Shelby Sliger, a junior in the Department of Biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and a student in the Honors College, was recently awarded the Goldwater Scholarship for her commitment to a career in STEM research and extensive undergraduate research engagement.
Goldwater Scholarships are awarded to outstanding college students who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering disciplines. Founded in 1989, 35 years of Goldwater Scholars have been contributing groundbreaking research to their respective fields.
“The Goldwater Scholarship has been such an incredible honor to be nominated for and to receive. I'm grateful to be recognized for my work and for the valuable support it provides for my future in grad school and research,” Sliger commented.
Balancing research and commitment to local communities
Research has played an integral part in Sliger’s time as a student at Purdue. An undergraduate research assistant in the Ogas lab, Sliger has conducted in-depth research on epigenetics and chromatin remodelers in plants. Joe Ogas, head of the Department of Biochemistry, said Sliger’s commitment to research has elevated his lab.
Pictured: Shelby Sliger, recipient of the 2024 Barry Goldwater Scholarship
“Shelby approached me before she even graduated from high school regarding her interest in working in my lab. From the beginning, she has been an incredible asset, based on her enthusiasm, her prodigious skill set and her willingness to help any other person in the lab successfully undertake their analysis. Shelby has continually played a key role in the success of my lab, and I feel very fortunate to have her as a member of my group.”
Being a student in the John Martinson Honors College and Stamps Scholar in addition to the College of Agriculture, Sliger has also found unique ways to integrate her studies in an interdisciplinary manner.
“My research itself is interdisciplinary. In addition to my chromatin research, I'm studying embryonic root phenotypes for plants — analogous to a plant tumor,” Sliger mused. “It's been interesting to see how those proteins may play similar or different roles in animals and humans as well.”
Equally significant to her research is Sliger's dedication to assisting local communities, using her involvement with student organizations, such as her role as president of the Biochemistry Club, to bolster science education resources.
“In the Biochemistry Club, I’ve helped with orchestrating a lot of community outreach. We play a role in giving access to science materials to the Hanna Community Center and local elementary schools, prioritizing students from under-resourced communities,” Sliger said.
National and International Scholarships Office
The National and International Scholarships Office (NISO) is based in the John Martinson Honors College and coordinates the process of applying for scholarships and grants that require a university nomination. Purdue students applying for prestigious awards such as the Goldwater Scholarship receive support and guidance through this office.
“The application process gave me the chance to accumulate independent research projects, improve my lab skills and receive constructive feedback from my PI and NISO advisors,” Sliger said. “Writing my application also helped me hone in on what I want to do in the future, and having that ownership to carve my own way as a research scientist has been essential.”
Scholarships can alter a student's academic trajectory, and NISO's resources empower students to excel and grow into their fullest potential.
To learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship, visit the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Owen Hughes
Student Communication Assistant for Teaching and Learning, hughe357@purdue.edu