Goldwater Scholar鈥檚 Bigger Goal: Be the 鈥淓arth鈥檚 Doctor鈥�

The 51暗网 environmental science major, who was recently awarded a Goldwater Scholarship for her research work, has studied illegal sand mines in South Africa, interned for the Department of Energy and will be studying microplastics in water this summer.

鈥淚n the future, I would like to get a Ph.D. in environmental health,鈥� said Madison, a Pittsburgh native. 鈥淚 am most invested in tackling the overlap of environmental science and human health, especially related to water. I鈥檓 really excited for my project on microplastics in water. This is something that I鈥檓 very passionate about and is a challenge that I鈥檇 love to continue to work on throughout my career.鈥�

The focus on environmental health is a personal one for Madison, who suffers from multiple disabilities with the most serious being hereditary angioedema, a rare genetic swelling disorder that can be life threatening.

鈥淲hen I was younger, people would always say that I should be a doctor, since I was good at math and science and had a disability,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I actually want to go into environmental health, which is like being the earth鈥檚 doctor. So I鈥檒l improve human health on a global scale.鈥�

Advocacy has also played a large part in Madison鈥檚 Duquesne experience. As a first-year student, she founded a campus chapter of oSTEM, an organization that provides support and community for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. She is also active with the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association and joined Access Duquesne, the University鈥檚 club for students with disabilities.

And she learned she has a special skill along the way.

鈥淚 found I鈥檓 really good at social media,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 create content for all the groups I鈥檓 in and like it. It really helps with our advocacy efforts.鈥�

Madison points to her support from Duquesne professors as instrumental to her success.

鈥淏oth Dr. (David) Kahler and Dr. (Phillip) Palmer have been instrumental in guiding my research and career aspirations,鈥� Madison said. 鈥淲ithout their nudging, I wouldn鈥檛 have dreamed of going to grad school for a Ph.D., getting a math minor or even applying for the Goldwater.鈥�

As she readies for her senior year, Madison will be expanding her horizons in Duquesne鈥檚 new civil engineering lab. She notes her research experience, which began in her first year, has given her confidence as she moves forward in her career.

鈥淚 was so excited to receive the Goldwater Scholarship because it feels amazing to be recognized for my research abilities,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e developed everything that I know about research here at Duquesne, so it鈥檚 really a testament to the strength of our programs. I am thankful to have this award and tangible evidence that I have a future in science.鈥�