SLU Student Earns Prestigious STEM Scholarship

SLU Student Earns Prestigious STEM Scholarship

Saint Louis University student Rahul Jasthi has been named a 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipient.

Jasthi, a junior pursuing a degree in biochemistry, plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in biochemistry and bioinformatics and to lead a computational biochemistry lab at a university or research institution to design RNA aptamer therapeutics for insulin resistance.

"The Goldwater Scholarship is a tremendous honor that has affirmed my commitment to research," Jasthi said. "My goal is to develop aptamers as RNA therapeutics for insulin resistance, a condition that has personally affected me and my community. Being recognized as a promising researcher is immensely encouraging and pushes me even more to achieve my goal."

The Goldwater Scholarship was created in 1986 in honor of Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater. It is considered one of the most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarships and is awarded to just over 200 sophomores and juniors nationwide each year.

Jasthi has been a member of the Znosko Lab, led by SLU Chemistry Professor Brent M. Znosko, Ph.D., since 2025. In the Znosko lab, he has been developing computational models to predict RNA structures. In that lab, he has worked on the AutoRNA Project and independently created the novel Common Features Pipeline. He has also conducted research on the impacts of estrogen loss and helped develop a new analytical chemistry course.

"Rahul was an exceptional applicant because he was able to demonstrate the impact his work had on the Znosko Lab's mission," said Rebecca Muich, Ph.D., director of the SLU Honors Program. "He could trace the work he did in collaboration with others in his lab, and the work he was entrusted to do on his own. He was also able to tie what he was creating in the lab to his ultimate goal of doing clinical research on RNA therapeutics, which is a cause very close to his heart."

Each campus may nominate a limited number of applicants each year. To earn a nomination, students must demonstrate extraordinary research experience and the ability to convey their dedication to pursuing a career in STEM research. The Goldwater Scholarship comes with a $7,500 prize.

"Rahul demonstrated a love for STEM in the work he did to support his faculty in creating a new analytical chemistry class, and his participation in a SLU Policy Pod on STEM legislation," Muich said. "Rahul brought both his mind and his heart to his application and beautifully represented all that SLU has to offer its STEM students."

Those interested in applying for a Goldwater Foundation Scholarship or another nationally or internationally competitive scholarship or fellowship should contact Rebecca Muich, Ph.D., at [email protected] or visit the Office of Competitive Fellowships and Scholarships webpage for more information.