UW Student from Sheridan Receives Prestigious National Scholarship

Kayla Clymore, an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry and biology at the University of Wyoming, has been awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the United States for students pursuing research careers in the sciences.

The junior from Sheridan is only the second UW student in the past decade to receive this highly competitive honor.

The Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is a federally endowed, independent agency celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. This scholarship program honors the late Arizona U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater by supporting outstanding college sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering and mathematics. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award of its kind in these fields.

In partnership with UWorld and the Department of Defense's National Defense Education Program, the Goldwater Foundation awarded 454 scholarships nationwide this year. The scholarship will continue to support Clymore with up to $7,500 per academic year during the final years of her UW undergraduate education and provide support as she prepares for graduate school.

"The Goldwater Scholarship recognizes students who have the curiosity, discipline and vision to become the next generation of research leaders," says Chandra Pemmasani, founder and CEO of UWorld. "UWorld is proud to support these scholars as they pursue discoveries that will advance science, strengthen health care and benefit society."

Clymore says she didn't initially consider a career path in research, but she received outstanding support and mentorship from faculty members at UW, especially from John Hoberg, a professor of organic chemistry and organic materials.

"He helped me find a real interest in chemistry and supported me as I started to pursue it," Clymore says. "He also has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and go after opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise. Those experiences have helped me see a path for myself I never originally imagined."

Hoberg has been impressed with Clymore's dedication.

"Kayla is an outstanding student and, in my experience, is at the top of any course she takes, including graduate-level classes," he says. "She is equally adept at research, in which she is not only technically gifted, but also capable of providing research direction, which is a rarity in an undergraduate student."

Ella Daniel Gray, academic and fellowship adviser in UW's Honors College, helped Clymore prepare her application materials for the scholarship and also was struck by Clymore's capabilities.

"I knew I was working with someone operating at another level, and I'm certain she will do far more than just win this one award," Gray says.

Under Hoberg's direction, Clymore has been working on cutting-edge materials research with extensive application possibilities in technology and industry. Her research focuses on constructing novel two-dimensional graphitic materials called covalent organic frameworks, which can be used in desalination, selective chemical separations, catalysis and energy storage.

"Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me," Clymore says. "It reflects the culmination of a lot of hard work and gives me confidence as I look toward future opportunities in research and graduate study."

Hoberg is confident about Clymore's future success.

"I think that the Goldwater selection committee recognized that she has a very bright future in the sciences and has the potential to be a leader in her eventual field," he says.

For more information about the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, go to https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/.