Three juniors at Washington University in St. Louis John Georgiades, Shelei Pan and Kaung Ken Soe have received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious award that honors students who conduct research in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

John Georgiades, a chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry in Arts & Sciences, plans to use organic synthesis, biochemistry and structure-based drug design to develop new drug candidates. Georgiades is a research assistant in the lab of Timothy Wencewicz, associate professor of chemistry. In addition, Georgiades is co-director of the Washington University STEM Education Association, vice president of the Washington University Cancer Research Club, an organic chemistry learning assistant and a violinist with the Washington University Symphony Orchestra.

Shelei Pan, who is majoring in biology,on the neuroscience track,and Spanishin Arts & Sciences, plans to research cerebrospinal fluid handling in the developing brain to better understand and develop treatments for pediatric hydrocephalus. Pan is a research assistant in the lab of Jennifer Strahle, MD, an associate professorof neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery and pediatricsat the School of Medicine. Pan publishedresearchthatcharacterized cerebrospinal fluid circulation to specific functional areas of the neonatal brain and spinal cord.Pan alsolaunchedMade to Model, whichdesignsclothes for children with disabilities.

Kaung Ken Soe, a chemistry major, with a concentration in biochemistry, in Arts & Sciences, plans to research the mechanics of protein condensation and to identify better therapeutic targets to prevent neurodegeneration. Soe is a researcher in the lab of Meredith Jackrel, an assistant professor of chemistry. Soe has published and presented his research at multiple national and regional conferences. In addition, Soe is also a MARC uSTARfellow, a general chemistry peer tutor and avolunteer at theSitemanCancer Center.

In all, 413 students were selected from a field of some 5,000 candidates. The award was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the legacy of U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater.

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Three juniors selected as Goldwater Scholars - The Source ... - Washington University in St. Louis