Two of Longwood’s most accomplished student researchers, each with career ambitions to use their research to help others and work toward the common good, have been nominated for the prestigious 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholarship.
The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate scholarship for students in science, math, and engineering fields who are planning to pursue research careers. Students must have completed a substantial research project and have a grade-point average that is competitive for top graduate schools.
It is among the most competitive scholarship in the nation. Last year, the Goldwater Foundation awarded just more than 400 scholarships out of an applicant pool that topped 5,000 students. Goldwater Scholars will be announced later this spring.
Quinn Kukk ‘27
Kukk is a junior chemistry and physics double major who hopes to pursue a career in material sciences engineering working on research that could impact climate change and sustainable modern energy needs.
While at Longwood, Kukk has pursued several research opportunities, including a mentored PRISM project, work with the Jefferson Lab, work with the Langley Research Center, and a Research Experiences for Undergraduates working in materials chemistry at the University of Bath in England.
[Quinn] has raw talent and is one of the most engaging and competent undergraduate students I have had in my lab for some time.
Dr. Andrew Johnson, professor of inorganic and materials chemistry at the University of Bath Tweet This
“Quinn is an exceptional young talent and a definite future research leader,” said Dr. Andrew Johnson, professor of inorganic and materials chemistry at the University of Bath, in a recommendation letter to the Goldwater Foundation. “He has raw talent and is one of the most engaging and competent undergraduate students I have had in my lab for some time. I have supervised over 36 PhD students during my 25 years as an academic and have rarely come across a student with so much talent at this stage of his career.”
Kukk is a member of the Cormier Honors College.
Lina Mohamedhaj ‘27
Mohamedhaj is a junior chemistry major who is pursuing a joint Ph.D. and M.D. program with a career at the intersection of chemistry, neurology, and clinical medicine, hoping to research and design biosensor devices for more effective patient diagnoses.
While at Longwood, Mohamedhaj has participated in a PRISM program as well as two independent research studies. She presented a poster titled Molecular Design for Single Molecule Electronics: Aromaticity and Linker Position at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in 2025. She also serves on the Chemistry Department Student Advisory Board.
[Lina] is also deeply committed to becoming a medical doctor in the future as well as involved in medical research.
Dr. Tyler St. Clair, associate professor of chemistry at Longwood Tweet This
“Lina is professional, intelligent, ethical, hard-working, and well-rounded,” said Dr. Tyler St. Clair, associate professor of chemistry at Longwood, in a recommendation letter to the Goldwater Foundation. “She is also deeply committed to becoming a medical doctor in the future as well as involved in medical research. Her recent internship working as medical assistant and scribe at a hospital in Beaumont, Texas was a transformative experience for her where she apprenticed with a mentor who was both an active medical doctor as well as a medical researcher, demonstrating how these can be integrated paths.”
Mohamedhaj is a member of the Cormier Honors College.