University of New Hampshire sophomore Vasiliy Vorotnikov of Nashua has won a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years.
A chemical engineering majorand member of the University Honors Program, Vorotnikov was one of 317 students selected on the
basis of academic merit from among more than 1,000 math, science and engineering students nominated nationwide.
He is one of only two students from New Hampshire universities to receive the scholarship. Michael Antosh, a senior studying physics at UNH, received the Goldwater Scholarship for 2006-07.
The Goldwater Scholarships, the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields, cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. Almost all Goldwater scholars pursue doctorates in their fields.
Vorotnikov plans to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering and conduct
research in alternative energy sources.
Im particularly interested in cellulosic ethanol and its mass production strategies, he said. I believe that working on engineering methods for a higher yield of ethanol will be making a significant step toward saving the world by providing alternative fuel sources.
At UNH, Vorotnikov has worked extensively with Charles Smith, research professor of physics in the Space Science Center at the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth Oceans and Space. He also credits lecturer in mathematics Gertrud Kraut; his advisor, professor of chemical engineering P.T. Vasudevan; and the UNH Fellowship Office for helping him apply for and receive the award.
I find it amazing that the professors at UNH get to spend so much time helping students learn more about themselves, go through the process of
applying, and get a chance to reach their goals, said Vorotnikov.
That Vasiliy received this honor as a sophomore only a third of the Goldwater scholars are sophomores speaks to his remarkable qualifications as a scientist and a scholar, said Robert Stiefel, fellowships coordinator and advisor at UNH.
Were proud to have our second Goldwater Scholar in as many years.
A native of Moscow, Russia, Vorotnikov has lived in Nashua since 2000.
He is the son of Sergey Vorotnikov and Kate Vorotnikova and a graduate of Nashua High School North.