front of CELS building
News and Announcements

Chemistry Student Wins Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Montclair State University undergraduate Marisa Messina’s research targets breast cancer treatment through enzyme study

Posted in: Awards & Recognition, Chemistry & Biochemistry, CSAM Research, CSAM Students

Marisa Messina in the chemistry lab
Marisa Messina, a junior Chemistry major, is the first student in Montclair’s history to win the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.

A Montclair State University undergraduate was named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar, becoming the first student in University history to earn this prestigious award. Junior Chemistry major Marisa Messina’s research focuses on an enzyme that could one day be used to target breast cancer treatments.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most impressive national undergraduate scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics, says Computer Science Professor Stefan Robila, the campus representative for the Goldwater Scholarship. It is awarded to students who plan to conduct research within their field after graduation, and eventually become experts in that field. Messina plans to pursue a doctorate in Medicinal Chemistry with a long-term goal of joining a pharmaceutical research team with potential to cure disease.

This extraordinary honor confirms the high quality of Marisa’s work. She demonstrates a clear plan for a research path strongly anchored in her previous work and personal experiences and a passion for discovery and innovation.

Read the Full Article