News Release

3 UAB students awarded prestigious Goldwater scholarships

Grant and Award Announcement

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Shweta Naran Patel, University of Alabama at Birmingham

image: Shweta Naran Patel, 21, is a junior majoring in molecular biology. Patel is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., investigating the role of natural compounds in breast-cancer prevention. view more 

Credit: UAB/Steve Wood

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have been named 2010 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Atbin Doroodchi, 20, is a sophomore pursuing a double major in Biology and Mathematics. He has a 3.95 grade-point average and is a member of the Science and Technology Honors Program. Doroodchi is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Yuqing Li, Ph.D., investigating the BTBD9 gene's relationship to restless leg syndrome. His also is president of the UAB Undergraduate Research Association. Doroodchi is the son of Hamidreza and Akhtarossadat (Fariba) Doroodchi of Homewood.

Shweta Naran Patel, 21, is a junior majoring in molecular biology. She has a 4.0 grade-point average and is a member of the University Honors Program. Patel is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., investigating the role of natural compounds in breast-cancer prevention. She also is co-editor of UAB's undergraduate research journal Inquiro. Patel is the daughter of Naran and Kusum Patel of Forestdale.

Tamara Michelle Burleson, 20, is a junior majoring in Chemistry. She has a 4.0 grade-point average and is a Supplemental Instruction leader. Burleson is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Christopher Willey, M.D., investigating the links between specific proteins and radiation treatment effectiveness. She is the daughter of Keith and Denita Burleson of Red Bay.

Burleson, Doroodchi and Patel become the 10th, 11th and 12th UAB students to win Goldwater scholarships. They are three of the five Alabama residents to win the award this year.

Goldwater Scholars are nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities and are selected on the basis of academic merit. There were 278 Goldwater awards granted in 2010. One- and two-year Goldwater scholarships cover tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 per year.

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About UAB

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center and the state of Alabama's largest employer. Click here to learn more about applying to UAB.

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