---
title: 4 Terps Awarded 2025 Goldwater Scholarships
date: 2025-04-02T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/4-terps-awarded-2025-goldwater-scholarships"
section: Articles
---
# 4 Terps Awarded 2025 Goldwater Scholarships

*April 2, 2025* — by [Katie Bemb](/author/abby-robinson)


> UMD’s 53 Scholarships Since 2010 Rank No. 2 Nationwide

*Goldwater Scholars 1920x1080 2 — From left, Benjamin Raufman ’26, Clara Abdelmalek ’26, Luiz Mata Lopez ’26 and Harikesh Kailad ’27, all from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, are among 441 Goldwater Scholars selected from 1,350 nominees across the country.*

Four University of Maryland undergraduates have been awarded 2025 scholarships by the [Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation](https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/), which encourages students to pursue advanced study and research careers in the sciences, engineering and mathematics.

Clara Abdelmalek ’26 (neuroscience), Harikesh Kailad ’27 (computer science and mathematics double major), Luiz Mata Lopez ’26 (computer science and mathematics double major) and Benjamin Raufman ’26 (chemistry and mathematics double-degree student), all in the [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://cmns.umd.edu/)(CMNS), are among 441 Goldwater Scholars selected from 1,350 nominees nationally. They’ll receive one- or two-year scholarships that cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year.

“I am very proud of Clara, Harikesh, Luiz and Benjamin, whose amazing scholarship, dedication and hard work represent what CMNS strives for,” Dean Amitabh Varshney said. “Being named a Goldwater Scholar is an incredible accomplishment, and I cannot wait to see how they use this opportunity to make an even greater impact on the world.”

Since the program's first award in 1989, the Goldwater Foundation has recognized 86 winners and five honorable mentions from UMD. Since 2010, UMD’s nominations yielded 53 scholarships—second in the nation only to Stanford.

“The 2025 UMD Goldwater scholars are an exceptional group whose current and future research will impact science and society,” said CMNS Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education Robert Infantino, who has led UMD’s Goldwater Scholarship nominating process since 2001. “I am especially delighted that a UMD transfer student nominee was named a scholar for the first time. The competition is also extra challenging for sophomores, so Hari’s accomplishment is also particularly noteworthy.”



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*Clara Abdelmalek headshot*



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*Harikesh Kailad headshot*



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*Luiz Mata Lopez headshot*



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*Benjamin Raufman headshot*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Chemistry and Biochemistry](https://today.umd.edu/topic/chemistry-and-biochemistry), [Computer Science](https://today.umd.edu/topic/computer-science), [Mathematics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/mathematics), [Neuroscience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/neuroscience), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences)