Two Tulane Students Win '26 Goldwater Scholarships

Newcomb-Tulane College is proud to have two students receive the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. Auto Breaux, a junior double-majoring in physics and mathematics, and Trishita Paul, a sophomore biomedical engineering major with a public health minor, were recently awarded the scholarship for their impressive academic accomplishments and research activities. 

The scholarship is a highly competitive national award that recognizes outstanding undergraduate researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Earning recognition at this level attests to the work these students have already completed and encourages their future growth as researchers. 

“Being a first-generation student taught me resilience and work ethic, and I have relentlessly pursued research since beginning my undergraduate career. But these attributes fall short in research if there is no support system backing you,” says Breaux. “Being a Tulanian means there are endless research opportunities to explore, and the brilliant faculty behind these efforts will work to support undergraduate students who want to participate in them. Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is one of many forms of establishment you can get as an undergraduate researcher, and I now have the confidence to shoot for the stars, as my abilities and efforts have been affirmed.” 

“I was inspired to apply for this award as a way to challenge myself and further develop my skills as a future physician-scientist. It is incredibly humbling and rewarding to receive. This award recognizes the time and effort I have dedicated to research and motivates me to continue pursuing meaningful research projects,” says Paul.

In addition to financial support, the Goldwater Scholarship connects students with a network of Goldwater Scholars with whom they can build meaningful connections, gain mentorship and explore collaborative research opportunities.

With this award, Trishita plans to continue expanding her research experience and deepen her involvement in projects focused on cardiovascular engineering and cardiovascular epidemiology. 

“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and I hope to work towards bridging the gap between research and clinical care by developing innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve cardiovascular health outcomes and advance health equity,” says Paul.

For Auto, this award will support his ongoing research goals focused on fundamental but enigmatic particles. 

“Neutrinos are understudied particles because they are exceedingly difficult to detect. Physicists only recently developed detection methods, so I aim to investigate their oscillations. Understanding the neutrino’s oscillation may hold the key to understanding why matter, and therefore humanity, exists at all,” notes Breaux.

The application process for competitive awards can be arduous, but the payoff has many benefits. Auto and Trishita credit many supporters and mentors for helping them along the way. 

“I would encourage students to pursue research experiences early and seek out mentors who are truly invested in their growth. Find projects that you are passionate about and excited to work on. In other words, be intentional about understanding the ‘why’ behind your work and how it connects to your long-term goals,” suggests Paul.

“I would also advise future Goldwater applicants to locate as much support as possible. It is, in my opinion, impossible to receive this award without constant support and revision,” says Breaux. “The common denominator for all Tulane applicants would be working with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Prospective applicants should also seek support from their research mentors. My mentors included Tulane’s Dr. Fred Wietfeldt, Dr. Alex Himmel of Fermilab and Dr. Michela Negro of LSU. Another fantastic source of support would be from previous Goldwater recipients. For me, this was Advaith Subramanian. These people went out of their way to support me during the application process, and I would not have been successful in this endeavor if it were not for them. I am extremely grateful.”