Chemistry student Evan Dray is one of four UIUC students awarded Barry M. Goldwater scholarships for their potential to contribute to the advancement of research in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering.
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 college 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.
Dray, of East Peoria, Illinois, and a graduate of East Peoria Community High School, is pursuing majors in chemistry and molecular and cellular biology to support his career goals in oncology and pharmacology. Dray desires to teach and conduct translational research at a medical university designing novel immunotherapy drugs to fight cancer.
A junior, Dray is a member of both the college James Scholar Honors Program and the Molecular and Cellular Biology Honors Concentration. Dray’s research in the lab of Illinois neuroscience professor Daniel McKim has resulted in two publications, including a first-author publication in Molecular Immunology. Dray led a class of 25 freshmen as their semester instructor, tutors students in chemistry and serves as a mentor to first- and second-year students in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
This year’s 410 Goldwater scholars were selected from among the 1,256 mathematics, science and engineering students nominated by colleges and universities nationwide.
Read more about UIUC's four Goldwater scholars.