Skylar Walters: Rising Star in Computational Biology Awarded Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship
In an exciting showcase of talent and dedication, Skylar Walters, a promising computational biology student from Brown University, has earned one of the 441 coveted Goldwater Scholarships awarded nationwide last month. This prestigious award is recognized as the premier scholarship for American undergraduates pursuing excellence in STEM fields. Brenda Rubenstein, an associate professor of chemistry and physics at Brown and the incoming director of the Data Science Institute, enthusiastically supported Walters’ application and praised her remarkable potential.
“Skylar is precisely the type of student who truly deserves this recognition,” Rubenstein noted in an interview with Africazine. “Her creativity, insight, and relentless pursuit of knowledge set her apart.” A Goldwater Scholarship recipient herself during her time at Brown in 2006, Rubenstein has dedicated her time to mentoring aspiring scientists like Walters, helping them navigate the complexities of STEM research.
Walters’ journey into the realm of research kicked off before her junior year when she joined Brown’s Surveillance of Infectious Disease Lab, delving into studies surrounding the Ebola virus. Her inquisitive spirit soon led her to initiate her own research project under the mentorship of Katherine Siddle, a professor specializing in molecular microbiology and immunology. “Skylar thrives on challenges and excels at synthesizing information from her coursework to enhance her lab work, offering refreshing insights,” Siddle shared.
Her innovative project focuses on developing a deep learning model that identifies unknown viruses from complex genetic data sets. Currently, Walters is analyzing a dataset featuring 500 unclassified fever cases from Senegal, aiming to pinpoint the unknown viruses responsible for these illnesses. “This project could evolve into a diagnostic tool that not only enhances our understanding of disease ecosystems but has broader applications in studying the human gut microbiome,” Walters explained.
Skylar Walters first realized her passion for virus research upon entering Brown, though the direction of her research crystallized unexpectedly when she attended a computer science class—and was instantly captivated. “Now, I am committed to using computer science to tackle biological challenges,” she stated enthusiastically.
Looking ahead, Walters aims to further her education with a PhD in computational biology and bioinformatics, with aspirations to teach future students through research-driven courses where they can lead their research projects. “I hope the Goldwater Scholarship opens doors for me to engage with significant scientific inquiries that can yield substantial impacts on public health and research,” she remarked.
The future looks incredibly bright for Skylar Walters, a stellar example of the remarkable contributions young scholars can make to the field of STEM. Congratulations are in order for her fantastic achievement!
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the world of academia and beyond.
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