TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program has selected three University of Alabama students as Goldwater Scholars for 2024-2025.
The latest selections bring UA’s number of Goldwater Scholars to 65.
The three students are Jackson Maxwell, of Pelham; Lena Seyfarth, of Janesville, Wisconsin; and Michael Zengel, of New Orleans.
Jackson Maxwell is an Honors College student studying chemistry and mathematics. He is currently working under Dr. David Dixon where he uses advanced computational chemistry methods to characterize actinide fluoride salts that are used in molten salt nuclear reactors.
Maxwell plans to pursue a doctorate degree in physical chemistry and conduct research on coordination chemistry of f-block elements while teaching at the university level.
Outside of research, Maxwell is a member of Gamma Sigma Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa and Pi Mu Epsilon honors societies. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Band, Concert Band and Athletic Pep Band. His parents are Greg and Melanie Maxwell.
Lena Seyfarth is a Randall Research Scholar studying biology. She has been working with Drs. Brandon Kim, Guy Caldwell and Kim Caldwell to investigate the interaction of mid-brain dopaminergic neurons and brain endothelial cells during bacterial meningitis.
Seyfarth plans to pursue a doctorate degree focused on infectious and genetic disease and become a lead investigator at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Outside of research, Seyfarth is a research team leader for the Randall Research Scholars Peer Resource Organization, vice president of UA’s chapter of the American Society of Microbiology and member of Tri Beta biology honors society. She is also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi at UA. Her parents are Nicole and Alexander Seyfarth.
Michael Zengel is a Randall Research Scholar studying physics and mathematics. Under the leadership of Dr. Adam Hauser, Zengel researches the structural and electronic properties of novel Heusler compounds using computation methods like Density Functional Theory.
Zengel plans on pursuing a doctorate degree in physics, focusing on condensed matter physics. He eventually plans to be a university professor, teaching and conducting research.
Outside of the classroom, Zengel is a computer lab manager for the Randall Research Scholars Program, treasurer of UA’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students and an editor on the Journal of Science and Health at UA, or JOSHUA. His parents are Undine Jost and Peter Zengel.
The UA Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships assists students in the pursuit of national and international awards including the Goldwater, Rhodes, Marshall and Churchill, among others. Students interested in applying for awards that require an institutional endorsement can learn more on the External Scholarships and Fellowships website.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, bryant.welbourne@ua.edu, 205-348-8325