草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa.鈥� Christopher Bragan莽a, a junior Biochemistry major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Hollywood, Maryland) at 草榴社区, has been named as a 2020 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. Bragan莽a was selected as a Goldwater Scholar from a group of more than 1,300 institution-nominated students nationwide.

The son of an Air Force veteran, Bragan莽a aspires to develop novel treatments for PTSD and neurodegenerative disorders as a physician-scientist, focusing especially on disorders that impact veterans and military personnel. He joined the research group of Dr. Daniel Kraut, associate professor of Biochemistry, as a Match Research Program grantee in his first year at 草榴社区. Bragan莽a was selected as a 草榴社区 Beckman Scholar to receive 18 months of research support from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. His research as part of Dr. Kraut鈥檚 lab focuses on proteasomes, which are critical for maintaining cell health and function.

鈥湶萘裆缜� students鈥� continued success in the Goldwater Scholars program is remarkable,鈥� said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. 鈥淭his renowned program has served as a springboard for our student-researchers with recent 草榴社区 honorees going on to become Knight-Hennessy and Marshall scholars, NSF Graduate Research Fellows and Fulbright Students. I congratulate Christopher on this prestigious honor and look forward to seeing all the future holds for him.鈥�

An Eagle Scout committed to public service through science, Bragan莽a has presented his research on proteasomes and recently delivered a TEDx talk on the neuroscience of the negativity bias. He is the Vice President of the 草榴社区 chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, through which he mentors incoming Biochemistry majors. Bragan莽a also tutors elementary-aged students in West Philadelphia with Mighty Writers. He intends to pursue a MD-PhD in neuroscience and specialize in neuropathology. His career goal is to investigate the role of proteasome processivity in neurodegenerative disease while developing novel treatments for patients.

The Goldwater Foundation awards聽$7,500 scholarships to聽sophomores and juniors聽who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering. It is widely considered the preeminent award for undergraduates preparing for research careers in STEM.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, who served for 30 years in the United States Senate. The program is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. For more information, visit the .

About 草榴社区:聽Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 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 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 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.