Published: May 10, 2012

彩民宝典 twin sophomores Srinidhi Radhakrishnan and Saikripa Radhakrishnan -- both chemical and biological engineering majors -- have been awarded prestigious Goldwater Scholarships.

The scholarships are worth up to $7,500 for educational expenses each year and are given to students who intend to pursue careers in the fields of math, science or engineering.

The Radhakrishnan sisters are among 282 members of the 2012 class of Goldwater Scholars, who were chosen from a field of 1,123 students nominated by college faculties nationwide, according to Deborah Viles, CU-Boulder鈥檚 top scholarship director.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a real pleasure working with students like Sri and Sai, as they represent all the best our university has to offer,鈥 Viles said. 鈥淐U provides rich and varied opportunities for students to be involved in their fields and to develop personally, professionally and academically. Winning a prestigious award is one measure of their success and ours.鈥

Sri and Sai both use CU-Boulder鈥檚 research facilities to work on their own independent research, as well as a joint effort on imaging the internal fiber cells and other structures of the ocular lens.

鈥淥ur involvement with these projects is entirely due to CU鈥檚 encouragement for undergraduates to get involved with research,鈥 Sri said. 鈥淲e are very fortunate to be in a university that focuses on giving students opportunities to apply what we learn in class.鈥

Sri and Sai both work with Engineers Without Borders and Colorado Engineer Magazine, and they are part of the Engineering Honors Program and the Presidents Leadership Class.

鈥淭he Engineering Honors Program focuses on developing a community of motivated students who collaborate with one another,鈥 Sri said. 鈥淭he Presidents Leadership Class provides experiential learning to develop effective leadership skills. Sai and I have made long-lasting friends in both of these programs that have enhanced the quality of our learning at CU.鈥

An illness has forced Sai to take some time off from school, but Sri explained that she and sister both know where they are headed.

鈥淏oth Sai and I are interested in research medicine,鈥 Sri said. 鈥淭herefore, both of us aspire to attend medical school and integrate research into our studies.鈥

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program is a federally endowed agency established by Congress in 1986 to honor the late Sen. Barry Goldwater who served the United States for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate.

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Contact:
Deborah Viles, 303-735-6801
Greg Swenson, CU media relations, 303-492-3113
Maria DiManna,听maria.dimanna@colorado.edu
Srinidhi Radhakrishnan,听srinidhi.radhakrishnan@colorado.edu

鈥淥ur involvement with these projects is entirely due to CU鈥檚 encouragement for undergraduates to get involved with research,鈥 said Srinidhi Radhakrishnan. 鈥淲e are very fortunate to be in a university that focuses on giving students opportunities to apply what we learn in class.鈥