Jennifer Pratt '03

April 3, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—Jennifer C. Pratt, a William Smith junior, was chosen to be a 2002 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar. Pratt is the second student in the past three years from Hobart and William Smith Colleges to be selected for one of the nation’s top undergraduate science scholarships.

The award recognizes Pratt’s academic achievements as well as the undergraduate research that she’s performed in the laboratory of Professor Carol Parish. Pratt is conducting research on the molecular modeling of HIV protease inhibitors. The research helps to understand the molecular behavior of drug molecules and will ultimately explain why some drugs are more effective than others in treating HIV and AIDS.

Dr. Hans Mark, chairman of the board of trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, announced the trustees awarded 309 scholarships for the 2002-03 academic year from a pool of 1,155 students. The scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

Pratt, of Rochester, is a biochemistry major who intends to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry or biology and work for the forensic science division of a government agency. She is a member of the William Smith cross country team, and the recipient of the Helen Millerd Baer ’18 Scholarship, the Phi Beta Kappa Book Prize, the Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Organic Chemistry, and the Chemical Rubber Company First-year Chemistry Achievement Award. She will present the results of her research at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston in August.

She is the daughter of Thomas and Cheryl Pratt of Rochester.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.

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