Marquette University Student Awarded Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship: A Triumph in Academic Excellence

MILWAUKEE — Meet Natalia Beans, a sophomore from Marquette University who just received the esteemed Barry Goldwater Scholarship. This award is aimed at supporting young talent in STEM fields who show great promise as researchers.

Out of over 5,000 applicants for the 2025-26 scholarship cycle, Natalia is one of just 441 winners. Each recipient gets $7,500 for their junior and senior years, paving the way for future studies and research.

“Natalia’s achievement speaks volumes about her potential and the excellent opportunities at Marquette,” said President Kimo Ah Yun. “Her story and dedication show the impact of mentorship in research. I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow and inspire future scholars.”

Natalia is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, but her journey has been anything but ordinary. As a childhood cancer survivor, she knows firsthand the toll cancer takes—not just on patients, but on everyone around them. Diagnosed with leukemia in 2006, she turned her experience into motivation. “I believe I survived for a reason,” she shares. “I want to help kids going through similar challenges.”

Her exposure to mentored research solidified her ambition to earn a Ph.D. in cell biology and focus on cancer drug discovery. “Getting involved in research opened my eyes to my future in academia,” she adds.

Currently, she works in Dr. Anita Manogaran’s lab, where she’s already a co-author on a paper published in Molecular Biology of the Cell. The lab studies protein misfolding, which is key to understanding diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. “Having an undergraduate on such a significant article is rare,” says Manogaran. “And Natalia is just a sophomore.”

Natalia credits her mentors, Dr. Rosemary Stuart and Dr. Martin St. Maurice, for supporting her path in research. Their guidance has been instrumental in her growth.

The Goldwater Scholarship has a rich history, created in 1986 in honor of Senator Barry Goldwater. Its mission is to nurture the next generation of research talent in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Since its inception, over 11,000 scholarships have been awarded, leading many recipients to earn prestigious fellowships and awards.

According to recent data from the Goldwater Foundation, about 26% of recipients go on to earn Ph.D.s and create a lasting impact in various fields. As Natalia pursues her dreams, she symbolizes hope and inspiration for many aspiring researchers.

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