Two Illinois State University students win 2024 Goldwater Scholarships

Illinois State University's Office of Student Research has announced that two students, Amelia Korveziroska and Robert Sevik, have been named 2024 Goldwater Scholars.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation provides opportunities for outstanding U.S. students with excellent academic records and demonstrated potential for research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. It was established by Congress in 1986 to serve 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.

Nationally, 438 students were chosen from the 1,353 nominees to receive the $7,500 award.

Amelia Korveziroska

Amelia Korveziroska currently is enrolled as a junior in the mechanical science and engineering program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), as part of Illinois State's Physics/Engineering Dual Bachelor's Degree Program.

Originally from Prilep, North Macedonia, Korveziroska transferred from Illinois State, where she began her research experience in nanoparticle fabrication. She participated in two NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates: one in solar physics at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center of Astrophysics and a second at the Illinois Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. She is currently studying at Nagoya University in Japan, which has a partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Her career goals include pursuing a doctorate in mechanical engineering with a research focus in applied physics relating to space equipment.

"Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship demonstrates to me that, even if I encounter initial setbacks, I have the capability to pursue and achieve my goals with the help of my community and my own grit," Korveziroska said.

Robert Sevik

Robert Sevik is from Oak Lawn, Ill., and is a junior majoring in physics at Illinois State. He currently is conducting research with Dr. Uttam Manna and recently participated in the University Research Symposium, presenting research on optical anapoles in spherical titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Sevik is a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Delta Eta Chapter, where he was elected chapter secretary for the upcoming year. He also served as risk management chair and brother at large. He also was treasurer of the Physics Club. Sevik serves as a teaching assistant and tutor for PHY 102 and PHY 105.

"I applied for the Goldwater Scholarship because I saw it as an external golden stamp of approval on my capability as a researcher," Sevik said. "The Scholarship emphasizes a researcher's two most important qualities - writing scientific texts and communicating clearly and effectively. I believe receiving the Goldwater scholarship indicated that I am on track to develop those skills well."

This summer, Sevik will complete an internship at Argonne National Lab. After graduating from Illinois State, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, with a career goal of working in academia or in a national lab conducting research.

With the 2024 awards, this brings the number of scholarships awarded since 1989 by the Goldwater Foundation to 10,720. Goldwater alumni can be found conducting research that is helping defend the nation, finding cures for catastrophic diseases and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.