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Connecticut College junior wins Goldwater Scholarship; Second student receives Honorable Mention

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Two Connecticut College students have received national recognition by The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. Laura Frawley '10 is a 2009 Goldwater Scholar and Andrew Margenot '10 was recognized with an honorable mention.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, authorized by the United States Congress in 1986 in honor of Senator Barry M. Goldwater, encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in science, mathematics or engineering.

Frawley, a biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology major from Needham, Mass., was selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,097 mathematics, science, and engineering students nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. As one of this year's 278 Goldwater Scholars, Frawley will receive a one-year scholarship of up to $7,500.

"Laura's excellent grades, laboratory work and service to the biology department make her most deserving of this award," said Marc Zimmer, the Barbara Zaccheo Kohn '72 Professor of Chemistry at Connecticut College. Zimmer, Connecticut College's Goldwater faculty representative, nominated both Frawley and Margenot.

Frawley plans to purse a Ph.D. or combined M.D./ Ph.D. in molecular biology. She is particularly interested in the mechanisms of cancer and hopes to conduct oncological research in an academic setting. As an undergraduate student at Connecticut College, Frawley has logged nearly 500 hours of research with Biology Professor Martha Grossel, a cancer researcher who specializes in understanding unchecked cellular division.

In a recommendation letter, Grossel wrote that Frawley has an infectious enthusiasm and unique creativity that make her very successful in the lab and as a tutor to her fellow students. "She is not only kind and patient, but she understands concepts fully and so is able to help other students better understand course material," Grossel said.

Frawley said her professors act as mentors and encourage her to follow her dreams. "I have had wonderful opportunities to conduct research and to work closely with my professors," Frawley said. "I´m really humbled by this award, and I think it reflects the faculty interest here in developing students into scientists."

Margenot, a biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology and philosophy double major from Lincoln, R.I., plans to pursue a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry. After graduate school, Margenot hopes to conduct research on natural product antibiotics and teach at the university level.

Zimmer said Margenot is an excellent student who somehow finds time to tutor both biology and chemistry students, perform as a member of the College's concert band, run cross-country and write a regular science column for the Connecticut College student newspaper.

"A Goldwater Honorable Mention is a great honor for an undergraduate science major," Zimmer said. "I am proud of Andrew's accomplishments and have no doubt that he will make an excellent professor."

About Connecticut College

Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college's 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning.

For more information, visit www.conncoll.edu.

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April 2, 2009