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Junior From Bethesda, Maryland, Wins Goldwater Scholarship April 5 , 2007 -- The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation has named Shira Ziegler ’08 a Goldwater Scholar for 2007-08. A total of 317 scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a pool of 1,110 mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. A neuroscience major from Bethesda, Maryland, Ziegler has already built an impressive resume. “In addition to her outstanding academic achievements at Oberlin, she has amassed an enviable research record working in the molecular neurogenetics section at the National Institutes of Health,” says Associate Professor of Chemistry Manish Mehta, “including two publications on which she is a coauthor and a third paper on which she is the first author.” Ziegler has spent the past four summers and one winter term working at the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Her research has focused on Gaucher disease, an inherited disorder in which excessive amounts of a fatty substance called glucocerebroside accumulate in the spleen, liver, lungs and bone marrow. Gaucher disease, which can be fatal, is caused by a lack of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GBA) which breaks down glucocerebroside. Ziegler has embraced the wealth of opportunities provided to her by both Oberlin and the NIH. “While working at the NIH has provided me with an in-depth understanding of molecular genetics,” says Ziegler, “Oberlin has offered me a broad education and an appreciation of the liberal arts....Oberlin has allowed me to deepen my interest in the sciences while also exploring other academic fields like poetry and art history.” Currently studying abroad at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, Ziegler has also been an academic ambassador, a resident assistant, and a tutor for organic chemistry at Oberlin. During her first winter term she worked at Environmental Defense, a nonprofit organization that links science, economics, and law to create innovative solutions to urgent environmental problems. There, she analyzed industry reports on toxicity of high production volume chemicals and compiled research on nanotechnology related to public health and the environment. Her career plans after Oberlin include pursuing a combined MD/PhD in molecular genetics. She would like to conduct research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie genetic disorders, improving patient care and treatment. Receiving honorable mention recognition from the Goldwater Foundation was Anne Cherry ’08, a biology and neuroscience major from Portland, Oregon. Cherry has spent the past two summers participating in research at the Neurological Sciences Institute in Portland, helping to develop new therapies for stroke victims. Her career plans include pursuing a PhD in neuroscience and conducting research on treatments for neurological pathologies such as stroke. She would also like to teach in a university setting. Oberlin has had 12 Goldwater Scholarship winners in the past 5 years and 19 winners in the last 10 years. The one- and two-year scholarships go toward the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board for up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Goldwater Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. - ### - Media Contact: Scott Wargo < back to current press releases
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