Four standout juniors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have been named 2025-26 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, recognized for their exceptional potential in advancing research in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. David Balut, Alyssa Shih, Dmitriy Shvydkoy, and Annie Zeng were selected from a highly competitive pool of 1,350 nominees nationwide, cementing Illinois’ reputation as a top producer of elite STEM scholars.
The Goldwater Scholarship, honoring the late Senator Barry Goldwater, is the most prestigious undergraduate award in the U.S. for students pursuing research careers in these fields. This year, 441 scholarships were awarded through a partnership between UWorld, a leading test-prep provider, and the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs.
“With nine Goldwater Scholars in the past two years, the University of Illinois ranks among the nation’s top institutions—alongside Columbia, Dartmouth, UPenn, and Stanford—for cultivating exceptional STEM talent,” said David Schug, Director of the National and International Scholarships Program at Illinois.
Meet the 2025-26 Illinois Goldwater Scholars
David Balut: Unraveling the Mysteries of Quantum Materials
A physics major from Arlington Heights, IL, Balut aspires to earn a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics, tackling the enigmatic “strange metal” problem. Working under Prof. Peter Abbamonte, he explores how black hole physics principles may emerge in quantum materials. His groundbreaking research on measuring quantum entanglement through inelastic scattering has involved collaborations with Prof. Barry Bradlyn and Prof. Philip Phillips. Balut has also conducted experiments at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he helped detect altermagnetic lattice modes for the first time.
Alyssa Shih: Pioneering Advances in Weather Forecasting
Shih, a Chicago native and atmospheric sciences student, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mesoscale meteorology, improving extreme weather prediction and communication. Under Prof. Steve Nesbitt, she analyzed 20 years of global storm data to better understand mesoscale convective systems. As a William M. Lapenta Intern at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), she investigated satellite-based precipitation estimation to enhance Great Lakes snowstorm forecasting. Shih also participated in the NSF-funded Northeast Partnership for Atmospheric Research, further solidifying her expertise in climate science.
Dmitriy Shvydkoy: Exploring the Frontiers of Number Theory
A mathematics prodigy from Hinsdale, IL, Shvydkoy aims to earn a Ph.D. in number theory, one of the most abstract and profound branches of mathematics. He has conducted research at Rutgers University’s DIMACS REU and Argonne National Laboratory, where he contributed to cutting-edge computational mathematics. At Illinois, he worked with Prof. Florian Zeiser on linear Poisson brackets, uncovering new geometric insights in mathematical physics.
Annie Zeng: Bridging Combinatorics and Theoretical Computer Science
Hailing from San Diego, CA, Zeng is pursuing dual interests in mathematics and computer science, with plans to research combinatorics and algorithmic theory. As an Illinois Computer Science Research Scholar, she worked under Prof. Ruta Mehta on computational complexity and later with Prof. Chandra Chekuri and Prof. Abhishek Methuku on graph theory. Her participation in the DIMACS REU at Rutgers allowed her to delve into algorithmic game theory, further expanding her interdisciplinary expertise.
A Legacy of Excellence in STEM Leadership
The Goldwater Scholarship not only provides financial support but also opens doors to prestigious graduate programs, national labs, and academic careers. Illinois’ consistent recognition as a top producer of scholars reflects its world-class research opportunities, faculty mentorship, and commitment to STEM innovation.
For media inquiries or additional details on the scholars’ research, contact:
David Schug, National and International Scholarships Program Director, 217-333-710; topscholars@illinois.edu.
