Tulane physics major wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Skylar Deckoff-Jones, a Tulane University sophomore majoring in physics, has won the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, and Shreya Kashyap, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience, received honorable mention.

Deckoff-Jones, who is from Santa Fe, N.M., plans to pursue a doctorate in physics and conduct complex material research in a government research laboratory. He was one of 283 Goldwater Scholarship recipients from across the country.

The Goldwater Scholarship, established by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry Goldwater"s 56 years of service to the United States, is the premier national award for undergraduates interested in careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. The one and two-year scholarships provide up to $7,500 in tuition and other college expenses.

“Being chosen as a Goldwater Scholar is a huge honor that reaffirms my desire to go to graduate school,” Deckoff-Jones said. “I am excited for future lab work, graduate studies and ultimately making a contribution to the material sciences.”

Matthew Escarra, assistant professor of physics and engineering physics at Tulane, wrote a recommendation for Deckoff-Jones, and said he is not surprised that his student won.

“As a new assistant professor at Tulane in the fall of 2013, Skylar was in the first course I taught,” he said. “His clear potential as a scientist made me immediately impressed with the quality of undergraduates in science and engineering at Tulane. I will be proud to remember that he was in that first Tulane course."

That Tulane had a student receive honorable mention is also a significant achievement, Escarra said.

Shrey Kashyap of Metairie plans to pursue a doctorate in pharmacology. Her career goals include conducting research to develop medications for neuroendocrinological disorders and teaching at the university level.