Three South Students Named Goldwater Scholars
Posted on April 1, 2026
Three students from the University of South Alabama have been named 2026 Goldwater Scholars, an honor recognizing outstanding undergraduate researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
This year’s recipients are Bailey Baxter, Cambridge Cooper and Anya Powell. The students are three of just 11 honorees statewide and a national class of 454. Recipients were chosen from 1,485 eligible sophomores and juniors nominated by 482 academic institutions. South was tied for the most in Alabama.
The 2026 class places the total number of Goldwater scholars from the University of South Alabama at 20.
Founded in 1986 in honor of then-Sen. Barry Goldwater, the Goldwater Scholarship is widely considered one of the most prestigious undergraduate awards in STEM. It provides scholars up to $7,500 annually toward tuition, room and board, books and fees, covering two years for sophomores and one year for juniors.
Bailey Baxter, an Honors College student from Mobile, discovered her passion for research in high school while participating in the Mobile Regional Science Fair. She began her organic chemistry research under Dr. David Forbes, her current mentor and a professor of chemistry, and credits the supportive lab environment for inspiring her to pursue opportunities such as conference presentations and the Goldwater Scholarship.
Now a double major in biomedical sciences and chemistry, Baxter’s research focuses on designing small-molecule inhibitors for protein phosphatase 5, an enzyme over-expressed in certain cancers. Her work spans from synthesis to final testing in the lab of Dr. Richard Honkanen, professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and will soon take her on a ten-week research experience at the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules in Nagoya, Japan.
Looking ahead, Baxter’s goal is to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry and establish a research lab focused on designing small-molecule inhibitors targeting cancer-relevant enzymes. “I want to be an effective translator between the bench and the bedside, allowing me to treat my own patients while solving a problem for thousands of others,” she said.
Anya Powell, a junior majoring in biology, was born and raised in Mobile. Driven by a desire to make a difference for animals that tend to be understudied, she recently conducted independent research through South’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program, investigating how light pollution may be affecting Atlantic ghost crabs.
“When I presented my research, someone asked me, ‘What is the point in understanding if pollution is affecting such a small aspect of one species?’” said Powell. “I explained how all the ‘little’ studies add up to the big picture of conservation — and the chance to make even a small difference for our wildlife and ecosystem is exactly what motivates me.”
She credits her mentors, Dr. Jeremiah Henning, associate professor of biology, Dr. Jason Strickland, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Jonathan Pérez, assistant professor of biology, for not only having helped her grow academically but also as a person. “I would not be where I am without the mentorship I have received from each of them.”
Cambridge Cooper, Biloxi native and junior in biomedical sciences, is working toward becoming a physician-scientist. The Honors College student’s research journey began under the mentorship of Dr. Dhananjay Tambe, associate professor of biomedical engineering, who encouraged him to approach engineering as a complementary tool to medicine. “I became interested in designing solutions that are not only scientifically sound, but also feasible within the constraints of clinical care,” said Cooper.
This perspective was further shaped by his study abroad experience in Kenya, where the physicians he worked with were often limited by their resources: “In rural settings especially,” he said. “I observed clinicians finding innovative ways to extend what they had, reinforcing the idea that impactful solutions must be adaptable, efficient and grounded in the realities of patient care.”
One project Cooper is particularly proud of is developing a low-cost monitoring system that uses thermal and distance sensors to track when patients need repositioning to reduce pressure injuries. “Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship represents both recognition of my work and encouragement to continue pursuing research that bridges science, medicine and public health to improve patient outcomes,” said Cooper.
