Chemistry Major Daniel Hill Receives Goldwater Scholarship

Second-year Daniel Hill is imagining his future in a competitive graduate program as the recipient of a 2019 Goldwater Scholarship.

A chemistry major, Hill has conducted research with Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Matt Elrod for two semesters and during two summers. Hill says his current research interest is in atmospheric chemistry, specifically in how human-introduced pollutants and naturally emitted compounds can react to form potentially harmful and environmentally damaging compounds.

The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Through a highly competitive process, scholars are nominated by academic institutions to compete for funding to help cover the costs of their undergraduate tuition and room and board. Sophomores who are awarded a Goldwater Scholarship will receive up to $7,500 in each of their junior and senior years.

“The Goldwater Scholarship will help me focus more specifically on my goals for the future,” says Hill, who was raised in Oberlin and attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio.  “Having received this award makes me fully realize how highly regarded the research in my field is and how fortunate I am to be conducting this research in Professor Elrod’s lab. Because the Goldwater is respected nationally, it will help me be more competitive for graduate programs and in pursuing my desired career.”

Hill says he intends to pursue a PhD and wants to explore other areas of research related to pollution and contaminants.

At Oberlin, Hill participates in club ice hockey and the Outings Club. He also intends to declare math as a second major.