Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Engineering student earns Goldwater scholarship

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

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010