Four W&M students win prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Only twice in more than 30 years has W&M previously had four applicants selected.

The scholarships are considered the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in the STEM fields.

Call it a quartet of excellence: Four William & Mary students have won the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for the 2026-2027 school year. Only twice in more than 30 years has W&M previously had four applicants selected.

The scholarships, considered the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in the STEM fields, are awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. This year's W&M awardees include Cedrick Dimaranan '27, Alicia June '27, Heather Qian '27 and Sarah Foster '27.

"Fellowship Advising is incredibly excited to have all four of our candidates selected as Goldwater Scholars," said Douglas Young, associate chair of chemistry department and faculty fellow to the advising center. "This is atypical, but reflective of the high caliber of our students. It is also indicative of the W&M mission of providing students with formative undergraduate research experiences and mentorship."

In partnership with UWorld and the Department of Defense's National Defense Education Program, the Goldwater foundation annually supports college sophomores and juniors who aspire to become the nation's next generation of researchers in science, engineering and mathematics. The foundation was created 40 years ago in memory of the late Barry M. Goldwater, a former presidential candidate and longtime senator from Arizona.

This year, the Goldwater board awarded 454 scholarships from an estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors. Scholars receive up to $7,500 annually to cover tuition, fees, books, room and board.

"Receiving the Goldwater is a testament to the personalized mentorship and immense support I've had along the way, which I wouldn't have gotten at any other institution," said Dimaranan.

William & Mary's winners come from a variety of STEM fields, but Young is excited to see how each will use the opportunity for further success.

"Each recipient has an incredibly unique trajectory and brings so much passion and dedication to their fields of study," he said. "I'm excited to see how this scholarship integrates into their W&M educations as they become the next generation of scientific powerhouses."

Alicia June '27

June, a geology major from Alexandria, Virginia, plans to pursue a Ph.D. with an emphasis on coastal hydrogeology. She hopes to one day work for the U.S. Geological Survey, studying the effects of sea level rise on groundwater quality.

Her research centers on studying ecosystem and groundwater responses to drought and sea-level rise. A 1693 Scholar and a Monroe Scholar, June says a first-year field trip organized by WMSURE to the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences Eastern Shore Laboratory in Wachapreague set her on a new path.

"I thought I was going to major in psychology but when we went to the Eastern Shore lab, I realized, 'This is for me,'" she said.

She hesitated about applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, but is so glad she did.

"Not only because I won but because going through the process really makes you think about the nature of your research and the direction you want it to go," she said.

"What sets Alicia apart is how she conducts research: She independently builds complex analytical workflows, teaches herself new techniques and brings together a rare combination of creativity, intellectual depth and scientific intuition," said Assistant Professor of Geology Dominick Ciruzzi, one of June's mentors. "I'm always excited to see what she's working on."

Cedrick Dimaranan '27

Dimaranan, a biology major from Virginia Beach, Virginia, has his eyes on earning an M.D. and a Ph.D. in environmental health. Working in Young's lab to develop more sustainable cancer therapeutics led to his focus on exposomics, the comprehensive study of all environmental exposures - chemical, social and lifestyle - from conception to death.

He is especially interested in how neighborhood-level environmental exposures affect health over a lifetime. A 1693 Scholar and a Monroe Scholar, Dimaranan also credits a W&M program with setting him on his career path.

"I only learned that environmental health was a viable and important field in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years when I participated in the REACH (Research Experience in All-Around Cardiovascular Health) program," he said.

He wrote multiple drafts of his application, an arduous process he ultimately found to be immensely rewarding.

"I was forced to do deep reflection on what I wanted to study within the broad field of environmental health. This type of reflection is crucial as I prepare to apply to M.D./Ph.D. programs," he said.

Heather Qian '27

Qian, from Herndon, Virginia, hopes to use bioengineering to enhance medical treatments such as phage therapy.

"Receiving this scholarship feels like a reflection of the support and mentorship I've had along the way, and it motivates me to keep growing as a researcher," she said.

In her application, Qian stressed her belief that research is inherently interdisciplinary. A double major in biology and computational and applied mathematics and statistics, she said her coursework informs her approach to the study of synthetic biology. She highlighted "a particular part of my research experience - a summer project on campus - that helped me learn to think critically and problem solve." She also credited her mentor, Margaret Saha, chancellor professor of applied science, with guiding and inspiring her.

"I had moments of doubt during the application process where I felt like I had to have everything figured out," Qian said. "Dr. Saha and lab members reminded me that it was most important that I write about what I currently feel excited about, even if my goals changed later, which helped me keep going."

Sarah Foster '27

Foster, a chemistry major from Vienna, Virginia, intends to pursue a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, concentrating on its applications in nutritional science with the goal of one day becoming a professor herself. She credits her mentor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Katelynn Perrault Uptmor, with giving her sound advice.

During her time at the university, Foster has already published two papers on which she is the first author. She also received a Beckman Scholarship, which recognizes exceptionally talented researchers in chemistry, biology or applied science.

"Sarah has accomplished so much," Young said.

In addition, Foster has given poster and oral presentations at multiple national and international conferences.

"I have been lucky enough to have a number of incredible opportunities that led to me getting this scholarship," she said. "I am incredibly grateful for my research mentor for her continuous support in my education and research career."

Current William & Mary students interested in applying for a Goldwater Scholarship should contact the Office of Undergraduate Affairs for more information.

Susan Corbett, Communications Specialist

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