SWAGÊÓƵ student Vienna Canright awarded a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship
Vienna Canright (Animal Behavior, ’21) is one of only four recipients from Maine to be awarded a Goldwater Scholarship.
Canright works with Zach Olson, Ph.D., assistant professor of animal behavior in the Department of Psychology, in the area of conservation genetics. She and Olson designed an experiment to validate the efficacy of using a new genetic method, environmental DNA (eDNA), to detect the presence of bats and Northern bog lemmings in particular areas.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Program was established by the United States Congress in 1986 in honor of former United States Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater. It was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields.
In awarding scholarships, the Foundation Board of Trustees will consider the nominated student's field of study and career objectives and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field.
The foundation awarded 396 students with scholarships out of an estimated pool of over 5,000 college sophomores and juniors from 461 academic institutions.
Nominees must have a minimum of a B average, be actively involved in research and have plans to continue with research post-graduation. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.