Ohio Northern University senior James Gallagher, a physics major from Medina, Ohio, has been selected as a 2009 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Excellence in Education Program. This marks the fifth consecutive year that ONU students have received this honor, the premier undergraduate award of its type in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.

During summer 2008, Gallagher participated in the Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates at the National Observatory in Tucson, Ariz., where he researched the 11-year solar cycle in the northern and southern hemispheres. He presented his findings to the Ohio Region of the American Physical Society in October 2008, and his research will be published in Solar Physics.

Since November 2007, Gallagher has worked with Dr. Jason Pinkney, associate professor of physics at ONU, in locating a supermassive black hole in galaxy N2976. In spring 2009, he will present his findings to the American Physical Society or the Ohio Region of the American Physical Society.

In addition, John Holodnak, a senior mathematics major from Jefferson, Ohio, received an honorable mention in the competitive national scholarship program. His faculty advisor at ONU was Dr. Mihai Caragiu, associate professor of mathematics.

Holodnak spent summer 2008 at the Mathematical Biology Research Experience for Undergraduates at Texas A&M University where he researched "A Stochastic Model of Tuberculosis." Holodnak presented his findings to the American Mathematical Society-Mathematical Association.

Established in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation fosters and encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. After more than two decades, the foundation has awarded 5,801 scholarships worth approximately $56 million.

This year, the Foundation selected 278 scholarship recipients from a field of 1,097 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.

Published: Thu, 04/02/2009 - 10:29am