Which comes first to the mind of Adeline Hiemstra: music or science? For this recent recipient of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, it’s hard to know. Maybe impossible. Her two passions, soon to be formalized into a double-major academic degree at the University of Utah, deeply inform one another, vibrating like electrons oscillating near atomic structures or fingers on a string instrument. 

The metaphors are apt considering Hiemstra’s skill on both the double bass as a musician and as a physicist in the sandbox of the physical sciences. 

Established in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, the Goldwater scholarship “was designed to identify, encourage, and financially support outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these fields” (see goldwaterscholarship.gov). Since 2020 alone, the University of Utah has produced thirteen Goldwater Scholars. In addition to Hiemstra, Nathan Langford, an electrical engineering major in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, was also awarded a Goldwater. 

In perpetual conversation

“Music has taught me perseverance and perfectionism,” Himestra says when asked how music informs physics and vice versa. “I am much more meticulous in my scientific work than I was when I wasn’t holding myself to as high of a musical standard. Physics specifically has informed my musicianship because I’ve learned more about the mechanics of playing my instrument and I’m able to solve problems using physics principles.” 

A sophomore studying music performance and physics, her ambition is to complete a Ph.D. in the latter with the eventual goal of conducting government-funded research in earth sciences relating to climate science and modeling and with an emphasis on atmospheric science. She’s especially interested in the science of artificial snowmaking. At the U, Hiemstra has conducted research on snow under the direction of Tim Garrett and Karlie Rees (Department of Atmospheric Sciences) and Eric Pardyjak and Dhiraj Singh (Department of Mechanical Engineering).