"I was speechless when I opened the email, and the first word was congratulations. Not only am I a first-generation college student, but I also come from a low-income family, so I knew that graduate school was going to be expensive and that I was going to need to figure it out myself. I cried when I found out I had been awarded and I really feel like this a sign that I am pursuing what I was meant to pursue," Madison Glenwinkel said.
These words encapsulate the profound journey of Madison Glenwinkel, a student and young scientist in the College of Liberal Arts, about the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) award.
Glenwinkel found inspiration in the laboratory, where a National Undergraduate Research Award (NURA) provided the opportunity to delve into the study of western fence lizards. Drawing from principles learned in the lab, she crafted a research question that formed the cornerstone of her successful NSF-GRFP proposal.
Reflecting on her undergraduate journey at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a major in anthropology and a minor in biology, she acknowledges the pivotal role of undergraduate research opportunities in shaping her academic trajectory. Exploring diverse fields, she discovered her passion for anthropology and the innate curiosity that drives scientific inquiry.
"I have always known that I wanted to be a scientist ever since I was a little kid. I don't know where I got it from since neither of my parents or close family members do anything remotely similar, but I've just always known that it is something I wanted to do," Glenwinkel said.
This unwavering determination led Glenwinkel to embrace the challenges of graduate school and the NSF-GRFP application process. Recognizing the importance of coding and statistics in modern research, she honed her skills to tackle complex data analysis tasks, exemplifying the interdisciplinary nature of scientific inquiry.
"My NSF-GFRP proposal, 'Using Computed Tomography (CT) Scans to Evaluate how Nonmetric Cranial Traits are Impacted by Socioeconomic Status,' focused in the field of forensic anthropology, which is a subfield of biological anthropology," Glenwinkel said.
With an eye toward the future, Glenwinkel eagerly anticipates the next chapter of her academic journey at Texas State University, where she will pursue a master's degree in biological anthropology. Armed with a passion for discovery and a commitment to mentorship, Glenwinkel looks forward to inspiring future generations of scientists and fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation in academia.
As she prepares to embark on this new adventure, her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream.
