Texas Tech University Athletics
Schunk Wins Goldwater Scholarship For STEM Research
April 08, 2016 | Track and Field
Hattie Schunk was selected from thousands of applicants to become a Goldwater Scholar.
April 8, 2016
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech track & field's Hattie Schunk was selected for a Goldwater Scholarship, an award designed to encourage research careers in science, engineering and math.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was created to support students who are working toward careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The trustees award the scholarships up to 260 students from the United States, and it pays for tuition, fees, books and room and board for winners.
Schunk, a junior from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was selected from thousands of applicants to become a Goldwater Scholar in 2016, a year after being one of about 260 students to receive an Honorable Mention nod for the same award. She is a chemical engineering major with plans to earn a doctorate in bioengineering and do research focused on improving medical procedures, diagnostic capabilities, target therapies and medical devices that will help improve quality of life. She is also a member of the Honors College, previously played soccer for Texas Tech and now competes on the track & field and cross country programs.
It's a lot to take on all at once, but Schunk said her experiences as an athlete hone her academic work. With a good portion of her week already dedicated to practice, competition, weight-training and physical therapy, she has had to develop self-discipline to ensure her studying gets done and she has time for her research, about which she is equally passionate."My undergraduate research experiences along with my desire to tackle the complex engineering challenges faced by society are what reinforced my decision to pursue a career where I can make a long-term impact, and the Goldwater Scholarship has been the perfect stepping stone," Schunk said.
In the fall, Schunk was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Cross Country Team with a 4.00 GPA, becoming the first Red Raider since 2008 to do so.
Michael San Francisco, dean of the Honors College, said Schunk has distinguished herself through her research in nanomaterials from anti-cancer drug delivery to optical and electronic applications. In the summer of 2015 she interned at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque and now is telecommuting with the laboratory during the school year. She will return to Sandia this summer to work in the Advanced Materials Lab. She also worked in chemistry professor Dominick Casadonte's lab before going to Sandia.
"It is a tremendous honor for her to be selected as a Goldwater Scholar," San Francisco said. "While at Sandia, Hattie made significant contributions that earned her co-authorship on a research article published by the Materials Research Society. She is a versatile and talented young lady with a bright future."
Schunk has recorded four personal-bests this season on the track, competing in the mile, 3000 and 5000-meter races. She posted top 20 finishes at the Big 12 Indoor Championships in the 3000m (9:49.28) and 5000m (16:57.41).
"Congratulations to Hattie on this wonderful achievement," Texas Tech interim president John Opperman said. "Having students who earn prestigious national awards like the Goldwater Scholarship speaks to the high quality of education we're providing at Texas Tech, while the recognition of all our applicants is an even greater accomplishment. Opportunities like this give us a chance to display what our university and its students are truly capable of."
Schunk and the Red Raiders head to Abilene this weekend for the Wes Kittley Invitational on Saturday, April 9, at Elmer Gray Stadium.
Players Mentioned
