---
title: UMD Senior Wins Astronaut Scholarship for STEM Leadership
date: 2026-06-05T16:00:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/umd-senior-wins-astronaut-scholarship-for-stem-leadership"
section: Articles
---
# UMD Senior Wins Astronaut Scholarship for STEM Leadership

*June 5, 2026* — by [Jason P. Dinh](/author/jason-p-dinh)


> Aspiring Physician-Scientist Intends to Launch Career Developing New Cancer Treatments

*The M 07102025 DS 3803 1920x1080 — Joshua Mathew ’27, one of 79 undergraduates nationwide selected for the 2026 Astronaut Scholarship, also recently received the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)*

A biological sciences major at the University of Maryland won a 2026 Astronaut Scholarship, which supports students in all STEM disciplines to ensure the United States maintains its leadership in science and technology.

Joshua Mathew ’27 is one of 79 undergraduates from 54 institutions nationwide selected by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation this year. He is the second UMD student to receive the honor, following 2025 awardee [Benjamin Raufman](https://cmns.umd.edu/news-events/news/umd-junior-awarded-prestigious-astronaut-scholarship).


*Joshua Mathew headshot*




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


**Tags:** [Biology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/biology), [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)