Three Students Earn Goldwater Scholarships Recognizing Rising Stars in the Sciences

Three Rutgers students have been selected as Goldwater Scholars, a prestigious national honor for undergraduates who plan to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

This year's honorees include Keshav Badri, a physics and mathematics major at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and two students at Rutgers-Camden: Amisha Rastogi, who is in an accelerated degree program to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Jacob Oblander, a biology major at forefront of cutting-edge biomedical research.

They are among 454 students nationwide named Goldwater Scholars this spring.

The announcement marks several milestones at Rutgers: It's the 21st consecutive year students from Rutgers-New Brunswick have been selected as Goldwater Scholars and the second year in a row two students were selected from Rutgers-Camden.

Named after the late Sen. Barry Goldwater, the undergraduate research scholarship awards recipients up to $7,500 to help cover costs associated with room and board, tuition, fees and books. Winners were chosen from a pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors nominated by 482 academic institutions.

Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway celebrated the achievement for Badri and the university.

"Keshav Badri is a role model for the Rutgers-New Brunswick community and a champion for our global role as a university where excellence meets opportunity and where the discovery of new knowledge makes a real difference," Conway said.

Laura Collins, founding director of the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising at Rutgers-Camden, also applauded the accomplishment.

"I have been fortunate to work with both Amisha and Jacob, supporting their interests and observing their growth," said Collins. "The university is thrilled for this recognition and look forward to seeing how this will continue to advance each of them in their aspirations."

Meet the scholars

Keshav Badri
School of Arts and Sciences
Rutgers-New Brunswick Honors College

Keshav Badri enjoys solving puzzles, be they of the jigsaw variety or ones involving theoretical condensed matter physics.

Badri is a junior attending the Honors College at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and the School of Arts and Sciences, where he is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in physics and mathematics. The Raritan, N.J. resident aims to better understand "emergent phenomena within thin films and heterostructures" - namely how stacking two or more layers of a single material can engineer its emergent properties.

As the most recent Goldwater Scholar from the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the past two years, Badri plans to pursue a doctoral degree in physics and work in theoretical condensed matter physics at a national lab or university.

"In some sense, it's a validation for me that I'm going in the right direction," said Badri, whose physics major is focused on the professional track.

The 20-year-old said he applied for the scholarship because "I was really inspired by a few upperclassmen I've known who've gone through the application process. Their accomplishments motivated me to achieve as much as possible."

As an undergraduate researcher for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Badri's efforts in condensed matter research are twofold:

• He works in Associate Professor Jedediah H. Pixley's theory group on research pertaining to cold atom lattice systems (experimental setups where neutral atoms are cooled to near absolute zero and trapped in a periodic potential created by interfering laser beams known as an optical lattice).
• Badri also works in Assistant Professor Shaowen Chen's experiment group to build nanoscale devices from twisted heterostructure materials.

"It's great that I've been able to do both theory and experiment," Badri said. "Theory and experiment work very, very closely together in condensed matter physics. I really gained a better appreciation for doing experimental work, and I've also gained a better appreciation for theory and seeing how we can apply it to experiments. Being an undergraduate researcher has given me the opportunity to do both. And I think that's what has really made my experience."

He added, "I want to express my sincere appreciation for my mentors because, realistically, I don't think I would be anywhere near where I am without them."

Amisha Rastogi
College of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers-Camden
Rutgers-Camden Honors College

As a high school student, Amisha Rastogi developed a strong interest in neuropsychology and envisioned a future in medicine. Now a junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry, she is actively pursuing that goal through Rutgers University-Camden's 3+4 B.S./D.O. program in partnership with the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine.

The accelerated pathway on her way to earning a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, which takes a holistic approach treating the whole person-mind, body, and spirit-reflects both her academic drive and her commitment to integrating scientific research with clinical practice.

At Rutgers-Camden, Rastogi - who is also enrolled in the Honors College - has embraced opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research bridging multiple fields. She works in the Stress Neuroscience Lab, where her research focuses on how sex- and age-related differences influence stress hormone signaling, contributing to a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms behind stress-related health outcomes. Her work examines complex processes at the intersection of neuroscience and physiology, helping to inform more nuanced approaches to studying the brain and behavior.

In addition to her neuroscience research, Rastogi has been involved with the Rutgers-Camden AI Ethics Lab since her freshman year. There, she collaborates on projects that explore the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, particularly in relation to human rights and vulnerable populations.

Her role at the AI Ethics Lab has offered her several leadership opportunities beyond campus. In December 2025, Rastogi served as a Governor's STEM Scholar Team Lead and attended the New Jersey Governor's "STEM in Academia" conference at Princeton University, where she engaged with researchers, policymakers, and fellow scholars on the role of STEM in higher education and public service.

Rastogi credits her growth to the mentorship and collaborative environments she has found across campus, which have encouraged her to think critically and pursue questions that span disciplines. These experiences have reinforced her goal of becoming a physician-scientist, where she hopes to integrate patient care with research on neurological and psychiatric conditions.

"The Goldwater Scholarship provides me with recognition, support, and a network of scholars to lean on as I continue to pursue research opportunities, prepare for doctoral training, and deepen my commitment to science and the community," said Rastogi.

Jacob Oblander
College of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers-Camden

Jacob Oblander, a junior majoring in biology, did not initially envision a future in research. When he arrived at Rutgers University-Camden, he planned to pursue a medical degree and become a cardiologist.

That trajectory shifted during his first semester, when a lecture at Weiner Lab at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia-a prestigious nonprofit that conduct leading biomedical research-introduced him to the world of vaccine design and DNA-based therapeutics. The experience sparked a new sense of purpose, ultimately leading him to pursue a career in scientific research.

Since then, Oblander has immersed himself in increasingly advanced research opportunities. After gaining early laboratory experience at Rutgers-Camden, where he was awarded an undergraduate research grant to support his independent work in experimental design and data analysis, he joined the Weiner Lab, where he now studies DNA-encoded therapeutics and vaccines. This work places him at the forefront of cutting-edge biomedical research, contributing to innovations that could transform how diseases are treated and prevented.

A key part of Oblander's development has been the strong network of mentors and programs supporting his work. As a participant in the U-RISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) program, he has benefited from structured research training and professional development, while faculty and advisors at Rutgers-Camden and The Wistar Institute have helped him build critical connections and refine his scientific interests. He credits these mentors with guiding him toward opportunities that have shaped both his academic and professional trajectory.

Looking ahead, Oblander plans to pursue a Ph.D. and continue his work in the DNA vaccine and therapeutics space, with an emphasis on both discovery and mentorship in science.

"My goal moving forward is to pursue a PhD and continue working in the DNA vaccine and therapeutic space," said Oblander. "Winning the Goldwater Scholarship is an incredible honor that will connect me with a community of scientists that I think will be invaluable as I move into grad school and begin my research career."