Newcomb-Tulane College Student Wins Prestigious 2023 Goldwater Scholarship
In a remarkable feat of determination and perseverance, Ki Finch (’24), a first-generation college student, has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. The scholarship is a highly competitive national award that recognizes outstanding undergraduate researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This outstanding accomplishment is not only a personal victory for Finch, but it also serves as a beacon of hope for other students facing similar challenges, showcasing that with hard work, passion, and resilience, one can overcome adversity and achieve success.
Hailing from the small town of Independence, Louisiana, Ki Finch’s journey to winning the Goldwater Scholarship was not an easy one. Growing up in a low-income household, Finch faced financial constraints, limited access to educational resources, and a lack of guidance on navigating the complex world of higher education. However, his unwavering enthusiasm for science drove him to overcome these challenges and forge his own path.
With the support of his teachers, mentors, and community, Finch’s academic journey led him to Tulane University, becoming the first person in his family to attend college. However, this transition was not without difficulty, as he had to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of higher education by himself and adapt to his new surroundings.
Despite these challenges, Finch’s academic excellence and research prowess shone through. He excels in his coursework and conducts cutting-edge biochemical and pharmaceutical research on protein crystals, and the ways in which different compounds bind protein within the crystal. Large industrial pharmaceutical labs have a nearly endless budget for this type of work, but smaller, academic labs are increasingly hindered by budget cuts and the rising costs of producing these compounds. Finch’s research could change the academic pharmaceutical research world: being able to quickly and cheaply identify which compounds bind which proteins would lower the cost of academic pharmaceutical research significantly, which in turn means that research becomes more accessible to more scientists due to the lower financial barrier.
After a rigorous selection process that included evaluating his research accomplishments, leadership skills, and commitment to STEM fields, Finch was overjoyed to learn that he had been selected as one of the recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship. “Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship has been thrilling,” said Finch. “Being recognized by the Goldwater Scholarship Committee has helped to reassure me in my pursuits as a scientist. My long-term plans are to obtain a PhD in Pharmacology, pursue a job in the Pharmaceutical Industry, and teach pharmacology on the side.”
Finch’s success has had a profound impact not only on his own life but also on his family, community, and future generations of students facing similar challenges. His story serves as an inspiration to other first-generation college students from low-income families, showing them that with grit, resilience, and the support of mentors and communities, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success in STEM fields. Finch’s journey exemplifies the power of education as a tool for social mobility and underscores the importance of creating equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background.
