FRIB research assistant earns Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Charlie Hultquist, a research assistant at the FRIB Laboratory and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), has earned a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.
Hultquist is a Michigan State University (MSU) undergraduate student and MSU Honors College junior. He is majoring in physics and advanced mathematics in the College of Natural Science. Hultquist is a research assistant at NSCL for Remco Zegers, professor of physics at FRIB and in MSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. He is also a recipient of MSU’s Alumni Distinguished Scholarship. He is from Aurora, Illinois, and graduated from the Illinois Math and Science Academy.
"I am incredibly excited to be selected as a Goldwater scholar and earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work. I would like to thank my research mentor, Dr. Remco Zegers, and the entire MSU community that has supported me throughout my college experience. This opportunity would not have been possible without them. I look forward to continuing my research here at MSU and in graduate school," Hultquist said.
Zegers said Hultquist played an important role in preparing the Low Energy Neutron Detector Array (LENDA) for an experiment at NSCL. He also analyzed neutron interactions in the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) by using data taken during another experiment. Most recently, he focused on machine-learning algorithms for analyzing data recently taken during experiments with the Active-Target Time-Projection Chamber (AT-TPC) at the S800 Spectrograph and the development of discrete-wavelet transformation techniques for the analysis of spectra.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Charlie on several interesting research projects related to experiments by the Charge-Exchange Group at FRIB/NSCL,” said Zegers. “He is a very deserving recipient of the Goldwater Fellowship and I congratulate him for his accomplishments. I very much appreciate and thank him for his contributions to the laboratory and the research performed by the group.”
Each year, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship seeks scholars committed to a career in science, mathematics, or engineering who display intellectual intensity and who have the potential for significant future contribution in their chosen field. Those students are awarded funding for undergraduate tuition and living expenses.
For the 2021 Goldwater Scholarship competition, 1,256 outstanding undergraduates were nominated by 438 institutions. Hultquist was among 410 scholars selected. MSU has produced 49 Goldwater Scholars.
The funding for these awards is a collaboration between the U.S. Congress and the Department of Defense’s National Defense Education Program.
The National/International Fellowships & Scholarships (NIFS) Office, administered by the Honors College, helps interested undergraduate and graduate students pursue major national and international opportunities by providing information and direct support throughout the competitive application processes.
Original article from the MSU Honors College: https://nifs.msu.edu/news/2021-26-03-goldwater-awardees.html
