Southern Miss Biological Sciences Student Earns Esteemed Goldwater Scholarship
Fri, 04/11/2025 - 10:16am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
A student in The University of 麻豆传媒色情片鈥檚 (麻豆传媒色情片) Honors College has been awarded a coveted Goldwater Scholarship鈥搊ne of the oldest and most prestigious scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematicsin the United States.
Joseph Serio, a native of O鈥橣allon, Mo., majoring in biological sciences with minors in chemistry and world languages (emphasis in Spanish) is the 29th Southern Miss recipient, furthering the university鈥檚 lead in the state. After graduating from Southern Miss, Joseph plans to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and conduct research on gene therapies aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer鈥檚.
鈥淚t鈥檚 truly an honor to be selected as a Goldwater Scholar and to be the first biological sciences major at 麻豆传媒色情片 to receive it. I believe this recognition speaks volumes about the quality of guidance my mentors have provided me,鈥� said Serio in crediting Drs. Kaitlin Baudier and Alex Flynt in the 麻豆传媒色情片 School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences.
鈥淭his accomplishment would not have been possible without Dr. Baudier鈥檚 generosity and flexibility in helping tackle my first research project and Dr. Flynt鈥檚 expertise as I apply biotechnical approaches to investigate neurodegenerative pathologies,鈥� he said.
Dr. Alex Flynt (left) and Joseph Serio (right)
Serio also expressed appreciation to Dr. Keith Slotkin and Dr. Vivek Hari Sundar Gandhivel at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Mo., for the opportunity to work under their direction during his summer 2024 internship, and Mary Beard, director of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards at Southern Miss, for her support throughout the Goldwater application process.
鈥淗aving this recognition will be instrumental as I apply for graduate school in the fall, and this is especially so in consideration of this year鈥檚 unusually fierce competition,鈥� Serio added.
Serio said his science coursework at Southern Miss, particularly those centered around aspects of molecular biology, is appealing because 鈥渢hey help me to gain an in-depth understanding of the world around me.鈥�
鈥淐onsequently, I feel I have a bolstered appreciation for the life around me, especially in south Mississippi where there is so much rich biology to enjoy,鈥� he further noted.
Serio also emphasized the significance of his experience as an Honors College student.
鈥淎s a member of the Honors College, I have had access to classes in artificial intelligence and sci-fi film that have broadened my horizons as a student, and I have been able to grow as a leader through the Honors College community,鈥� he said.
Beard said she鈥檚 privileged to watch Serio grow in his research and represent 鈥渆verything the Goldwater Program seeks in showing exceptional promise as a research leader for the next generation of scientists.鈥�
鈥淛oseph was diligent in his pursuit of Goldwater, which made all the difference,鈥� said Beard. 鈥淗e鈥檚 brilliant, sincere, determined, humble鈥搕he list goes on. I鈥檓 proud of him beyond words, and I鈥檓 eager to see what impact his research will have on genetic diseases in the future.鈥�
Nationwide, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 441 Goldwater scholarships to college students for the 2025-26 academic year. Since the program鈥檚 inception in 1989, more than 11,000 scholarships have been awarded.
Named for the late U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, the Goldwater Scholarship Program seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors showing exceptional promise of becoming the nation鈥檚 next generation of research leaders in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics fields.
Learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship Program .