Tennessee natives Marlena Alexander and Jocelyn Hess, both juniors in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, have been named Goldwater Scholars.
Established in 1986 to honor the lifetime work of Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, the Goldwater Scholarship is regarded as the most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarship in the United States.
The award seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming the nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.
Alexander and Hess were two of three University of Tennessee students awarded Goldwater Scholarships this year. Since 2010, 33 UT students have been named Goldwater Scholars.
“I was thrilled to learn that I was the recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship,” said Hess, a Seymour native. “It has been a big goal of mine for years, and it is very exciting that the Department of Materials Science and Engineering had two scholars this year.”
From an estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors, 1,350 science, engineering, and mathematics students were nominated by 445 academic institutions for this year’s scholarships.
Nominees for the scholarship must intend to pursue a research career in engineering, science, or mathematics and have a grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Each Goldwater Scholar annually receives an amount equal to the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per full academic year.
“I was ecstatic and a bit dumbfounded when I found out I received the scholarship,” said Alexander, a Kingston native. “I am so proud that out of 1,350 students in STEM that applied to this scholarship, that I was one of the 222 women and 63 people selected to pursue research careers in engineering and materials research. I also felt extremely grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Researching Their Opportunities
Alexander and Hess are both heavily involved in research at UT. Alexander has worked at the Scintillation Materials Research Center within the Tickle College of Engineering for the past three years as part of a team researching high entropy transparent ceramics for applications in high energy X-ray radiography.
Alexander just concluded a project based on optimizing hot-pressing temperatures for these ceramics, and her findings will help to optimize the ceramic synthesis process for her entire team.
“I have always said that I want to make a difference in the world. I know it may seem cliché, but I really want my future career to have a positive impact on society and future generations,” Alexander said. “I see this scholarship as one of the first steppingstones to achieving my goal as historically Goldwater Scholars have continued to make waves in their chosen field.”
Hess currently collaborates with Volkswagen to study paper-fiber reinforced polypropylene composites used in automotives. She is performing a study on the effects of chemical additives on thermal stability and processing temperature of polypropylene at the Center for Renewable Carbon under Professor David Harper.
“The Goldwater Scholarship is a big step in my research journey,” said Hess, who is minoring in Honors Leadership Studies. “It represents my success as a researcher, and I believe this award is a testament to the support of my research advisors, mentors, professors, and teachers who have taken time to help me succeed. I hope this shows them that their investments have impact and that they are recognized and appreciated.”
Broader Impacts in the World
Hess spent last summer doing research at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, Germany, where she studied lunar regolith composites with applications of construction on the moon. While there, she was able to attend the 2024 Olympics in France and a Formula 1 race in Spa, Belgium. Hess plans to pursue a PhD with the goal of becoming a research professor
“I want to equip and inspire the next generation of scientists,” Hess said. “I want to use my work on sustainable materials to help achieve carbon neutrality in the automotive industry.”
Alongside her studies at UT, Alexander is a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard, where she works as an electrical and environmental specialist on the KC-135 Stratotankers. She was deployed with the U.S. Air Force for several months last year and got to participate in an F-16 practice flyover of Neyland Stadium in 2023.
“I plan on applying to the Fulbright Program upon completion of my bachelor’s degree and prior to starting my graduate studies,” Alexander said. “I know that being a Goldwater Scholar will help reiterate my strong passion for contributing positively to society and show that I do indeed have potential in helping make a positive impact.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, [email protected])