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Erik Genet ’26 and Shabab Kabir ’26 were awarded Goldwater Scholarships by the .  

The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prominent national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify and support second- and third-year college students who show exceptional promise to become this nation’s next generation of research leaders in their fields. This year, 441 new scholars were selected from a total of 1,350 nominees from colleges and universities around the country.

Erik Genet

“The Goldwater Scholarship will provide me with newfound opportunities to not just seek answers, but crucially and critically propose pressing, thought-provoking questions for an ever-evolving world in need of each other’s gifts,” Genet says. “I strongly believe realizing this ideal means recognizing that the societal implications of scientific research are equally important as the overall results.”

Genet, a chemistry and physics double major who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science, adds, “I see these implications in my own projects through publicly discussing their monetary and energy costs, environmental and personal health, and actively appreciating insights from those with different levels of scientific understanding.”

Genet, a third-year student at ɬ�﷬ from Sunnyvale, California, will be conducting research on electrochemically capturing carbon dioxide with redox-active sorbents at Johns Hopkins University in summer 2025. He will be part of the REU Research on Sustainable Energy Technology and Systems (ROSETAS) program and the Liu research group. 

His previous research experiences include serving as a research assistant for “Xenon Trapping in Silica Nanocages on Diverse Metal Substrates“ in collaboration with ɬ�﷬’s physics department and Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials; and working as a research student for a Mentored Intermediate Project (MIP) titled “Electrochemically Detecting Europium (III) in Water” in ɬ�﷬’s chemistry department. Genet has presented his research at poster sessions at ɬ�﷬, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and at the American Physical Society’s 2025 Global Summit in Anaheim, California.

At ɬ�﷬, Genet is a science community leader (SCL) for organic chemistry and serves on the chemistry Student Educational Policy Committee (SEPC). His long-term career goal is to hold a research position in sustainable materials science at a national laboratory or university where he can provide a supportive working atmosphere for the next generation of scientific researchers. His research intentions are to construct and investigate the nanoscale electronic and steric properties of inexpensive, environmentally-benign monolayers, which, under a non-zero voltage, can selectively remove heavy metals, nitrates, volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous chemicals from air and water. Simultaneously, he seeks to ground his research in relevant international science policy and global development, particularly United Nations efforts to address air and water pollution.

Genet’s academic advisers and mentors at ɬ�﷬ are Assistant Professor of Chemistry Molly MacInnes, Ph.D.; and Associate Professor of Physics Kristen Burson, Ph.D., along with mentorship and support from J. Anibal Boscoboinik, Ph.D., research adviser at Brookhaven National Lab.

Shabab Kabir

“I am honored to receive the Goldwater Scholarship,” says Shabab Kabir. “It underscores my commitment to pursuing breakthroughs in quantum computing and material science, and I look forward to using this support to push scientific boundaries in ways that remain accessible and inclusive.”

Kabir has crafted an independent major on mathematical physics and sonic materiality with a concentration in digital studies. In summer 2025, he will conduct research at the Argonne National Laboratory, working on quantum network node synchronization for scalable quantum communication. 

Kabir’s other research experiences include investigating noble gas trapping in silica nanocages at Brookhaven National Laboratory; analyzing quantum computing for lattice gauge theory simulations at Fermilab; researching spectral analysis at Oklahoma City University; and conducting advanced computational chemistry research at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.

Additionally, Kabir is a virtual reality researcher at ɬ�﷬’s Immersive Experiences Lab, where he has broadened his interdisciplinary approach, bridging technology, mathematics, and creative problem-solving. 

He has presented poster and oral presentations at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, ɬ�﷬, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Midstates Undergraduate Research Symposium, and most recently, at the American Physical Society’s 2025 Global Summit in Anaheim, California.

Kabir, a third-year student from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, serves on the Independent Major Student Educational Policy Committee (SEPC) and is a community adviser fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in the residence halls. He is involved in campus advocacy work and currently participates in the musical group Balinese Sound Ensemble. Previously, he also participated in the Zimbabwean Mbira group and the Jazz Ensemble. 

Kabir plans to pursue a Ph.D. in quantum information systems, focusing on theoretical, computational, and experimental aspects of quantum research. He wants to work collaboratively with national laboratories and research institutions, contributing to advancements that help address real-world challenges. 

“In the long term, I’d like to find ways to support emerging scientists, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, so we can collectively foster a more inclusive scientific community,” Kabir says. “While much remains to be explored, I’m committed to learning alongside others and making meaningful contributions to the field.”

Kabir’s research mentors are Burson, Boscoboinik, and Henry Lamm, Ph.D., associate scientist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. His academic advisers at ɬ�﷬ are Professor of Physics Charles Cunningham, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor of Music Putu Hiranmayena, and Associate Professor of Computer Science Peter-Michael Osera, Ph.D., who all have provided mentorship and support along his journey. 

“We congratulate Erik and Shabab for this prestigious honor by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation,” says Ann Landstrom, assistant dean and director of global fellowships and awards at ɬ�﷬.  

“Their collaborative research at Brookhaven and individual research experiences are all impressive,” Landstrom says. “The College joins the foundation in recognizing Erik’s and Shabab’s academic contributions and leadership in research, curricular, and community settings.”

In addition, Landstrom acknowledges two other Goldwater Scholarship nominees: Rachel Rudacille ’26, physics major and environmental studies concentrator, intending to conduct renewable energy research as an environmental engineer; and Tianyang Yu ’26, computer science and philosophy double major, planning to conduct research in data science and human-computer interaction.

The U.S. Congress established the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation in 1986 as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate. The foundation, in collaboration with UWorld and the Department of Defense National Defense Education Program (NDEP), supports the 2025–26 academic year Goldwater Scholars. Since the inception of the program, 11,162 undergraduates have been named Goldwater Scholars.

The Goldwater Scholarship provides financial assistance with undergraduate tuition and connects students with a network of fellow students, early career scientists, and experienced scholars. The Goldwater Foundation maintains an active community forum for discussions about STEM careers and graduate school opportunities.