Howard University student Camille Wimberly was recently selected as a 2026 recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious award that provides funding to college sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers in science, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Wimberly, a rising junior majoring in biology and double minoring in chemistry and philosophy, was one of the 454 students selected to receive a Goldwater Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The scholarship, funded by the Goldwater Foundation, was established in 1986 with a goal of identifying, encouraging, and financially supporting outstanding undergraduate students interested in STEM careers. Goldwater Scholarship recipients receive up to $7,500 that can go towards the cost of tuition, fees, books, or room and board. 

“I was really excited to find out that I was awarded the Goldwater Scholarship,” said Wimberly, who’s part of Howard’s Karsh STEM Scholars program. “It’s helped reinforce my mission of what I’m doing. It was reassuring to see that the Goldwater Scholarship recognizes students that have a promising future in research. I’m very grateful to have been recognized for that.”

An Emerging STEM Researcher

Wimberly’s research pursuits began when she joined Dr. Karl Thompson’s microbiology lab during her first year at Howard. In his lab, Thompson, an associate professor of microbiology, explores how microorganisms adapt, survive, and cause disease with an emphasis on identifying pathways that can be targeted for new therapeutic interventions. Under Thompson’s tutetlage, Wimberly has worked on research that aims to better understand the DNA damage resistance of staphylococcus (staph) aureus, a bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the nose of about 30 percent of individuals. 

Wimberly explained that the goal of this research is to “investigate the functional roles and stress resistance of the SROA and SROB genes when it comes to making staph aureus resistant to DNA damage agents.” 

She added that Thompson’s lab has been a “very nurturing place for me to be comfortable asking questions and comfortable making mistakes. The older undergraduates help out the younger undergraduates a lot. We all bounce off each other. Dr. Thompson is always available. He’s been a great mentor.”

Working in Thompson’s lab helped Wimberly to land other research opportunities. In summer 2025, she participated in the University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Undergraduate Internship Program where she investigated the intersection of the cell wall-modifying enzymes and auxin in leaf morphogenesis. During her freshman and sophomore years, Wimberly also presented her research at Howard’s Research Symposium held during the university’s annual Research Month celebration. 

This summer, Wimberly is taking part in Vanderbilt University’s Medical Scientist Training Program, a research program for undergraduate students interested in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. dual degree. Wimberly added that because of these experiences, she’s looking to expand her research scope of interest, noting that she’s interested in investigating the evolution and transmission of zoonotic diseases and wants to explore more infectious disease research. 

A Passion for Community Service and Research

In addition to her research pursuits, Wimberly shared that she’s passionate about serving communities and individuals in need. She served as the community service director for the university’s chapter of the American Society of Microbiology and she also joined Howard’s Alternative Spring Break program as a database manager. Wimberly is a member of the Precious Pearls Youth Outreach organization and recently became a member of the Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Wimberly found a way to merge her passion for community service with her research interests by helping to expose younger students to STEM research. 

“I’m interested in community and giving back to the community, especially when it comes to STEM-related objectives,” she said. “I held a STEM fair with Howard University Middle School for their students with the American Society of Microbiology. I really enjoyed that because I like working with kids and I like promoting knowledge and STEM-related things that I enjoy.”

Wimberly supports younger learners the same way other Howard students have helped to support her along her academic journey, such as alum Anaya Hota (B.S. ’25), a 2024 Goldwater Scholarship recipient who also worked in Thompson’s microbiology lab. 

“Ananya helped mentor me and it’s been beyond just Goldwater,” said Wimberly. “She’s helped mentor me in certain classes, like when I was taking organic chemistry. Having somebody who’s been in the same shoes that I have been in, guiding me throughout my college experience, that’s meant a lot to me.”