drawn to research because, at its best, it feels like solving "a fun little puzzle." Goldwater, he added, will support that path not only because of the award's reputation, but also because of its mentor community for current and former scholars.

He has also begun thinking carefully about where he hopes to study after Stony Brook. After being accepted to Princeton's PhD Preview program last fall, Manolas said he was struck not only by the institution's academic reputation, but also by the supportive environment he encountered and the mentorship style of a professor whose research closely aligns with his own interests. This summer, he will conduct research with that same professor.

Tiu's next goal is to publish his biophysics research in a peer-reviewed journal. Looking further ahead, he plans to pursue a PhD in applied physics with a focus on biomedical applications.

"Goldwater helps because I now know how to frame my research and my goals," Tiu said. "That will be a skill I'll use over and over again as a researcher."

Lancer presenting his research to Carl Lejuez (left), executive vice president and provost, and Ashley Staples, director of external fellowships, at the URECA Celebration and VIP Showcase.

Lancer is graduating this year and will attend Cambridge's Part III master's program in theoretical physics. After that, he plans to pursue a PhD in theoretical physics, with Princeton among his top choices because of researchers whose work closely matches his interests.

Advice for Future Applicants

Although each student approached the application differently, their advice to future applicants shared a common theme: begin early, ask for feedback and treat the process as useful even before the outcome is known.

Manolas encouraged students to give the essays the time they deserve, especially because it can be difficult to write well while balancing coursework, research and other responsibilities.

"Start early, use your resources, whether it's friends, family or any mentors you may have," he said.

Tiu emphasized that students should not let self-doubt prevent them from applying.

"A lot of people get discouraged and have imposter syndrome," he said. "My advice would be to try to ignore that and put good time into the application. Even if you don't win the award, you can reuse the skills learned or the essays you wrote moving forward, whether you're applying to summer programs or PhD programs."

Lancer encouraged students to build strong academic and research foundations, seek strong letters of recommendation and ask multiple people to read their essays. He also advised students to explore more than one research environment during college.

"You're not going to have an accurate view of your essays in the beginning," he said, noting that feedback from others can help applicants see what is clear, what is missing and what needs more work.

Supporting Students Beyond the Application

The success of this year's Goldwater Scholars reflects both the students' individual accomplishments and the campus support that helps Stony Brook undergraduates pursue nationally competitive opportunities.

With support from Graduate School resources such as external fellowships advising, along with mentorship and research engagement across campus, Stony Brook students are encouraged to refine their goals, communicate their work clearly and prepare for the next stage of their academic careers. For Manolas, Tiu and Lancer, the Goldwater process became more than an application. It became a chance to look carefully at the researchers they are becoming and the questions they hope to spend their careers answering.