Two UA Students Win Goldwater Scholarships for 2018

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program has selected two University of Alabama students as Goldwater Scholars for 2018-2019.

The two UA students are:

Elizabeth Rowe, of Chicago

Elizabeth Rowe has conducted research under the advisement of Dr. Paul A. Rupar, an assistant professor in chemistry, since the fall of her freshman year. Her work investigates the anionic ring-opening polymerization of azetidines. These polymers have a wide range of applications including carbon dioxide capture, antimicrobial coatings, chelation (removing metals from water), material templating and gene transfection and drug delivery. Outside of research, Rowe is the liaison and educational outreach director for the Society of Women Engineers. She plans to pursue a research career in chemistry after obtaining her doctorate. Her parents are William and Margaret Rowe.

Donna Xia, of Tuscaloosa

Donna Xia is a chemical engineering major and a Randall Research Scholars student. Her faculty mentor at UA is Dr. David A. Dixon, Robert Ramsay Professor of Chemistry. An overall goal of Xia’s research in the Dixon group is to develop computational chemistry approaches to aid the Department of Energy’s efforts to provide new nuclear materials that meet the nation’s needs for energy and national security, as well as to deal with the environmental legacy issues due to the production of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Outside of research, Xia is a leader in organizations for engineers in medicine and works as a scribe at University Medical Center. Her parents are Paul Xia and Carola Hsieh.

Scholarships of up to $7,500 a year are provided to help cover costs associated with tuition, mandatory fees, books and room and board.