Brandon Newmyer Awarded Goldwater Scholarship

Radford University junior biology major and Richmond native Brandon Newmyer was awarded the 2011 Goldwater Scholarship from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. This is the widely regarded as the highest honor for undergraduate students in the sciences. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for educational expenses.

In 1986, the program was established by the United States Congress in honor of former United States Senator Barry M. Goldwater to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Competition for the award is intense.

When Brandon arrived at Radford for new student orientation at Quest, he took advantage of Dr. Mark Cline's invitation to work in his research laboratory, says RU College of Science and Technology Dean J. Orion Rogers. For three years, Brandon has taken advantage of the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Cline, and their efforts have resulted in seven publications of their original research in scientific journals. Brandon serves as first author on three of those publications, and he has three more papers in preparation, adds Rogers.

Newmyer's research has been published in Physiology and Behavior, Journal of Neuroendocrinology, Behavioural Brain Research and Neuroscience Letters. He has also received a research grant from the Virginia Academy of Science.

Brandon Newmyer is the embodiment of taking advantage of opportunities, and he has earned the highest honor ever bestowed upon a science student at Radford University. Dr. Cline is an example of a faculty member who helps students find their passion in learning and go places they never imagined they could go, Rogers says. This achievement is tangible evidence that Radford University is a destination for motivated students to learn from extraordinary faculty members and to achieve success they never dreamed was possible,