Natalie Rawlings Wins 2025-26 Goldwater Scholarship

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Natalie Rawlings, a rising senior at the W.A. Franke Honors College pursuing degrees in both Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biochemistry, has been selected as a 2025-26 Goldwater Scholar. 

She is one of the 441 Goldwater award recipients from colleges across the United States for the 2025-26 academic year. The Goldwater scholarship is awarded to outstanding students pursuing research-oriented careers in disciplines such as natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, and provides awardees with funds to cover cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per full academic year. 

Rawlings was nominated for the award by a University of Arizona committee, through a process supported by the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS). ONCS is dedicated to assisting all U of A students in pursuing prestigious external awards, typically funded by esteemed foundations or government agencies.

Since joining the Capaldi Lab in her first semester, Rawlings has been studying TORC1/mTOR, a major metabolic regulator in all eukaryotes that is important in aging and diseases such as cancer and epilepsy. The lab is overseen by Dr. Andrew Capaldi, a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

"I hope to apply the molecular-level thinking I've gained in my lab research to the clinic as a future physician-scientist," said Rawlings. Her goals include developing and optimizing therapeutics for patients with limited options and rare diseases. 

Outside of the lab, Rawlings has founded the Undergraduate Journal Club to foster scientific communication and inspire undergraduates to engage with research, and has also contributed to health and wellness initiatives as a Lead WellCat and Lead Peer Counselor with Campus Health. Outside of her studies, she loves being outdoors and checking out live music in downtown Tucson.

In addition to the Goldwater Scholarship, Rawlings is also a recipient of the 2025-26 Astronaut Scholarship, which is one of the largest merit based scholarships awarded to STEM undergraduates in the United States.