Two MSU students named Goldwater recipients

Out of 1,280 applicants nationwide, Cara Robertus of Bozeman, majoring in chemical and biological engineering, and Ryan Mason of Missoula, majoring in chemical engineering, were awarded the Goldwater Scholarship. This is the nation’s top scholarship for undergraduate students majoring in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. The scholarship entails up to $7,500 a year for tuition and other expenses for the remainder of their undergraduate degree.

Robertus, who is also minoring in music and biomedical engineering, plans to earn a doctorate in biomedical engineering and conduct research to develop affordable and innovative prosthetics, implants and other medical technologies. In her freshman year, Robertus began working in the lab of Stephanie McCalla, Ph.D., focusing on disease diagnostics within RNA/DNA/protein separation, detection and quantification. She was also recently published as a co-author in Analyst by the Royal Society of Chemistry for her article: “First characterization of a biphasic, switch-like DNA amplification.” Along with support from McCalla, the Montana INBRE grant funded some of her research. “I’ve been really lucky to have the opportunity to get into research so early and to have a mentor like McCalla,” Robertus said. “She’s been so supportive of all of my endeavors.”

Robertus also emphasized the impact research has had on her education and her experience at MSU. “Being in research, you really have to have a long-term vision and you need to appreciate failure just as much as success, because that’s such an important, and I think overlooked, part of science,” she said.

Currently, Robertus is finishing up her dual majors. Next year will be her final year at MSU, and she plans to focus on her music minor as a pianist and as a member of the MSU Chorale and the Montanans, as well as the Aoide chamber Singers.

In her plans for the future, she hopes to be able to give back to her community, whether that’s making a new prosthetic that can be easily purchased by people in third world countries, or teaching and inspiring students and giving them the same courage to take risks and embrace failure that her mentors and MSU gave her.

Mason plans to obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering to acquire the skills necessary to engage in research that will accelerate clean energy adoption. He is currently majoring in chemical engineering with a minor in math. Mason joined Paul Gannon, Ph.D., in his high-temperature materials laboratory his freshman year, where he’s worked on two projects: a corrosion study of the iron in solar panels and the study of storing hydrogen for a hydrogen-fueled society instead of oil and gas. These projects, he said, indirectly contribute to improving renewable energy. “I’ve always had an interest in renewable energy and energy production,” he said.

Mason said being in a lab has been rewarding because “you see firsthand what you’re learning in a classroom.” He also learned about the rigorous peer-review process, and recently was published as a co-author in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, titled: “High-Temperature Chlorosilane Interactions.”

In the future, Mason’s goal is to bridge the gap between academia, where the breakthroughs are discovered for renewable energy adoption, and industry, where renewable energy is utilized and made affordable.

Mason also enjoys participating in the triathlon club, backpacking, fishing and being outside. He is a member of the Sigma Epsilon Phi fraternity as well.

Robertus and Mason are the 69th and 70th recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship at MSU, making the school one of the highest-receiving schools in the nation.