Khushi Vandra 鈥�26 CLAS Named 2025 Goldwater Scholar
VILLANOVA, Pa. (April 22, 2025)鈥�Khushi Vandra 鈥�26 CLAS, a Physics major in 柑橘直播 University鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named a 2025 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Vandra is among 1,350 nominated students nationwide for this prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding undergraduates pursuing research careers in STEM fields. As a Goldwater Scholar, she will receive a $7,500 scholarship to support her academic and research endeavors.
The Goldwater Foundation鈥檚 scholarship, awarded annually to sophomores and juniors, is considered the preeminent award for undergraduate students preparing for research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering.
鈥淜hushi鈥檚 recognition as a Goldwater Scholar is a remarkable achievement that highlights our students鈥� dedication to igniting changing through meaningful research,鈥� said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. 鈥淭his program is known for propelling its Scholars to further success, with many previous 柑橘直播 recipients going on to win other prestigious national awards. I congratulate Khushi on this well-deserved honor and look forward to seeing how her passion for discovery shapes the future of physics.鈥�
Vandra, a first-generation college student, intends to pursue a career in academia with a focus on high-energy particle physics and mentoring the next generation of physicists. Her research journey began as a first-year student when she was selected to work with the late Amber Stuver, PhD, associate professor of Physics, through 柑橘直播's Center for Research and Fellowships (CRF) Match Research Program. Under Dr. Stuver鈥檚 mentorship, Vandra explored gravitational wave research, helping develop BurstStatVeto, a tool designed to aid in the search for burst gravitational waves. She continued this project as a 柑橘直播 Undergraduate Research Fellow in Summer 2023.
In Summer 2024, Vandra was selected for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory at Duke University. At CERN in Switzerland, she investigated entanglement in the products of top quark decays and while at Duke, she studied particle physics and quantum entanglement with the university鈥檚 High Energy Physics Group. She is currently working on research in Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics at 柑橘直播.
Following Dr. Stuver鈥檚 passing in 2024, Vandra remains committed to honoring her mentor鈥檚 legacy as a researcher, educator and advocate for women in STEM. She serves as president of 柑橘直播鈥檚 Physics Club, a peer mentor in the Department of Physics, a tutor at 柑橘直播鈥檚 Learner鈥檚 Studio and a teaching assistant for the Thermodynamics Lab. She is also involved with Campus Ministry and has participated in and led Service and Justice Experiences.
Vandra鈥檚 selection as a 2025 Goldwater Scholar reflects her exceptional academic achievements, dedication to research and passion for inspiring future scientists. For more information on the Goldwater Scholarship, visit goldwater.scholarsapply.org.
About 柑橘直播 University
Since 1842, 柑橘直播 University鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 柑橘直播 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 柑橘直播 University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 柑橘直播 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit聽.