Hayley Shasteen, ’21, was awarded the prestigious 2019 Goldwater Scholarship from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The foundation awards the scholarships annually to students from across the country studying mathematics, natural science or engineering.
Shasteen began her college career at Kent State’s Salem Campus then transferred to the Kent Campus to complete her studies, earning a dual degree in molecular and cellular biology and psychology. She intends to eventually earn a doctoral degree in cognitive neuropsychology and will continue conducting research related to cognitive impairment in patients with autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on systemic lupus erythematosus.
As a student on the Salem Campus, she gained a strong interest in conducting research, and took first place honors at the 鶹ý Summer Undergraduate Research Experience competition. Shasteen’s research project, “Cognitive Impairments of those with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” spanned 10 weeks over the 2018 summer.
Originally from Berlin Center, Shasteen graduated from Western Reserve High School in 2016 and served as a Rising Scholars mentor.
More than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors from 443 academic institutions were nominated for the 2019 Goldwater awards and recipients receive scholarships for as much as $7,500 per year.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate.
The scholarship program is designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these fields.