WASHINGTON – Howard University rising senior Jaquesta Adams has been named a 2019-2020 Goldwater Scholar, making her the first student in Howard’s history to receive the prestigious award. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Sen. Barry Goldwater. Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

“On behalf of the entire Howard University community, I extend our congratulations to Jaquesta Adams on becoming the first student of Howard University to receive a Goldwater Scholarship,” says President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “This recognition for her academic performance in science and math is a tremendous accomplishment and we look forward to her continued success inside and outside the classroom.” 

Adams is a rising senior working toward a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in math and biology. As a member of the Clayborne Research Group at Howard University, she performs simulations at the interface of chemistry and biology. Adams is also a member of the Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society, the American Chemical Society, and the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. 

“I’ve spent my entire undergraduate career working toward becoming a better researcher so that I can go to graduate school and be successful in this process of discovery,” says Adams. “Being awarded the Goldwater Scholarship was very affirming of what I’ve been working toward. It’s also really significant because no one from Howard has ever been awarded the scholarship, and it was difficult to find any Black Goldwater Scholars or scholars from an HBCU. I hope this means more people who look like me can be awarded in the future. 

Adams’ research to date has focused on nanotechnology and drug delivery. In the future, she hopes to pursue research that supports developments in biodegradable medical devices that provide safer, more effective, and less invasive treatments for neurological diseases and disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease. As a Goldwater Scholar, Adams will receive up to $7,500 in financial support for her final year of undergraduate studies. 

An advocate for service and outreach, Adams was a participant in Gates Millennium Scholars Alternative Spring Break. She mentors high school students, has served as a judge with the Howard University Middle School Science Fair and has assisted Upward Bound students in applying for colleges and scholarships. After graduation, Adams plans to earn a doctoral degree, complete post-doctoral studies and become a professor.

The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Adams was one of less than 500 college students chosen from a pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors across the United States for the 2019-2020 academic year. Goldwater Scholars have impressive academic and research credentials that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs, such as Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Awards, Churchill Scholarships, Hertz Fellowships, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, and numerous other distinguished awards.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that comprises 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, more than 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu