HAMILTON – Junior defender Gwen Eichfeld was selected as the recipient of the highly competitive, merit-based Barry Goldwater Scholarship, Colgate University announced last week. The announcement comes on the heels of Eichfeld's selection as a Harvard-Amgen Scholar, a 10-week summer research program that takes place in the cutting-edge facilities of Harvard University. 

"When I came to Colgate I wanted to play hockey and pursue science at a high level, including finding camaraderie and community in each," Eichfeld said. "I've really enjoyed that process and I'm glad Colgate is a place where I can grow like that. You can be both an athlete and a student here while pursuing other interests."

The Goldwater Scholarship Program is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious awards given in the fields of natural science, mathematics, and engineering. The scholarship provides funding and resources to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue a career in one of the aforementioned fields, where Eichfeld has always felt right at home. 

"Ever since I was little I had an intrinsic drive to understand the way things work," Eichfeld said. "I really like research because it's a direct way to interact with the world and learn more. Within my family, I've seen how science-based therapies can change the course of someone's life, and having that unique perspective is why I'm interested in pursuing science as a career." 

The neuroscience major has been succeeding in STEM long before her time at Colgate. While studying at Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Minnesota, she was named a finalist at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair after completing an independent research study in computational biology and epidemiology, publishing her work in a peer-reviewed high school journal. 

Eichfeld continued to feed her passion once she stepped on Colgate's campus, joining Professor Jeanne Hansen to research ovarian cancer cells and Professor Ken Belanger to study the microbiome.

The Winnetka, Ill. native also interned at the National Institutes of Health where she researched genetic diseases before joining Professor Priscilla Van Wynsberghe's molecular biology lab back on campus this year. 

"My professors contributed greatly to me being where I am now," Eichfeld said. "When I came to Colgate, I had an idea that I wanted to pursue science. I was new, but a lot of professors talked with me, gave me a chance to explore my interests, and helped me grow my passion for science. I'm really appreciative of that." 

If the three-time ECAC Hockey champion's resume was not already impressive enough, Eichfeld is also a certified EMT, a Colgate University Golden Fellow, and a founding member of the Neuroscience Club on campus. 

"Balancing academics with athletics is definitely a lot sometimes," Eichfeld said. "But somehow it all gets done. I love science so a lot of my classes don't really feel like work, and Colgate is also a place where you can have really great relationships with your professors. It's helpful to know that I have that support from them."

As the hockey off season comes into full swing, Eichfeld will travel to Cambridge, Mass. to begin her work as a Harvard-Amgen Scholar where she will conduct hands-on, innovative research under the mentorship of Harvard faculty and staff in some of the finest labs in the country. 

She will wind down her senior season in maroon and white next year as she looks to continue her focus on neuroscience by obtaining an MD/PhD. 

"I'm not sure where these experiences will take me," Eichfeld concluded. "I just want to keep exploring and doing what I love."