Julianna Lian recipient of 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Annual scholarship recognizes undergraduate students in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Julianna Lian, a Department of Chemistry junior, is a recipient of a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship.
Lian studies mechanochemistry, organic and polymer chemistry in the lab of Professor Jeremiah Johnson. In addition to her studies, she serves the MIT community as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with MIT Emergency Medical Services, is a member of MIT THINK, and a ClubChem Mentorship Chair.
On receipt of this award, Lian shares, “Receiving this award has been a tremendous opportunity to not only reflect on how much I have learned, but also on the many many people I have had the chance to learn from. I am deeply grateful for the guidance, support, and encouragement of these teachers, mentors, and friends. And I am excited to carry forward the lasting curiosity and excitement for chemistry that they have helped inspire in me.”
Lian’s career goals post-graduation include pursuing a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, to conduct research at the interface of synthetic chemistry and materials science, aided by computation, and teach at the university level.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater. By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, the Goldwater Foundation is helping ensure that the U.S. is producing the number of highly-qualified professionals the Nation needs in these critical fields.
