Two undergraduate students at Ohio State named Barry M. Goldwater Scholars

COLUMBUS -- Two Ohio State University undergraduate students are among 302 students from the United States and Puerto Rico who have received Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships.

Recipients, both juniors, are Gabriel T. Chong of WORTHINGTON, and Karoline M. Gilbert of UNIONTOWN.

The Goldwater Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,164 mathematics, science and engineering students and are nominated by faculty members from their respective colleges and universities.  Of the scholars, 157 are men, 145 are women and virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. in their academic discipline.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was created in 1986 in honor of the Arizona senator.  The scholarship, awarded to undergraduate sophomores and juniors, aims to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.

Recipients are selected by an independent review committee appointed by the Foundation.  The one- and two-year scholarships cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.  Both Ohio State recipients will receive a one-year scholarship.

In its 13-year history, the Foundation has awarded 3,323 scholarships worth approximately $33 million dollars.  Scholarships were awarded to two Ohio State students last year.

Chong, a molecular genetics and economics major, has been researching cell cycle regulation with Gustavo Leone, professor of molecular genetics.  The research could help researchers better understand how tumors develop.  After graduation, he plans to attend medical and graduate school to complete an M.D. and Ph.D.  Chong, a 1998 graduate of Thomas Worthington High School, is the son of Wing Kai and Li Fong Chong, 1129 Hickory Grove Court, Worthington.

Gilbert, a physics and astronomy major, is working on her honors thesis on active galaxies, so called because the centers or nuclei are thought to harbor black holes, with Bradley Peterson, professor of astronomy.  After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school with the goal of earning a Ph.D. in astronomy.  Gilbert, a 1998 graduate of Lake High School, is the daughter of Harry and Edeltraud Gilbert, 13377 Dawn Ave., Uniontown.