April 08, 2020

Mollie Harrison

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The STEM careers are looking bright for two University of Missouri students.

Mollie Harrison, a senior in chemical engineering, and Jonathan Fajen, a chemistry major, have been selected as 2020 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

This prestigious, competitive national scholarship award supports U.S. college students who intend to pursue a career in research in the fields of natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Fajen and Harrison are among 396 college students selected as Goldwater Scholars this year from a group of 1,343 nominees.

“Congratulations to two young Missourians on being selected as Goldwater Scholars,” said Jim Spain, MU Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies. “Goldwater Scholars have conducted research that helps in our nation’s defense, cures for diseases, and in the teaching of future generations of STEM researchers. I am excited to see where their Mizzou education leads them and the future contributions that they will make through their work and service.”

Growing up, Harrison’s career goals ranged from artist to “giant squid researcher.” Upon arriving at Mizzou, she wanted to be a surgeon but shifted her focus to medical research after joining a biomaterials laboratory in the College of Engineering. Now, the junior from St. Louis is on the path to earn her doctorate in chemical engineering. She aspires to conduct advanced drug delivery systems research at the National Institutes of Health, a hospital or in industry. Her goal is to improve and create disease treatments.