N.C. A&T Chemistry Student Named 2026 Goldwater Scholar

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 2, 2026) – Muzan Ebrahem, a junior in the College of Science and Technology (CoST) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, has been named a 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar, one of the most prestigious national awards for undergraduate students pursuing research careers in science, mathematics and engineering.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship, awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, significant research experience and a clear commitment to doctoral study and research‑intensive careers in STEM fields. Named for U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, the program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per academic year to support undergraduate tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board.

“Muzan represents the very best of what it means to be an Honors scholar,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., dean of N.C. A&T’s Honors College. “Her ability to pair intellectual depth with purposeful research and impact speaks to her drive and vision for the future. This recognition affirms not only her talent but also the kind of transformational student experience we aim to provide through the Honors College. We are incredibly proud of her and excited for what lies ahead.”

Ebrahem, an Honors College student studying chemistry, holds a 3.94 GPA and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in cancer biology, with a focus on identifying novel cancer vulnerabilities and advancing targeted and hybrid therapeutic approaches. Her academic and research resume reflects a high caliber of independence, intellectual maturity and interdisciplinary engagement for an undergraduate student.

“Being named a Goldwater Scholar is an incredible honor and affirms my commitment to pursuing a research career,” said Ebrahem. “I am deeply grateful for the mentorship, research opportunities and support I’ve received at North Carolina A&T. This recognition motivates me to continue asking challenging questions and contributing to research that can advance our understanding of cancer and improve therapeutic approaches.”

At A&T, Ebrahem conducts research in the Department of Chemistry under the mentorship of Rachel Bangle, Ph.D., assistant chemistry professor, where she investigates the synthesis and application of shape‑dependent silver nanoplates as antimicrobial agents. Her work integrates nanomaterials synthesis, spectroscopy, and microscopy to address challenges related to antimicrobial resistance.

“We are incredibly proud of this outstanding achievement. Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is a testament to Muzan's exceptional talent, dedication to research, and commitment to scientific excellence,” said Abdellah Ahmidouch, Ph.D., CoST dean.  “This recognition also reflects the outstanding mentorship provided by her faculty advisor, Dr. Bangle. Together, they exemplify the excellence in research and scholarship we strive to cultivate in the College of Science and Technology.”

In addition to her on‑campus research, Ebrahem completed a highly competitive summer undergraduate internship program at the University of Pennsylvania, where she conducted cancer biology research under Donita Brady, Ph.D. Her project examined novel copper‑binding inhibitors aimed at overcoming resistance mechanisms in melanoma therapies. As a result of her research excellence, she was selected to present her findings at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium, an honor awarded to only a select group of participants nationwide.

“At North Carolina A&T, our Goldwater nominees represent the very best of undergraduate research excellence, and Muzan truly stands out at the national level,” said Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., Goldwater Scholarship campus interim liaison and associate Honors College dean of Research and Program Innovation. “She combines exceptional academic strength with remarkable research independence and creativity. Her ability to design experiments, troubleshoot complex challenges, and think deeply about scientific problems places her well beyond her undergraduate peers.”

The Goldwater Scholarship Program at A&T is administered through the Honors College. Students interested in learning more about the Goldwater Scholarship or the application process are encouraged to email Dumancas at ggdumancas@ncat.edu for additional information.