Three Aggies Awarded Goldwater Scholarships

 

 

 

Three Texas A&M University students – Montgomery Bohde, Trevor Martinez and Coby Scrudder – have been named 2025 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. They are among 441 recipients from across the United States.

Established in 1986 in memory of former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, the foundation supports outstanding undergraduate students pursuing research careers in STEM fields. The scholarship provides $7,500 per year for tuition and living expenses as they continue their education.

“It is an honor to congratulate Montgomery Bohde, Trevor Martinez and Coby Scrudder for being selected as recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, interim vice provost for faculty affairs and associate provost for academic enhancement. “This award is a testament to their hard work and dedication to pursue their passion in scientific research and make a difference in the lives of others.”

  

Montgomery Bohde

Bohde ‘26 is a dual major at Texas A&M, pursuing degrees in computer science and applied mathematics with a minor in philosophy.

“The Goldwater Scholarship is an incredible honor and is the culmination of several years of hard work,” he said. “My friends and family may not understand my papers or my accomplishments within my field, so winning a national award like this is nice because it helps them to understand the impact of my research.”

He joined Dr. Shuiwang Ji’s DIVE Lab in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, where he developed a passion for artificial intelligence and machine learning in science. His published work focuses on using machine learning to understand molecular movement and structure. 

Bohde plans to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science, researching the intersection of machine learning and life sciences. Outside of the classroom, Bohde is a first-generation engineering peer mentor and the technical director of the Texas A&M Computing Society.

 

 

Trevor Martinez

Martinez ‘26 is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry from the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. For him, the scholarship is both a testament to his hard work and the strong mentorship he has received at Texas A&M.

“It has not only been a major blessing to me and my family, but the achievement has comforted me in knowing that I have been able to make progress in terms of academics and involvement throughout my undergraduate degree at Texas A&M,” Martinez said. “Additionally, I am reminded of the generosity and guidance offered to me by Dr. William Murphy and his lab, where I first began my journey as well as Dr. Richard Gomer and his lab where I’ve continued my path towards my goals in biological research.”

He began his research journey in Dr. William Murphy’s lab and now works in Dr. Richard Gomer’s lab, studying potential therapeutics for fibrosing diseases, conditions that lead to scarring of organs like the lungs and kidneys.

Martinez plans to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology, and ultimately work in biotechnology as a postdoctoral researcher before transitioning into academia.

 

Coby Scrudder

Scrudder ‘26, is a third-year College of Engineering student, pursuing dual degrees in chemical engineering and mathematics, with a minor in chemistry.

Scrudder conducts research under Jodie Lutkenhaus, associate dean for research in the engineering college, on fast-charging carbon fiber composite batteries. 

“This award means a lot to me as the financial support will allow me to devote more time to research in my last year of school,” Scrudder said. “It has also helped assure me that research is the path for my future and that the work I am doing is impactful and important.”

Scrudder completed a year-long research co-op at NASA’s Langley Research Center, where he worked on solid-state batteries for electric aviation. He also has conducted research at University of Houston and University of Maryland, and will continue his research at Yale University this summer.

On campus, he is active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Sophomore Retreat. He plans to pursue his Ph.D. in chemical engineering or materials, to become a professor at a research university and mentor the next generation of scientists.