Gabriella Marinelli

Written by: Gabriella Marinelli and Christopher Rotondo

Hofstra University junior biochemistry student Antonio Collado was awarded the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in America for those studying natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. Collado was given this Goldwater scholar honor along with 412 other students throughout the country. He is the second in the university to receive this award, following Joseph Mancuso in 2020. 

“As the Goldwater Campus Representative, I have selected Hofstra’s candidates for the past eight years and worked with them to prepare their materials,” said Dr. Scott Lefurgy, Collado’s mentor and advisor here at Hofstra,  “All were certainly deserving of recognition, and Hofstra has been fortunate to have two recipients during that time.”

The Goldwater Scholarship Program, founded in 1986, provides national scholarships to aid STEM undergraduates in seeking, encouraging and financially supporting the nation’s next generation of research leaders. According to the program website, they seek students who have a “strong commitment to a research career in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, effective display of intellectual intensity in the sciences, mathematics and engineering and potential for a significant future contribution to research in their chosen field.” 

The scholarships this foundation provides are intended for students who plan to pursue research careers in STEM.

Being a biochemistry major in itself is not easy. However, during Collado’s three years here at Hofstra, he did more than just attend class. He has taken organic chemistry, he helped peer-teach the course, worked in the chemical stockroom and tutored organic chemistry all while taking 15 credits of courses. With the help of Dr. Lefurgy, Collado researched the antibiotic resistance from the excessive use and misuse of antibiotics. He owes it to the ability to start his research in his first year that allowed him to receive this honor.

Lefurgy, a previous Goldwater Scholar himself, had recommended Collado to apply for this program. Throughout the process, Lefurgy helped Antonio with walking him through the application, revising his research essays and advised him what to say and what not to say.

“Antonio has all the qualities one could hope for in a researcher: industrious, self-aware, whip-smart, and collaborative,” Lefurgy said, “He will be a huge asset to the laboratory that is able to recruit him for his graduate studies, as he has been to mine.”

Faculty are very proud of Antonio and have nothing but great things to say about not only his academic performance, but about his humanity. Dean William Nirode oversees the school of chemistry and physics at Hofstra University.

 “For Antonio to receive this award is quite the remarkable achievement. As good of a student Antonio is in the classroom and in doing undergraduate research, he is an even better person,” said Nirode. “Antonio is one of the nicest, pleasant and respectful students I have ever met. He is truly deserving of this award and it will open up so many doors for him in the years to come. We all are very proud of him.”

Collado praised involvement in extra curricular research when it comes to being successful not just in the biochemistry field, but any STEM field.

“You would have to put in the work if you’re passionate about biochemistry and you see it as something that’s interesting,” said Collado, “you would put in the work especially and try to get good at the concepts and everything…you can’t memorize magic and organic chemistry is kind of like math.”