The Goldwater Scholarship program, honoring U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, aims to foster and encourage students to pursue research careers in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The program awards students who have a strong commitment to a research career and have the potential for a significant future contribution to research in their chosen field.

“I am very grateful to receive the 2022 Goldwater Scholarship. Being a Goldwater Scholar will help me tremendously as an independent first-generation college student,” Duenas said. “This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my courses and research without the constant worry of financial stress to pay for my education.”

Each scholar will receive up to $7,500 to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and housing for the academic year.

Duenas said her career goal is to obtain a doctorate in marine biology with a focus on coral. She is presently working under the NSF EPSCoR Student Research Experience and NSF SEAS ISLANDS Alliance programs. She is also studying the succession of crustose calcifying red algae under Professor Tom Schils at the UOG Marine Laboratory. 

“My professional aspirations are to conduct research on coral reef ecosystems in the Mariana Islands, teach at the collegiate level, and assist in starting up a marine laboratory in Saipan,” she said.