Each year, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program awards six scholarships to Coloradans. The program aims to produce “a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.” Applied mathematics major Derek Driggs is one of three recipients from the University of Colorado at Boulder to be awarded the $7,500 scholarship. He credits his research experience as a large part of his success. Due to a grant from the National Institute of Science, undergraduates have the opportunity to become involved with department research. Driggs is currently working with Professor Stephen Becker, Professor Keith Julien of the applied math department as while as Professor Tor Wager of the Neuroscience department. Driggs is currently a junior, and hopes to enter a computational Ph.D. program after his time at CU. He is from Golden, Colorado and enjoys fencing in his free time.
Written by Danielle Hawley