Cameron Owen: Chemistry

The College of Science Research Scholar Award is given annually to one graduating student who demonstrates a record of exceptional success in research and education. From the Class of 2019, we have selected Cameron Own, a highly-accomplished student who is graduating with a bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry, Physics, and a minor in Mathematics this year.

In addition to his studies, Cameron has been heavily involved in research during his time at the U, working in the Armentrout Research Group since he was a freshman. His involvement in the Armentrout Group has led to multiple publications, on three of which Cameron has been the lead author. Furthermore, Cameron’s research has also aided in his success in national scholarship competitions. As a junior, he was awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, and as a senior, he was awarded a Winston Churchill Scholarship. This latter award will allow Cameron to ascertain a MPhil at the University of Cambridge next year, after which he will attend Harvard University to obtain a Ph.D.

Cameron has enjoyed his time at the U, and credits his success to the supportive environment provided in the Chemistry Department at the U and in the Armentrout Research Group. Cameron has also received multiple awards from the Chemistry Department, including the Ronald Ragsdale Scholarship and the Ferdinand Peterson Scholarship during his sophomore year. Ultimately, Cameron thinks he wants to go into industry or a start-up following the completion of his degrees, but is open to the idea of becoming a professor. Lastly, Cameron would like to the thank the College of Science for considering him for this award and for creating an environment at the U that focuses on research and scientific curiosity.

Graduate Research Opportunities

opportunity is knocking


The University of Utah continues to develop groundbreaking research on a local, national, and international level. In addition to the U’s diverse research portfolio, the institution is also a catalyst for economic growth and innovation, creating over 280 spin-out companies—and 16,000 jobs – from the university’s inventions and technologies (BEBR Report, 2011). With the determination and support of our research community, the University of Utah will continue to develop cutting-edge research to enhance the lives of current and future generations to come.

 


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Graduate School Faculty

Faculty Profiles


Meet Your Mentors.

   

 

Jamie Gagnon, Biology

A Vermont native, Gagnon arrived at the University of Utah in January 2018 from Harvard. Previous to that he earned a PhD from Brown University and a BS from Worcester Polytechnic west of Boston.

In Utah Gagnon went from post-doc to principal investigator and Assistant Professor of Biology. In his lab at the Center for Cell and Genome Science, Gagnon curates 10,000 fish in 1,000 controlled tanks carefully labeled for experiments.

 

 

 

Ming Hammond, Chemistry

Pearl earned her PhD in Physics from the University of Minnesota and served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Weinberg Theory Group at the University of Texas at Austin before joining the University of Utah in 2011.

Her research interests are in particle physics beyond the Standard Model, including possible explanations for the dark matter in the universe.

Pearl currently serves as the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs as the College moves forward on many new academic fronts.

 

 

 

Ming Hammond, Chemistry

A Vermont native, Gagnon arrived at the University of Utah in January 2018 from Harvard. Previous to that he earned a PhD from Brown University and a BS from Worcester Polytechnic west of Boston.

In Utah Gagnon went from post-doc to principal investigator and Assistant Professor of Biology. In his lab at the Center for Cell and Genome Science, Gagnon curates 10,000 fish in 1,000 controlled tanks carefully labeled for experiments.

 

 

 

Pearl Sandick, Physics

Pearl earned her PhD in Physics from the University of Minnesota and served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Weinberg Theory Group at the University of Texas at Austin before joining the University of Utah in 2011.

Her research interests are in particle physics beyond the Standard Model, including possible explanations for the dark matter in the universe.

Pearl currently serves as the Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs as the College moves forward on many new academic fronts.

 

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Graduate School Application Process

Graduate Students

A broad range of graduate programs up through and including the Ph.D. is offered through the individual departments. For information on individual graduate programs in each area, visit the departmental website.

Professional Masters of Science and Technology (PMST)

The PMST degree is a professional, non-thesis, interdisciplinary program that combines graduate studies in science and mathematics with skills from other professional domains, such as business, communication and management.

Masters of Science in Computational Engineering and Science (CES)

The CES degree is an interdisciplinary program that provides experience in the computational solution of scientific or engineering problems, including an understanding of the scientific context of the problem, the mathematical modeling of the problem, the choice of mathematical and numerical methodology, the selection of computer architecture and algorithms, and the visual and/or statistical rendering of computational results.

 


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Goldwater Scholarship

GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP


The Goldwater Foundation awards $7,500 scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students in the spring of 2021 for the 2021-22 academic year.

Awards are made on the basis of merit to students who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering. The University of Utah may nominate up to four students each academic year. Applicants must be a current sophomore or junior pursuing a bachelor degree, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident.

Goldwater scholarships are awarded to students who have been nominated by their educational institution. The University of Utah internal deadline to apply is November 23, 2020. To be considered for nomination all materials including letters of recommendation must be submitted by the internal deadline.

Goldwater Nomination Process

Candidates must complete pre-screening BEFORE they are allowed to apply.

  • Complete Student Profile and Pre-Application at  https://goldwater.scholarsapply.org.
  • Contact three research or academic faculty members to provide a letter of recommendation.
  • Provide each faculty member a signed FERPA_Release_for Goldwater (pdf).
  • Provide the names and email addresses of the recommenders when you submit the Pre-Application.
  • Goldwater Pre-Applications will be reviewed within 7 days. If you meet the eligibility screening for the award you will be given access to the Goldwater online application.

Goldwater Application Process


To be considered for scholarship nomination all materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by the University deadline of November 23, 2020. The January 2021deadline as mentioned in the Goldwater Foundation announcement is the deadline for nominations to the Goldwater Foundation.

  • Goldwater Online Application form: Submitted by candidate
  • Backpack (document upload area in online application form) must contain:
    • 1 Research Essay (uploaded by candidate)
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation (uploaded by Campus Representative)
    • University of Utah Transcript (uploaded by Campus Representative)
    • Official transcripts from other institutions attended, if applicable (candidate requests transcript to be sent to Campus Representative to be uploaded)
    • 1 Copy of a Permanent Resident Card (if the candidate is a Permanent Resident – uploaded by the candidate)
    • 1 Letter of Intent to Become a U.S. Citizen (if the candidate is a Permanent Resident – uploaded by the candidate)

Essays should be single spaced and use 12-point Arial font, must not exceed 3 pages. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. Include your name and institution name at the top of each page.