Georgia Senior Wins Churchill Scholarship

Kate Rojales, a Baylor senior chemistry major from Milton, Georgia, is one of 18 recipients of the prestigious Churchill Scholarship in mathematics, science and engineering, awarded annually by the Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States. Rojales, who conducts undergraduate research in inorganic chemistry, is Baylor’s second Churchill Scholar in the University’s two years as a participating institution in the program.

“I am excited to explore bioinorganic chemistry for the first time, bridging my research interests in proteins and transition metal complexes before my Ph.D.,” Rojales said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct research in a world-class institution, immerse myself in a new culture and meet, live and work alongside people from around the world.”

The Churchill Scholarship provides funding to American students for a year of master’s degree study at Churchill College of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Established at the request of Sir Winston Churchill, the program fulfills his vision of U.S.-U.K. scientific exchange with the goal of advancing science and technology on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to ensure future prosperity and security.

This year, the Churchill Foundation received 125 nominations from 80 participating institutions, one of the largest nomination pools in the competition’s history. The scholarship covers full tuition and travel costs and includes a stipend. Recipients also have the opportunity to apply for a $2,000 special research grant at Cambridge.

Rojales will pursue a Master of Philosophy in chemistry with a project focused on the synthesis and reactivity of novel artificial metalloenzymes under Cambridge associate professor Paul Barker, Ph.D., and teaching fellow in organic chemistry Sally Boss, Ph.D.