. . . and Finishing Up
 Biology
major and math minor Wendy Clement '02 is finishing her studies
at IC as a Goldwater scholar. This prestigious award, which honors
the late senator Barry M. Goldwater, has funded $7,500 of her
last year's expenses. She was one of 302 undergraduates chosen,
from 1,164 applicants. Clement's four years here have initiated
what will likely be a long career in botany, involving both teaching
and research.
Of the Goldwater scholarship, Clement says, "It feels amazing
to have your work recognized in such a way. I wouldn't have had
a chance at it if I hadn't taken all the opportunities IC offered
me. I've been conducting independent research on the same problem
since I was a freshman, and I was able to continue my work here
over the last two summers with the support of Dana student internships.
[The 2001 H&S newsletter described her research with associate
biology professor Susan Swensen on how the oldest member of the
Begonia family came to exist only on the Hawaiian islands. ---
Ed.] I think this award says something not only about me but also
about the biology faculty. They give us the knowledge, support,
and confidence we need to become independent and intelligent scientists.
Susan Swensen has been my mentor and good friend for four years,
and without her time, energy, and belief in me, I would never
have become the student I am now."
Clement plans to attend graduate school in the fall. She applied
to major research centers that study the molecular systematics
of plants, and acceptances from three of those, the University
of Florida, the University of Minnesota, and the University of
Washington, have made her choice difficult. She is eager to keep
tracking the kinds of questions about evolutionary biology that
interest her so much.
Editor's note: Clement's list of awards continues to grow.
In March, USA Today named her to the 2002 All-USA College
Academic Team.
Photo by Elizabeth Lawson
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