Three University of Richmond Students Awarded Goldwater Scholarships to Further Faculty-Mentored Research

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Three University of Richmond students — Anna Johnson, Nicholas Parlavecchio, and Eric Zhou — have received Goldwater scholarships, one of the most sought-after and prestigious undergraduate awards in science and math.

The Goldwater scholarship is open to college sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers and fostering excellence in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The University’s latest Goldwater scholars include:

Anna Johnson, Class of 2027, is majoring in chemistry. With the mentorship of chemistry professor Wade Downey, Johnson is studying synthetic chemistry and developing new chemical reactions.

Her current research focuses on the development of a novel chemical reaction that allows chemists to construct complex nitrogen-containing molecules that may prove valuable in pharmaceutical discovery. Reflecting on what draws her to synthetic chemistry, Johnson said, “I think the goal of every synthetic chemist is to contribute to the betterment of society in some capacity. For me, the idea that I could develop a reaction on a Monday that the pharmaceutical industry uses on a Tuesday is incredibly exciting.”

Johnson plans to pursue a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry and build a career focused on developing reactions to construct strained hydrocarbons that have traditionally been difficult to incorporate into new therapeutics. By making these structures easier to access, she hopes to give other scientists new tools for designing better medicines.

Nicholas Parlavecchio, Class of 2027, is majoring in biology and geography. With the mentorship of biology professor Jonathan Richardson, his research has focused on urban ecology and how geographic information, urban rodent ecology, and GIS can be leveraged to address ecological questions — for example, to support mammal conservation and mitigate rat populations in cities.

“Through these experiences, I have developed both a strong biological foundation and the technical skills needed to integrate spatial technologies into ecological inquiry,” said Parlavecchio.

Parlavecchio plans to pursue a Ph.D. in ecology and hopes to specialize in coastal ecology and work at a government agency like the National Park Service to inform science-based coastal resource management.

Eric Zhou, Class of 2027, is majoring in chemistry and minoring in biology. With the mentorship of chemistry professor Wade Downey, he is studying organic chemistry — specifically, indole synthesis, which has implications in the pharmaceutical industry. Zhou aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical biology and an M.D. in internal medicine, become a physician-scientist at an academic institution, and open a lab researching chemical probes to explain disease mechanisms. 

“For many diseases, we still lack full understanding of their mechanism of action” said Zhou, who is also a Richmond Scholar and Beckman Scholar. “Manipulating biological systems is at the intersection of chemistry and biology and often requires an interdisciplinary approach. My education and research plan will expose me to a wide scope of knowledge so that I may contribute towards new scientific understanding.”

Including these awards, UR has had 46 Goldwater Scholars since the program’s inception in 1986.

“University of Richmond students are competitive for this prestigious award due to both their commitment to rigorous academics and the steadfast commitment of their faculty mentors,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, which facilitates UR’s Goldwater scholar process.

###