Mercer Times

Physics major Michael Polania from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has been recognized as a 2024–2025 Goldwater Scholar. This prestigious national award is designated for undergraduate students in mathematics, science, and engineering fields.

Out of 1,353 faculty-nominated sophomores and juniors across 446 academic institutions nationwide, only 438 students received the scholarship for the upcoming academic year. The Goldwater Scholarship provides up to $7,500 annually to help cover educational expenses such as tuition, books, and room and board.

Polania's interest in space began at an early age. He actively engaged in student-faculty research collaborations from the start of his college career at TCNJ. "Starting the second week of my freshman year, I reached out to professors in the physics department and asked them if they had any research opportunities available," he stated.

Under the guidance of his faculty advisor, physics professor Mariah MacDonald, Polania conducted research on exoplanet dynamics that was published in The Astronomical Journal. They also presented their findings at the American Astronomical Society conference held in Seattle in January 2023.

Since then, Polania has collaborated with various professors on projects related to dark matter, electromagnetic radiation emissions from rotating black holes, and slow slip events along the Mexican megathrust. "I wanted to try a lot of things to see what I'd be interested in," he explained. "I've learned that I'm really interested in dark matter."

After completing his studies at TCNJ, Polania aims to pursue a PhD in theoretical astrophysics with aspirations of becoming a research scientist specializing in cosmology and particle physics at either a private institution or government laboratory.

Polania's academic achievements have led him to invitations from several honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa's national chapter at TCNJ as well as Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society. He is also involved as a Bonner Scholar and EOF student while participating as a tutor within TCNJ’s Tutoring Center and honors program. This summer he will take part in a research experience hosted by the University of Washington located in Seattle.

The Goldwater Scholarship recognizes students who intend on pursuing graduate degrees within STEM disciplines; recipients are selected based upon outstanding academic performance alongside notable research credentials.