April 1, 2009

Aaron Neal. Download image.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) junior Aaron Thomas Neal, 20, of Huntsville, has been selected as a 2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar. Neal is the ninth UAB student to receive the Goldwater scholarship.

Goldwater Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit. One- and two-year Goldwater scholarships cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year.

Neal, a student in the UAB Science and Technology Honors Program, is majoring in chemistry and biology. He has a 3.8 grade point average. In 2008, he co-authored a paper in the journal American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 6 as a blood stage vaccine candidate. He also has presented research at local, regional and national science conferences. After graduation, Neal plans to enter an M.D./Ph.D., program and pursue a career in research. He is the son of David and Michelle Neal of Huntsville.

UAB mathematics major Luke Stannard, 21, of Birmingham (35242), received an honorable mention. Stannard is a student in the University Honors Program. He is the son of James and Carolyn Stannard of Birmingham.

This year's 278 scholars were selected from a field of 1,097 mathematics, science and engineering students nominated from colleges and universities nationwide. Recent Goldwater Scholars have been awarded 73 Rhodes scholarships and 102 Marshall awards. Neal is one of five Alabama residents selected to receive the award this year.