CHAMPAIGN, Ill. —University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sophomore Braden Moore was awarded a $15,000 Barry M. Goldwater scholarship for his potential to contribute to the advancement of research in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering.
Moore, from Downers Grove, Illinois, and a graduate of Downers Grove North High School, is majoring in nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering. He said he aspires to work at a national laboratory developing the components necessary to make nuclear fusion a viable energy source. Moore has compiled a 4.0 GPA as a member of both the college James Scholar Honors Program and the Campus Honors Program.
Moore spent the past two years conducting research at the Center for Plasma-Material Interactions under the direction of Illinois engineering professor David Ruzic. Moore performs lithium wetting experiments on a variety of fusion-relevant substrates to assist in the development of liquid lithium plasma facing components. In summer 2021, Moore participated in a virtual internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, working on the design of a steady-state linear plasma device.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Goldwater, who served 30 years in the U.S. Senate. The program encourages the continued development of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to sophomores and juniors from the U.S. who intend to pursue doctorates. The scholarship provides recipients $7,500 annually toward undergraduate tuition, fees, books or room and board. This year’s 417 scholars were selected from among an estimated pool of over 5,000 college sophomores and juniors from across the country.
Editor’s note: For more information, contact David Schug, National and International Scholarships Program director, 217-333-4710; topscholars@illinois.edu
