Landon Clark named 2020 Goldwater Scholar

A third-year CURO Honors Scholar who is triple majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, genetics and biology, Landon Clark is among 396 undergraduates across the nation to be recognized as Barry Goldwater Scholars, earning the highest undergraduate award of its type for the fields of the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering:

Clark’s long-term plans include pursuing an MD/PhD in immunology, performing translational research on immune diseases using gene and immunotherapy techniques, and teaching at a university. As a translational researcher specializing in immunology, he plans to use gene therapy techniques to treat and cure immune disorders in humans.

Since his first weeks as a UGA freshman in August 2017, Clark has conducted research in the lab of Michael Terns, Distinguished Research Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He researches the complex processes of CRISPR-Cas immune systems through a model archaeal organism, Pyrococcus furiosus. Now a junior, he has collaborated on three different projects, co-authored a paper, and mentors other undergraduates in this field.

Last summer, he worked in the translational research lab of H. Trent Spencer, a professor of pediatrics and director of the gene and cell therapy program at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute. There, Clark researched immune diseases and potential gene therapy techniques. In 2017, he also conducted research on sociological variables influencing educational inequality with Dawn Robinson, a professor of sociology at UGA.

Clark is a Crane Leadership Scholar, director of academic outreach for the Student Government Association, director of internal communications for UGA Red Cross, an exam writer for UGA Science Olympiad Outreach, co-president of the Biochemistry Undergraduate Society, co-president of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society, and treasurer of the Honors Program Student Council. He also volunteers in the neuroscience and cardiology units at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

Outstanding. Clark is the 61st Goldwater Scholar at UGA since 1995 and we could not be more proud of this accomplished young scholar. Great people, making a difference.