Left to Right: Gabriel Mangum Lehmann GS’24, Aiden Sagerman CC’24, Pranay Talla CC’24
Three Columbians Named Goldwater Scholars
Columbia University is proud to announce that three Columbia undergraduates have been named Goldwater Scholars this year. The Goldwater Scholarship represents the preeminent undergraduate award in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.
From an estimated pool of over 5,000 university sophomores and juniors, 1267 natural science, engineering and mathematics students were nominated by 427 academic institutions to compete for the 2023 Goldwater scholarships. Of students who reported, 197 of the Scholars are men, 203 are women, and virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. as their highest degree objective.
Congratulations to this year’s Scholars!
Gabriel Mangum Lehmann GS’24
Born in New York, NY, Gabriel is in the Dual B.A. Program between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University, majoring in earth science. At the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia, Gabriel has pursued research in paleoceanography, exploring crucial dynamics of the climate system. He has also participated in the Science Research Mentoring Program at the American Museum of Natural History.
At Trinity College Dublin, Gabriel performed as a cellist in the Trinity Orchestra. He plans to pursue a PhD in paleoceanography, ultimately aiming to become a professor.
Aiden Sagerman CC’24
Originally from San Francisco, Aiden is double majoring in mathematics and comparative literature & society as a Science Research Fellow. Aiden has conducted research in set theory and algebraic and geometric topology. His humanities studies have allowed him to take an interdisciplinary approach to mathematics, exploring large-scale ethical questions.
Aiden is an Editor-in-Chief for the Gadfly and has received the King’s Crown Leadership and Excellence Award for Columbia Spirit. He plans to obtain a PhD in mathematics and to teach at the university level.
Pranay Talla CC’24
Pranay, who is from Chappaqua, NY, is pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and Computer Science-Mathematics at Columbia as a Rabi Scholar. At the Sims Lab, Pranay’s work has focused heavily on multi-omic approaches for cancer research. This summer, he will continue his research at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Munich, Germany.
Pranay has also served as a Residential Advisor and a Peer Tutor at the Center for Student Advising, and is active in student clubs such as the Columbia Science Review and the Columbia Brain Exercise Initiative. He plans to pursue an MD-PhD degree and aspires to work as a physician-scientist at an academic medical center.
The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. With the 2023 awards, this brings the number of scholarships awarded since 1989 by the Goldwater Foundation to 10,283.
Rising sophomores and juniors at Columbia interested in learning more about applying for the Goldwater Scholarship program are encouraged to connect with Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.