Dickinson Chemistry Student Named 2020 Goldwater Scholar for Research

Rising senior Jordan Cox '21 (chemistry) represents Dickinson College among the 2020 Goldwater Scholars for exemplary scientific student-research.

Chemistry major Jordan Cox '21 stands before a poster detailing the research she conducted over the summer.

Jordan Cox '21 finds purpose beyond the obstacles in pursuit of Goldwater Scholarship

by Kandace Kohr

Jordan Cox ’21 (chemistry) has earned a 2020 Goldwater Scholarship for exemplary scientific student research. The highly competitive scholarship, which was established in 1986, is awarded each year to the nation's top college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. Cox is the first Dickinsonian to win the award since Olivia Wilkins ’15 in 2014.

“I was competing with science, math and engineering students across the country for less than 400 spots,” says Cox. “The application was rigorous. I wrote an essay based on my summer project about mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the adsorption of triclosan at Rutgers University. The application required two additional essays."

Cox previously participated in the Rutgers’ Advanced Materials Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), through which she worked in labs with a professor and a graduate student mentor. Her research focused on creating new nano-sized materials with applications in environmental remediation of small-molecule drug pollutants from water. This summer, she will be working in New York University’s REU.

Cox’s pursuit of the Goldwater began her sophomore year when she was encouraged to apply early by her research advisor, Professor of Chemistry Amy Witter. Starting early, even just researching the application process and piecing together the components of the prize, proved to be an advantage to Cox. “I actually applied my sophomore year and didn’t receive it, but it gave me practice with the application materials and knowing where my gaps were," she explains. "After gaining more experience, I applied my junior year and was awarded the scholarship.”

In addition to Professor Witter, Cox thanks others at Dickinson and Rutgers who helped her earn the award. Most notably at Dickinson, Associate Professor of Chemistry Sarah St. Angelo and Professor of Chemistry Cindy Samet '82 worked with Goldwater campus representative, Dean and Director of Internships, Externships and Fellowships Amity Fox ’04 to help Cox through the application process.

“Dickinson has prepared me for the future by giving me the tools to think critically and learn quickly,” says Cox. “The college takes a genuine interest in each individual student.”

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Published April 10, 2020