Reflecting 51°µÍř’s commitment to a horizon-expanding education, three students have been awarded the highly competitive Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for 2025.
Madison Fitzgerald, Alayna Funke and Trista Newman have been recognized for their exceptional academic achievements and commitment to research in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“I was so excited to receive the Goldwater Scholarship because it feels amazing to be recognized for my research abilities,” said Fitzgerald, an environmental science major whose current research is focused on locating illegal sand mines in South Africa. “I’ve developed everything that I know about research here at Duquesne, and it’s really a testament to the strength of our programs.”
The Goldwater Scholarship is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious undergraduate science awards in the United States. This year’s selection of three Duquesne students underscores the university’s growing reputation as a hub for academic excellence and student research. 14 Duquesne students have received the award in the past 13 years.
“By providing access to research experiences early on in my education, Duquesne allowed me to bulk up my synthetic toolbox a lot when it came time for me to apply for outside research experiences, awards and scholarships,” said Funke, a chemistry and biochemistry major focused on improving biomedical imaging dyes for medical diagnostic purposes.
“Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is a testament to my perseverance and passion for scientific research,” said Newman, a chemistry and biochemistry major whose work involves developing novel antibiotics to combat bacterial pathogens. “The faculty at Duquesne have been so helpful and encouraging that I can now manage my own projects, which has made me more confident as a researcher.”
“These scholarships are a testament not only to the incredible dedication and talent of Madison, Alayna and Trista, but also to the robust support of faculty mentors and research opportunities at Duquesne,” said Dean of the School of Science and Engineering. Dr. Ellen Gawalt. “We are immensely proud of these students and their commitment to scientific inquiry and discovery.”
The Goldwater Foundation awards scholarships to provide financial support and national recognition to students who intend to pursue research careers in the sciences.
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April 30, 2025
Get to Know Our Goldwater Scholars
Trista Newman
A biochemistry major, Trista was drawn to Duquesne because she understood she could become involved in research even as a freshman. As an upperclassman, she now works in Dr. David Heisler’s lab, where they endeavor to remedy a startling fact: every minute, approximately 20 lives are lost globally to antibiotic-resistant pathogens—a staggering figure projected to double within the next 25 years.
Alayna Funke
Alayna Funke is passionate about using chemical research to help people. Though she originally planned to become a physician, she quickly learned there were many ways to contribute to the health care field, including behind-the-scenes work investigating and creating the tools needed to advance medicine. She pivoted her focus to research and hasn’t looked back.
Madison Fitzgerald
Madison Fitzgerald wants to be the earth’s doctor. 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.
51°µÍř
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities
for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly
8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them
work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic
programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh
region have earned national acclaim.
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