UD leads nation with five Goldwater Scholars
Photos by Evan Krape March 31, 2026
Students recognized for excellence in science, engineering and mathematics research
Five University of Delaware students have been named 2026 Goldwater Scholars, the most in UD history and the highest total among institutions nationwide this year.
All five of this year’s Goldwater Scholars are members of the UD Honors College; three are juniors, two are sophomores, two are Delaware residents and one is a student-athlete. Their research interests range from artificial intelligence and biogeochemistry to chemometrics, plant biology and polymer science.
Nationwide this year, there are a total of 454 Goldwater Scholars, which recognizes students for their exceptional promise as researchers in science, engineering and mathematics. Only one other university also has five recipients this year, and no Ivy League institution has more than UD.
“On behalf of the UD community, I'm thrilled to congratulate our five Goldwater Scholars on this remarkable achievement," said President Laura Carlson. "Their drive to explore, question and innovate across disciplines reflects the best of the University of Delaware. We are so proud to see their hard work recognized at this prestigious, national level, and we're even more excited for the impact they will go on to make at UD and beyond.”
Michael Chajes, Honors College dean and interim vice provost for undergraduate education, said having five Goldwater Scholars reflects the unique and high-impact experience provided by the Honors College, which was recently ranked No. 11 in the nation.
“This remarkable achievement reflects not only the brilliance and accomplishments of our students, but also the extraordinary mentorship of our faculty and the dedication of the staff in UD’s Office of National Fellowship," Chajes said. “It speaks to a culture of academic excellence, collaboration and deep intellectual curiosity that defines the Honors College."
The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded by the Goldwater Foundation, a federally endowed, independent agency created in 1986. Honoring the late Senator Barry Goldwater, the program is designed to identify, encourage and financially support outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. In 2026, 482 institutions nominated more than 5,000 applicants. With this year’s awards, the foundation has supported more than 11,600 scholars over its 40-year history. Nearly all Goldwater Scholars intend to pursue doctoral degrees, with many going on to earn prestigious fellowships such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the Marshall Scholarship and the Churchill Scholarship.
The University of Delaware recipients represent a range of disciplines and research areas, each contributing to advancing knowledge in their respective fields.
Levi Bielewicz
Levi Bielewicz is a junior from Newark, Delaware, majoring in chemistry with minors in material culture and statistics.
Bielewicz conducts research in chemometrics, focusing on statistical modeling and data analysis in chemistry. Through sustained undergraduate research, he has developed expertise in analytical methods and machine learning applications in chemistry.
Bielewicz plans to pursue a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and a career as a university professor.
“I am grateful for the people who supported my journey and encouraged my passion for research, and I hope to one day create those same opportunities for future students,” he said.
Evan Borodin
Evan Borodin is a sophomore from Laurel, Maryland, majoring in biological sciences and marine science with concentrations in oceanography, and minors in earth sciences and chemistry.
Borodin conducts research in oceanography, biogeochemistry and geomicrobiology, building on hands-on field and laboratory experience.
His work includes research with the Basak Lab of Ocean Geochemistry under Dr. Chandranath Basak, and a six-week expedition in the Labrador Sea. Borodin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in oceanography and a career in environmental research focused on marine microbial biogeochemistry.
“The Barry Goldwater Scholarship will allow me to fully devote my time to research in oceanography and biogeochemistry, driven by my passion for understanding and protecting our environment and oceans,” he said.
Kathleen Higgins
Kathleen Higgins is a sophomore from Fairfax Station, Virginia, pursuing a dual degree in computer science and political science.
Higgins conducts interdisciplinary research in artificial intelligence, misinformation detection and neuroscience. Her work spans multiple institutions and projects, including research on social media sentiment, computational text analysis and AI models in neuroscience. She is also a member of UD’s women’s rowing team.
Higgins plans to pursue advanced study in human-AI interaction while exploring intersections with law, policy and industry research.
“Research showed me how powerful it can be to create real-world impact, and the Goldwater Scholarship validates the work I’ve done and the future I’m building in AI,” she said.
Taran Kermani
Taran Kermani is a junior from Hockessin, Delaware, majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in cell, molecular biology and genetics.
Kermani conducts research in plant biology, focusing on genetic mechanisms underlying biological processes. His work builds on extensive laboratory and field experiences studying plant systems and molecular biology.
Kermani plans to pursue a Ph.D. in plant biology and a career in plant molecular and synthetic biology research.
“The Goldwater Scholarship recognizes my dedication to understanding the questions I’m most curious about and my goal of contributing new knowledge to the field of plant biology,” he said.
Kyle Wodehouse
Kyle Wodehouse is a junior from Mohnton, Pennsylvania, majoring in chemical engineering with minors in mathematics and data science.
Wodehouse conducts research in polymer science and chemical engineering, with interests in machine learning applications. His work includes industry research focused on developing more efficient and sustainable chemical processes.
Wodehouse plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, focusing on polymer physics and data-driven research.
“This recognition reflects both my past research and my potential to contribute to the future of chemical engineering and sustainable industry practices,” he said.
Contact Us
Have a UDaily story idea?
Contact us at ocm@udel.edu
Members of the press
Contact us at mediarelations@udel.edu or visit the Media Relations website
