Two University of Texas at Dallas undergraduate students — one in computer science and one in neuroscience — have been recognized with awards from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Anja Sheppard, a junior in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, and Grace Moore, a sophomore in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, are among 410 chosen from a pool of 1,256 college sophomores and juniors from across the U.S. studying natural science, engineering and mathematics to receive the scholarships. Honoring the late Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, the scholarships provide up to $7,500 per year.
Sheppard and Moore are the University’s 23rd and 24th recipients of the prestigious scholarships. Last year’s recipients were Patrick Nnoromele and Jennifer Jenks, both neuroscience seniors.
Dr. Douglas Dow, associate dean of the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College and clinical professor of political science, described the Goldwater Scholarship as the nation’s leading scholarship designed to recognize and help promote young STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] researchers at the earliest stages of their careers.
“Both of our Goldwater recipients showed great creativity in continuing to expand their research and scientific skills and experiences under severe COVID-19 restrictions,” he said. “Anja has developed such an extensive foundation in robotics, linking academic study — both at UT Dallas and abroad — with high-profile internship opportunities. It is extraordinary to see a scholar so early in her career with such extensive research experience in academia, governmental agencies and global business environments.
“Both of our Goldwater recipients showed great creativity in continuing to expand their research and scientific skills and experiences under severe COVID-19 restrictions.”
Dr. Douglas Dow, associate dean of the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College
“Grace has been recognized as a Goldwater Scholar with only three full semesters of university-level research under her belt. Much of that time, she was unable to physically enter the lab. Grace showed high levels of responsibility, tenacity and creativity in achieving research experiences both in person and remotely.”
Exploring Chronic Pain
Grace Moore, a Collegium V Honors student from Keller, Texas, has made the best of a year when her research plans were upended by the pandemic.
“My investigation of the nervous systems of invertebrate sea slugs had to be canceled,” Moore said. “But it’s afforded me a unique opportunity to participate in different chronic pain projects that I would never have been involved with.”
Moore joined a project investigating the neuroimmune interactions contributing to chronic pain in COVID-19 and is now working on a project examining the molecular mechanisms of neuropathy.
“I’ve had more diverse experiences that have allowed me to gain a wider perspective on chronic pain and the role of the immune system in perpetuating it,” she said.
Dr. Ted Price BS’97, Eugene McDermott Professor of neuroscience and director of the Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), said Moore showed amazing adaptability to pivot to a project examining mechanisms of neuropathy in human tissue samples.
“I am very excited for the work that Grace will do over the next year, as it has great potential for understanding the mysteries of diabetic neuropathy in patients,” he said.
In addition to the mentorship of Price, Moore also cited Dr. Eva LaDow, associate professor of instruction in neuroscience with Collegium V, as a strong influence.
LaDow described Moore as creative and proactive in finding opportunities to grow as a scientist during this unusual period.
Goldwater Scholarships
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986. Over the Goldwater Scholarship’s history, hundreds of recipients have gone on to win prestigious awards, including National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, Rhodes Scholarships, Churchill Scholarships, Hertz Fellowships and Marshall Scholarships.
“Becoming a Goldwater Scholar when half of your undergraduate career has happened during a pandemic takes more than spending time in a lab,” LaDow said. “I’m thrilled that Grace has been recognized for her hard work and determination.”
Inspired in part by her volunteer work with Alzheimer’s patients, Moore hopes to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, specifically investigating chronic pain mechanisms or identifying neuroimmune interactions that cause neurodegenerative diseases.
“UT Dallas has offered a supportive environment, between the Honors College, CAPS and everyone involved,” she said. “I started doing research in my first semester here. They didn’t doubt that I’d be committed or be able to do what they were working on. They just said, ‘OK, we’d love to have you on board.’”
Moore will spend the summer performing chronic pain research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In the long term, she hopes to teach at a research university where she can run her own lab.
“I am a chemistry team leader of the peer tutors at the Student Success Center, which is helping me to build the skills I will use educating students,” she said.
Building Better Robotics
Anja Sheppard, a Eugene McDermott Scholar from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, found her passion for robotics through competitions at her high school, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She also got a head start on research there.
“I did a mini research project my senior year on robotic navigation in affiliation with a mentor at North Carolina State [University],” she said. “That helped me have a sure footing when I came to UT Dallas and helped me know that I wanted to continue to do research.”
As a freshman, Sheppard joined the Laboratory for Autonomous Robotics and Systems, working under the direction of Dr. Mark W. Spong, professor of systems engineering and of electrical and computer engineering, and holder of the Excellence in Education Chair. Spong also supervised her work while she conducted research with the Connected Autonomous Vehicles group at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in the United Kingdom.
“Anja’s ideas have been used to progress research on simulation software with the Bristol autonomous vehicle group, and for work used in NASA’s International Space Station,” Spong said.
While at Bristol, she began the research that she’d eventually submit for the Goldwater honor — but when the pandemic hit, she had to abruptly return home.
Sheppard said UT Dallas undergraduates are very fortunate to have varied research opportunities available to them.
“Advisors here are 100% willing to work with undergraduate students who have the courage to reach out,” she said. “Dr. Spong has been extremely open to letting me pursue my own path — giving me valuable advice while letting me do things my own way.”
Spong said that even among exceptionally talented students whom he has mentored during his 40-year career in higher education, Anja stands out.
“Anja’s knowledge and technical skills are exceptional for someone at her career stage,” he said. “I have no doubt that she will become a leader of her generation of research scientists and engineers.”
Sheppard intends to pursue a master’s degree or PhD in robotics, while also exploring her interest in technology ethics.
“Ultimately, my goal is to do autonomous robotics research for NASA or another government entity. I have already interned for NASA, and I’m very hopeful of keeping that going,” she said.