Two Franklin College juniors named Goldwater Scholars

University of Georgia juniors Audrey Conner and Emilio Ferrara have been named 2023 Barry Goldwater Scholars, earning the highest undergraduate award of its type for the fields of mathematics, engineering and natural sciences.

Both are Foundation Fellows and Stamps Scholars in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Morehead Honors College. Conner, from Tifton, is majoring in chemistry; Ferrara, from Atlanta, is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology. Both presented their research at UGA’s annual undergraduate research symposium—the CURO Symposium—in early April.

Since 1995, 66 UGA students have received the Goldwater Scholarship, which recognizes exceptional sophomores and juniors across the United States.

“The University of Georgia commends Audrey and Emilio on this prestigious honor,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “We are excited to see them excel as undergraduate researchers who are already contributing a great deal to their fields and to UGA’s research enterprise.”

This year’s 413 Goldwater Scholars include 48 mathematics and computer science majors, 57 engineering majors and 308 natural sciences majors. The recipients were selected from a field of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors who were nominated by 427 academic institutions nationwide. Each awardee will receive up to $7,500 per year toward the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board.

“Audrey and Emilio represent the best of undergraduate research at UGA, and we are so proud of their accomplishments,” said Meg Amstutz, dean of the Morehead Honors College. “We are thankful for the UGA faculty and staff dedicated to helping both of them achieve their status as Goldwater Scholars.”

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Images: 2023 Barry Goldwater Scholars Audrey Conner (L) and Emilio Ferrara. (Photos by Stephanie Schupska)