Rising senior Jennifer Burdette is the first bet8体育娱乐入口 undergraduate selected as a Barry Goldwater Scholar.
这个奖学金, made possible by the Department of Defense National Defense Education Program and its Excellence in Education Foundation, 成立于1986年. 这个节目纪念已故的参议员. Barry Goldwater is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, 工程与数学.
It was awarded to 413 students this year across the United States.
在ODU主修化学和生物化学双学位, Burdette was urged to apply for the scholarship because of her collaborative research that focuses on pharmaceuticals and infections.
The first project she began as part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s 研究 Experience for 本科s (REU) program – and what earned her the Goldwater Scholarship – centered on Clostridioides固执的 (C.diff.).
“My research project is focused on developing chemical methods to construct a new class of molecules, which are useful in preventing the growth and spread of deadly pathogens,伯黛特说. “The molecules that we are developing target pathogens that are hard to remove from surfaces and equipment and are also the leading cause of infections acquired within hospital settings.”
“Jennifer has proven to be one of the most hardworking undergraduate students that I have worked with, 无论是在教室里还是在实验室里, 在过去的十年里, and she certainly embodies all the talents of a Barry Goldwater Scholar and quality researcher.”
——助理教授凯尔·兰伯特
Burdette worked in collaboration with ODU Assistant Professor Erin Purcell’s biochemistry research group, 测试新的抗生素对抗的是什么 C. diff, a difficult-to-eradicate – and potentially deadly – pathogen commonly acquired in hospital settings. The molecules and methods Burdette worked with also have potential applications in the development of new pharmaceuticals and medicines.
As a transfer student from Tidewater 社区 College, she seized opportunities available to her and moved into a higher level of research at ODU.
“She has done an amazing job both in her courses and in her contributions to research, 我们为她的成就感到骄傲,克雷格·贝斯说, professor and chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Once at ODU, Burdette joined Assistant Professor Kyle Lambert's research group.
“Jennifer has proven to be one of the most hardworking undergraduate students that I have worked with, 无论是在教室里还是在实验室里, 在过去的十年里, and she certainly embodies all the talents of a Barry Goldwater Scholar and quality researcher,兰伯特说. “It is a great accomplishment for Jennifer to be awarded this national fellowship, and she is an excellent role model for other undergraduate students and highlights the research and mentoring opportunities available to undergraduate students the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the 理学院 and bet8体育娱乐入口 as a whole.”
在2023年春季学期, Burdette began investigating more environmentally sustainable methods to reduce chemical waste in industrial processes and to study environmental processes as part of a NASA Virginia Space Grant Consortium 本科 研究 Award. As a result, she was named a Provost’s Outstanding 本科 研究er.
“Designed to identify the next generation of science leaders, this award is a testament to what can happen when an intelligent and hard-working student like Jennifer takes advantage of the opportunities provided by our wonderful and caring faculty,大卫·梅茨格说, dean of the Patricia and Douglas Perry 荣誉学院.
2024年春季毕业后, Burdette intends to enter a medical scientist training program (MSTP) to obtain an M.D. 还有一个有机化学博士学位. 她想成为一名生物医学科学家.
“An MSTP will position me to advance the understanding, 检测, 治疗和预防人类疾病, which will be my primary goal as a research scientist,伯黛特说. “我更喜欢M.D./Ph.D. 学位途径，而不是传统的M.D. 或Ph值.D. 度路径, because I want the opportunity to receive training and experience in both medicine and research, 特别是在药物化学方面.”
Her dream is to expand her organic chemistry knowledge and study the stereochemistry and reaction of biomolecules to better understand the root causes of many disorders, 比如狼疮或精神分裂症, 并设计有效的治疗方法.
“另外, I would enjoy continuing to perform organic synthesis in a laboratory setting to develop new pharmaceuticals and medicines that effectively target these disorders and that can be successfully optimized,伯黛特说.
7美元,500 Burdette earned through the Barry Goldwater Scholarship will help fund her senior year at ODU.
“The Department of Defense’s continued partnership with the Goldwater Foundation ensures we are supporting the development of scientific talent essential to maintaining our nation’s competitive advantage,Jagadeesh Pamulapati说, 研究部代理副主任, 为国防部提供技术和实验室.