Patti Rizzo ’26, a chemistry and applied math double major from Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., has been named as a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship.
The Goldwater Scholarship Program identifies and supports college sophomores and juniors on their way to becoming research leaders in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics.
“Receiving the Barry Goldwater Scholarship is an honor,” Rizzo says. “It will provide the support, resources, and encouragement I need to explore new scientific ideas and work toward achieving my long-term career goal of continuing research at the graduate level.”
During her sophomore year at Colgate, Rizzo joined the lab of Visiting Assistant Professor Shanmuka Shivashankara working on theoretical high-energy physics. This experience led to a co-authorship on a peer-reviewed paper — an achievement that she credits for giving her the desire to pursue a career in research.
“Applying my knowledge of coding and matrices to create a deeper understanding of the behavior of subatomic particles and seeing these fundamental concepts contribute to higher-level research made me see how interconnected research and my passion for math could be,” Rizzo states.
Following this experience, Rizzo completed a summer research opportunity, working under Assistant Professor of Chemistry Eric Muller on polymer analyses. Polymer blends are chains of different molecules that can come together to form patterns on a very small scale. But how can we see the arrangement of polymers in these nanostructures? Rizzo wanted to know. So she used infrared scattering scanning nearfield optical microscopy, IR s-SNOM, in a new way to take pictures of the nanostructures. The method allowed her to dig down and see how different pieces of polymer interacted with each other and with light. The information in her snapshots could aid in the design of electronic devices. Rizzo will continue this work with Muller this fall.
In addition to pursuing research, Rizzo is the president of the Colgate Chemistry Club and tutors high school students with Colgate High School Tutors. She aims to inspire young girls to be curious and pursue science. She is also an oboist in the Colgate University Orchestra.
Rizzo is currently studying abroad in Cardiff Wales, and she recently accepted a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates position at the Northwestern University Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, an interdisciplinary program focused on multi-functional nanoscale material structures.
To learn more about the Goldwater Scholarship or other nationally competitive awards, reach out to Meghan Niedt, mniedt@colgate.edu, in the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships to schedule an appointment.