By Staff
April 24, 2024: Holly Wemple, who grew up in the Bronxville area and graduated from the Fieldston School ('21), is one of three University of Richmond students to receive a Goldwater Scholarship. This Scholarship is open to college sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing careers and fostering excellence in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering.
Holly, who is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Richmond, first got interested in a career in the sciences when she was in high school. At that time, she spent a summer as an intern at Albert Einstein Hospital, working in a neuroscience lab on Alzheimer's research.
Holly explains that in this lab they looked at "neuron signaling in C. elegans (microscopic worms), tracking Ins-6, an insulin compound, which regulates aging." She says that "similarities between C. elegans genome and humans allows for better understanding of functional neuron signaling in order to identify abnormalities. Failure of proper signaling can lead to mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia."
This experience got her interested in doing her own research. Currently, she is researching how climate change impacts human health. Holly uses "biosensors in her research on campus which are diagnostic tools for molecules that are linked to certain diseases and environmental factors." Specifically, she worked on a project developing a xanthine biosensor because, as she explains, "xanthine is associated with metabolic diseases and even has industrial applications as high levels of xanthine in fish and meat is indicative of its spoilage before there are other visible signs."
"Trends are showing increased rates of cancers, asthma, and heart disease due to exposure to pollutants and environmental toxins that will continue to worsen as climate change progresses," said Wemple. "I am interested in the pathways involved to find solutions as they arise. I believe this is an essential emerging field, and I hope to lead this growth to address mitigation strategies."
Holly explained that being considered for the Goldwater Scholarship is a two-step process. First, you submit an application to your school - - in this case, the University of Richmond. The application includes personal essays, information about your research, references, and a transcript. Holly submitted this application and was one of four chosen by her school.
Next, you submit a "national" application, which requires explaining your research to a professional in the field and discussing the next steps in addition to the application, transcript, and references. Holly did so and was chosen to receive the Scholarship.
Holly is a "full ride" merit scholar at the University of Richmond, so the Goldwater Scholarship will help her finance some of her college expenses, such as books, and, most importantly, connect her with information and resources that will help her with her applications to graduate school. Holly will be pursuing a PhD in Bio/Chemistry and an MD.
