Whitman Juniors Vee Edwards & Nicola Myers Selected as Goldwater Scholars

Vee Edwards ’26 and Nicola Myers ’26, both Whitman College Chemistry majors, have been selected as 2025 Goldwater Scholars — the nation’s premier undergraduate scholarship in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. The pair conducted research in the lab of Associate Professor of Chemistry Mark Hendricks.

The Goldwater Scholarship, awarded to just 441 students out of 1,350 national nominees this year, supports outstanding students planning to pursue research careers in STEM. Whitman has produced 14 Goldwater Scholars since 1986—nearly half awarded in the past three years, a testament to the college’s growing strength in undergraduate research.

Nicola Myers: Unlocking the Secrets of Silver Nanocrystals

Nicola Myers

Nicola Myers, from Boise, Idaho, has found both a supportive academic home and a springboard for discovery at Whitman. She describes her time in the Hendricks Lab as the best part of her college experience, citing the independence she’s gained as a young scientist and the invaluable mentorship she’s received. 

In the Hendricks Lab, Myers is immersed in the fascinating world of silver nanocrystals—tiny structures that can display nearly any color of the rainbow, depending on their size and shape. 

Professor Hendricks explains that scientists still do not fully understand the formation of these crystals, a puzzle he and his students work toward solving in his research lab. A better understanding of their unique properties could lead to “new and exciting applications,” Hendricks says, “which could range from drug delivery or biosensing applications to catalysts that use light to produce high-value chemicals.”

Myers hopes that the Goldwater Scholarship will be a springboard to a career in research and higher education. “I hope to teach chemistry while leading a nanomaterials lab at a research-focused liberal arts college,” she says. “This scholarship provides crucial support as I work toward that dream. 

“I am incredibly thankful for the support and mentorship that I have received from my research advisor, Professor Mark Hendricks, and from all of the faculty in the Chemistry department, who have cultivated my passion for chemistry.”

Vee Edwards: Uncovering the Chemistry Behind Nanoparticles

Vee Edwards, from Portland, Oregon, was recognized for their research on the kinetics of zinc sulfide nanoparticle synthesis. In the Hendricks Lab, Edwards has been investigating how the rate of early-stage chemical reactions influences the size and phase of resulting nanoparticles.

Working in the lab gave Edwards critical hands-on experience—and the freedom to chart their own research direction. 

“Working in an experimental lab, I was given a lot of independence to design and run computational experiments,” they say. “That experience really helped me realize that I want to focus on theoretical and computational chemistry for my future research career.”

They also emphasize how Whitman’s supportive academic environment shaped their growth. “Whitman offers a lot of opportunities to collaborate closely with faculty and other students, which has been invaluable for me,” Edwards says. “I’ve gotten a lot of guidance from professors and members of the scientific community here, especially during the scholarship process.”

Throughout the Goldwater application journey, Edwards worked closely with Dr. Jessica Hernandez, Director for Fellowships and Grants. “She especially helped with the research essay,” Edwards says. “I was able to reach out to her for feedback—she read my drafts and gave me input on revisions. Her support was incredibly helpful.”

Looking ahead, Edwards plans to pursue a doctorate in chemistry. “Receiving this scholarship is a big step toward achieving that goal,” they say.

Cultivating a Campus Where Scientists Thrive

Moira Gresham

Moira Gresham, the Nathaniel Shipman Professor of Physics, is the Goldwater campus representative and a past recipient of both the Goldwater and Churchill scholarships. She notes that Nicola’s early and proactive engagement in research made her stand out as a candidate. 

“That she sought out and secured research opportunities at an early stage, has continued to do as much research as she can (very successfully, to the delight of her professors), and can write about it in a compelling way all speak to her drive and scientific promise,” Gresham says. 

Gresham also commends Edwards for their outstanding interdisciplinary interest, their willingness to take courses that strengthen their computational skills in Chemistry as well as their “stunning academic record.”

“No Chemistry student has pursued as much Physics and Mathematics coursework as Vee throughout the 14 years I have taught at Whitman,” Gresham says.

Mark Hendricks

“Getting to introduce gifted students like Vee and Nicola to scientific research is the highlight of my job at Whitman,” Hendricks adds. “Their enthusiasm for research inspires me. I am lucky that all of the students in my research lab are so talented that once they understand their projects, I can engage with them as collaborators and colleagues.”

According to Gresham, Whitman is building a track record that places it alongside institutions like Caltech and Princeton in terms of scholarship success rates. This momentum reflects a robust undergraduate research culture supported by faculty mentorship and institutional investment. 

“Professors with active research programs that involve undergraduates, internal funds for research, and policies that cultivate professors’ abilities to develop and maintain active research programs are special things we have here at Whitman,” Gresham says.

Gresham and Hendricks both credit Whitman’s emphasis on mentorship and writing support as well. “Investing in personnel in Grants and Fellowships who have the time and skills to do this coaching work and in professors who can find the time and energy to do this work are other ways that Whitman supports students in pursuing nationally competitive scholarships,” Gresham says. 

Myers and Edwards both worked closely with Dr. Hernandez, whose support was key to their success, Hendricks says. “She is gifted at mentoring the students in writing competitive applications.”

Learn more about fellowship and grant opportunities and student research at Whitman.