MSE and chemistry student at NC State receives Goldwater Scholarship

A North Carolina State University engineering and chemistry student has received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The recipient, Krystian Kozek, a native of Kolbuszowa, Poland, who currently lives in Apex, NC, is a junior double majoring in materials science and engineering and chemistry. Since the spring of 2009 he has been a researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph Tracy, assistant professor of materials science and engineering. Kozek is already an author on one research publication, was recently accepted in the journal Physical Review E, and has several manuscripts incorporating his work planned for submission in the near future.  On one of these he is a first author, a significant achievement for an undergraduate student.

Kozek is a previous recipient of NC State’s Undergraduate Research Award and has also participated in Duke University’s summer research experience for undergraduates (REU) program. He will represent NC State at the next Atlantic Coast Conference “Meeting of the Minds” undergraduate research symposium featuring students from the 12 ACC institutions.

Kozek is one of 275 Goldwater Scholarship recipients this year and is the 36th NC State recipient since the program was established in 1986. Scholars were selected from a field of 1,095 mathematics, science, and engineering students nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The one- and two-year scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.
The scholarship program, which honors former Senator Barry M. Goldwater, was designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.