Student earns prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

by Kristin K. Anderson

April 3, 2008 -

Catherine Nezich, MSU's 2008 Goldwater Scholar

Catherine Nezich of Marquette, MSU’s 2008 Goldwater Scholar, doesn’t believe that what she learns at MSU stays at MSU.

“As a woman in science, I know I could not have had the same kinds of educational experiences 50 years ago,” Nezich said. “Receiving this scholarship means if I keep working hard and taking advantage of opportunities that come my way, I can still be that small-town girl holding her own in the world of science and research.

“My 21st century education translates to other aspects of my life, so it affects more than just me. It also affects the people with whom I interact.”

Nezich, daughter of Dennis and Laura Nezich, is one of 321 sophomores and juniors from throughout the country to be named Goldwater Scholars for 2008-09. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in mathematics, science and engineering fields.

“Catherine is a great example of the impact early involvement in research can have on an MSU undergraduate. Her plans to work in the public sector developing drugs to treat chronic illnesses also indicate the influence she will have as a scholar of the future,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the MSU Honors College.

Nezich, a member of the Honors College, is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, and biotechnology in the Lyman Briggs College.

Although her academic research career is just beginning, she has worked with scientists from throughout the country on projects with far-ranging applications. She currently is working with Robert Malezcka, MSU professor of chemistry, researching basic “green,” chemical reactions used in drug discovery and development.

“The dawn of the 21st century has heightened the already considerable demand for safer, more effective and less expensive drugs that will relieve our illnesses or improve our daily comfort,” she said. “The American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute’s Pharmaceutical Roundtable promotes implementing ‘green’ chemistry in the global pharmaceutical industry, and Roundtable scientists have identified two lists of chemical reactions that need environmental improvement.”

She said her work is part of larger research efforts into these “green” methods for the creation of molecular entities as building blocks for drug discovery and preparations of new drugs from existing drugs.

"My overall MSU education is helping develop my originality, leadership and pertinent questioning and problem solving skills,” Nezich said. “Interning at the National Institutes of Health on diabetes management issues allowed me to experience the excitement and joy that comes from scientific discovery.”

Nezich is a 2006 graduate of Marquette High School and expects to graduate from MSU in 2010.

At MSU, she is a member of Tower Guard, a sophomore service organization and is active in Honors College activities. She is a member of St. John Student Parish and co-led the church’s Alternative Spring Break program in Mexico. She also volunteers as a tutor and is a member of the dean’s list.

Besides Nezich’s honor, Jackson-Elmoore noted that Andrew Keller of Lindenhurst, Ill.,Kaveri Korgavkar of Troy, and Donald VanderLaan of Grand Rapids, received honorable mentions from the Goldwater Foundation in the 2008 competition.

Goldwater awards at MSU

Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,035 mathematics, science and engineering students nominated by faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The one- and two- year scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on Nov. 14, 1986, in honor of Sen. Barry M. Goldwater.