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Vinay Ramasesh
Vinay Ramasesh received the Goldwater scholarship for his computational chemistry.
Samuel Mark Thompson
Samuel Mark Thompson received the Goldwater Scholarship for his research on thermosensitive polymers.
Korok Chatterjee
Korok Chatterjee received honorable mention status in the Goldwater Scholarship Competition for his research on consolidating cryptography and error-control coding
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UNT leads Texas in number of Goldwater Scholars, honorable mentions
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Two University of North Texas students have been named 2008 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, while a third student received honorable mention status in this year's scholarship competition. For the third year in a row, more UNT students were named Goldwater Scholars and honorable mentions than students at any other Texas college or university. The scholarships are considered to be among the country's most prestigious scholarships awarded to students planning careers in mathematics, science and engineering. All college sophomores and juniors are eligible to compete for the scholarships, which provide a maximum of $7,500 each year for one or two years to cover tuition, fees, books and room and board. Universities may nominate up to four students for the award. Students are chosen on the basis of their scientific research, grade point averages and other achievements. The Goldwater Foundation, a federally endowed agency established in 1986 to honor the former senator, awarded 321 scholarships for this year. Another 156 students were named honorable mentions in this year's scholarship competition. This year's scholars from UNT -- Vinay Ramasesh and Samuel Mark Thompson -- and the honorable mention student -- Korok Chatterjee -- are all students at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, a two-year residential program at UNT that allows talented students to complete their freshman and sophomore years of college while earning their high school diplomas. Students enroll in the academy following their sophomore year in high school, live in a UNT residence hall and attend UNT classes with college students. Dr. James Duban, director of UNT's Office for Nationally Competitive Scholarships and chairman of the university's Barry M. Goldwater Faculty Nominating and Mentoring Committee, said the success of these students in the Goldwater competition "indicates that they are well on their way to careers of distinction and contribution in the worlds of math and science." "Their success also reflects the merits of the undergraduate research-based education that has encouraged their personal and professional development," he said. "I am very proud of their achievement and what that indicates about the educational opportunities available through TAMS and UNT." Dr. Richard Sinclair, TAMS dean, said these accomplished students all have "passion for whatever their task may be." "They have determination and focus, and they are always in motion. I predict great things from them," Sinclair said. Ramasesh, from Fort Worth, received the Goldwater scholarship for his computational chemistry research. Working in the laboratory of Dr. Angela Wilson, associate professor of chemistry, he examined a class of quantum mechanical methods called local methods, which are used to calculate the potential energy of molecular systems. Ramasesh was previously recognized for his research when he was named a finalist in February in the 2008 Intel Science Talent Search, which is the nation's premier program to recognize high school student research in science, mathematics and engineering. He received $6,000 in scholarships for being one of 40 students in the nation selected as finalists in the Intel competition. Ramasesh was also named a regional finalist last October in the 2007 Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science & Technology, another national competition that honors mathematics and science research projects conducted by high school students. As one of 15 Texas students chosen as a regional finalist, he presented his research before a panel of judges. In addition, he received a first-place award for his chemistry research in the Fort Worth Regional Science Fair last month and also placed second in the "Best of Fair" category. For placing second, Ramasesh qualified for the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which will include projects from 1,500 high school students representing more than 40 countries and all 50 states. The fair will be held in Atlanta May 11-17. The son of Ranga and Nalini Ramasesh of Fort Worth, Ramasesh attended North Crowley High School before entering TAMS in August 2006. At TAMS, he is president of Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematics honor society. Under his direction, the organization sponsored a math tournament for TAMS students last semester to raise money for charity. Ramasesh also qualified for the USA Mathematical Olympiad, a prestigious annual mathematics competition that consists of a six-question, nine-hour mathematical proof examination spread out over two days. In addition, Ramasesh has been a member of the TAMS Science Bowl Team, which placed in the top 16 in national competition, and the TAMS chapter of the Junior Engineering Technical Society, or JETS. As a JETS member, Ramasesh is part of a team of TAMS students participating in the 2008 National Engineering and Design Challenge, which challenges students to design assistive technology devices that people with disabilities can actually use to succeed in the workplace and in their lives. The TAMS team received a second-place, Outstanding Assistive Technology Design award for designing an Ergonomic Spool Assembly System, an adjustable table that combines adjustable height and incline to allow workers in wheelchairs to manufacture spools easily. After graduating from TAMS May 9, Ramasesh will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston to major in mathematics and physics. He plans to earn a doctoral degree in physics from MIT and conduct research in nanotechnology at the Berkeley Nanosciences and Nanoengineering Institute at the University of California at Berkeley. Thompson, from Brownfield in Terry County, received the Goldwater Scholarship for his research on thermosensitive polymers, or "smart gels," which have applications in the biomedical field because they swell and shrink in response to temperature changes. Thompson conducted the research in the laboratory of Dr. Zhibing Hu, UNT Regents Professor of physics. Thompson was also previously recognized for his research when he was named a semifinalist in the 2008 Intel Science Talent Search in February and a regional finalist in the 2007 Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science & Technology. The son of Paul and Kristina Thompson of Brownfield, Thompson attended Brownfield Senior High School before entering TAMS in August 2006. He is editor-in-chief of the TAMS student yearbook, a member of the National Honor Society and a biology, calculus and chemistry tutor for the UNT Learning Center. He volunteers at a Denton retirement center through Helping Other People Everywhere, a TAMS community service organization. After graduating from TAMS May 9, Thompson will attend either the California Institute of Technology or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He plans to earn a doctoral degree in chemistry and conduct research and teach at a major research university. Chatterjee, from Plano, received honorable mention status in the Goldwater Scholarship Competition for his research on consolidating cryptography and error-control coding, which are used to protect the privacy of electronic information such as government intelligence, bank and corporate records and e-mail messages. He worked in the laboratory of Dr. Murali R. Varanasi, chairman of the Department of Electrical Engineering in UNT's College of Engineering. Chatterjee was also named a semifinalist in the 2008 Intel Science Talent Search for his research. In addition, he received a second-place award in his category, Electrical Engineering, and other special awards in the Fort Worth Regional Science Fair. He qualified for the 2008 ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held April 9-12 in San Antonio. The son of Amitava and Radharani Chatterjee of Plano, Chatterjee attended Clark High School before entering TAMS in August 2006. At TAMS, he is vice president of JETS and was co-president of Mu Alpha Theta. He was also on the TAMS Science Bowl team and is a tutor for the Math Lab in the UNT Department of Mathematics. In addition, he volunteers at a Denton middle school, where he tutors students, and plays tenor trombone in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra's Wind Symphony. Chatterjee will attend the University of California at Berkeley after graduating from TAMS May 9. His career goals include earning a doctoral degree in physics from Stanford University and conducting research on developing a quantum theory of gravity at a research institution like the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Il. UNT has had 39 Goldwater Scholars since 1996. Other Texas universities with Goldwater Scholars and honorable mentions this year include Baylor University (1), Rice University (2), Texas A&M University (1), Texas Tech University (2), the University of Texas at Austin (2), the University of Texas at Dallas (1) and the University of Texas at San Antonio (1). Serving on the UNT Faculty Goldwater Nominating and Mentoring Committee were Dr. Elizabeth Bator, associate professor of mathematics; Duban; Dr. Jannon Fuchs, professor of biological sciences; Dr. Shushama Dandekar, lecturer of chemistry; and Dr. Samuel Matteson, professor of physics.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Nancy Kolsti (940) 565-3509
Email: nkolsti@unt.edu
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