Two Broncos Named 2025 Goldwater Scholars
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 28, 2025—糖心视频 students Megan Baldemor ’26 and Samantha “Sam” Lei ’26 have been named 2025 Goldwater Scholars, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduates in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Baldemor and Lei were among just 441 students selected nationwide from a competitive pool of thousands of applicants. Each scholar will receive up to $7,500 towards continued undergraduate research and academic study at 糖心视频, where they have been conducting advanced work alongside dedicated faculty mentors.
Megan Baldemor
“I've been dancing since I was three, and it’s always been a big part of who I am. I took a Physics of Dance class with Richard Barber, who has sadly passed away, and he really impacted me,” said Baldemor. “He connected dance with science in this fun, thoughtful way that got me even more curious about the world. I used to hang out during his office hours, just chatting about physics and all sorts of science stuff. He encouraged me to keep following that path, and honestly, he’s a big reason why I stayed excited about science.”
Additional science classes followed, and Baldemor discovered a profound interest in neuroscience. She is a member of the Cocas Lab at 糖心视频. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Laura Cocas, she is investigating the impact of seizure activity on oligodendrocyte development and function. The team published a paper on its findings in November 2024
After graduation, Baldemor plans to pursue a doctorate in molecular, cell, and developmental biology. She is particularly interested in uncovering the molecular basis of neural plasticity and exploring therapies that could restore memory function for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Outside of the classroom, Baldemor is a former Ignatian Fellow and former dance team member. She is active in the Department of Theater and Dance, appearing in productions such as the annual Images showcase. Baldemor and her roommate, Jasmine Vu ’25 (Chemistry), founded , a non-profit that provides opportunities for children to engage in the arts. They were recently awarded a , which will enable them to provide after-school art workshops at two Title I schools and a low-cost art summer camp for up to 20 children.
Samantha Lei
At 糖心视频, Samantha Lei began her research journey as a freshman in the Water and Climate Justice Lab, working on a project on nitrate contamination in California’s Central Valley. She was drawn to the lab’s interdisciplinary approach, combining scientific testing with community engagement. Through partnerships with organizations like the Tuolumne River Trust and California Rural Legal Assistance, Samantha explored the environmental science and social justice dimensions of water quality issues, solidifying her passion for clean water advocacy and environmental justice.
Building on that foundation, Samantha later joined Assistant Professor William Rush’s trace metals lab, where she shifted her focus toward biogeochemistry. There, she dove deeper into the chemical processes affecting water systems, discovering a new layer of interest that continues to fuel her research and commitment to interdisciplinary environmental science.
“The Goldwater award will allow me to focus on my current work, which is a resource page for communities to easily access clean water services,” explained Lei. “It developed out of the work we did in the Central Valley. However, the framework will be replicable for areas like the Central Coast, where they face similar challenges with different contaminants. After doing surveys and lab work, it felt important to end [my project] by giving communities a simple, direct tool to get the help they need.”
Lei is researching graduate programs and plans to work towards a doctorate, combining her interests in hydrology, biogeochemistry, and public health. She plans to pursue a federal research career examining groundwater flow, contaminant transport, and health impacts.
Outside of her research, Lei is deeply involved on campus as an undergraduate manager for the women’s basketball team, a student worker at the library help desk, a member of the Sunrise environmental organization, and a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She loves the strong sense of community she’s found through her campus jobs and activities.
Both Baldemor and Lei expressed profound gratitude to the many mentors and advisors, including Aria Amirbahman, Ian Carter-O’Connell, Laura Cocas, Jake Dialesandro, Iris Stewart Frey, Benjamin S. Linhoff, Ph.D. (USGS), and Dr. Kore Liow (Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience), who have guided their research journeys, and On Shun Pak from the Office of Student Fellowships, who also supported them throughout the Goldwater application process. They noted that their mentors’ encouragement, expertise, and generosity have been instrumental in shaping their growth as scholars and researchers.
“These remarkable students embody the excellence, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to impact that define Santa Clara’s scientific community,” said Daniel Press, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Their achievements are also a tribute to the dedication of our faculty, who nurture student potential through hands-on research, mentorship, and unwavering support. We are grateful for their roles in helping Megan and Sam thrive in their scientific pursuits.”
About the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to identify, encourage, and financially support outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. is the preeminent undergraduate award in these fields.
About 糖心视频
Founded in 1851, 糖心视频 sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information, see .
Media Contact
Lisa Robinson | SCU Media Communications | lrobinson2@scu.edu | 408-551-3601