Three Temple students received the prestigious award, continuing a record-setting two-year streak for the university.

As an R1 research institution, Temple University offers students the opportunity to work alongside leading scholars across disciplines, contributing to research with real-world impact. That commitment was on full display earlier this month, when three Temple students were named 2026–2027 Goldwater Scholars, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduates in STEM fields. 

The recognition continues a historic run for the university. For the second consecutive year, Temple has produced three Goldwater Scholars, marking the first time it has achieved back-to-back cohorts of this size and bringing its two-year total to six. Last year’s class also set a university record for the most recipients in a single cycle. 

“The Goldwater signals that, at an early stage in their academic career, a student has already been recognized for the research they’ve done and the research they’re capable of doing,” said Barbara Gorka, director of scholar development and fellowships advising at Temple. 

Now in its 40th year, the Goldwater Scholarship supports outstanding sophomores and juniors pursuing careers in science, engineering and mathematics. This year, 454 students were selected nationwide. Temple’s honorees join peers from institutions including Swarthmore College, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, to name a few. 

Temple’s 2026–2027 scholars represent a range of research interests, from ecology to neuroscience to computer science, and are deeply engaged in leadership and service across campus. Together, their stories reflect not only individual drive but also the ecosystem that helps make that success possible.  

 “It’s a community,” Gorka said. “It’s faculty, principal investigators, graduate students and peers all supporting these students. We’re here to see our students succeed.” 

Meet this year’s scholars:

Jack Brownfield, Class of 2027 

For Jack Brownfield, a junior majoring in evolution, ecology and biodiversity at Temple’s College of Science and Technology (CST), the path to becoming a Goldwater Scholar started with a simple goal: get into research as early as possible. At Temple, he was able to do just that—launching into hands-on work as a first-year student and never looking back. 

“I knew coming out of high school that the main thing I wanted to do in college was research,” Brownfield said. “Seeing that I could start as a first-year at Temple was a huge factor for me.” 

Since then, Brownfield has immersed himself in field-based ecological research at Temple’s Ambler Campus, where he studies how ecosystems respond to environmental disruption. His Goldwater-recognized project focuses on a forest impacted by a rare tornado in 2021, an event that created new, temporary freshwater habitats known as ephemeral pools or small ponds.  

By tracking these pools over time, Brownfield examines how ecosystems form and stabilize in the wake of climate-driven disturbances. The work offers insight into how species interact, compete and coexist in rapidly changing environments—questions that are becoming increasingly urgent as extreme weather events become more common. 

“It’s like watching an ecosystem form in real time,” he said. “You don’t usually get to see that process, especially in response to a disaster.” 

Brownfield credits Temple’s strong research infrastructure and mentorship from faculty like Biology Professor Mariana Bonfim with helping him grow as a scientist. Through multiple university-funded research programs, he has been able to pursue his work consistently since his first year. 

After graduation, he plans to continue his research through a PhD program, with the goal of advancing work in freshwater and forest ecology. 

Ranesh Mopuru, Class of 2027 

A deep curiosity about how the brain shapes behavior and how early-life experiences can have lasting effects drives Ranesh Mopuru, a junior neuroscience major in Temple’s College of Liberal Arts. 

Originally from Washington, D.C., Mopuru spent part of his upbringing in Bangalore, India, before returning to the United States for college. His interest in neuroscience began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he volunteered at a psychiatric hospital and observed patients experiencing unexpected psychological symptoms following infection. That experience sparked a lasting fascination with the connection between the immune system and mental health. 

At Temple, Mopuru quickly found his footing in research, joining a lab led by psychology Professor Lauren Ellman in his first year. There, he studies how prenatal inflammation during pregnancy can influence brain development and behavior later in life. His Goldwater-recognized project explores how these early biological factors are linked to long-term changes in brain structure, findings that can still be observed more than 60 years after birth.  

“It’s really motivating to know that people believe in the science I’m pursuing,” Mopuru said. “It’s like a stamp of approval on the work that I do.” 

In addition to his work in Ellman’s lab, Mopuru conducts cognitive neuroscience research in a second lab led by Psychology Professor Ingrid Olson, where he studies reward systems in the brain, particularly how dopamine influences motivation, memory and behavior. Together, these experiences allow him to approach neuroscience questions from multiple perspectives. 

Mopuru credits Temple’s collaborative environment and strong mentorship network for shaping his path. Looking ahead, he plans to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, with the long-term goal of leading his own lab and mentoring the next generation of scientists. 

Kush Patel, Class of 2027 

For Kush Patel, a junior computer science major in Temple’s College of Science and Technology (CST), the path to becoming a Goldwater Scholar has been defined by curiosity, persistence and a growing passion for research. 

A Philadelphia native and graduate of Central High School, Patel began exploring research early, joining Temple’s Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Lab the summer after his first year, where he worked under the guidance of Stephen MacNeil, director of the lab and an assistant professor of computer and information sciences in CST. What started as an introduction to research quickly evolved into a focused interest in how students interact with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. 

His Goldwater-recognized work examines how large language models—AI systems that can understand and generate human language—shape learning in computer science education, exploring how different types of AI-generated explanations impact student understanding. As AI tools become more integrated into classrooms, Patel’s research tackles timely questions about their role in skill development and long-term learning. 

“With so many students using AI tools now, I wanted to understand how they actually impact learning,” Patel said. “It made me realize that this research matters now more than ever.” 

Patel’s journey to the scholarship wasn’t immediate. After applying unsuccessfully as a sophomore, he used the experience to refine his research, publish multiple projects and present at his first academic conference, strengthening both his work and his sense of purpose. 

Beyond the lab, Patel is deeply involved on campus. He serves as president of Temple’s chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, director of OwlHacks and an undergraduate research lead in the HCI Lab while also mentoring students and working within the Honors Program. 

He credits mentors like faculty advisor Steven MacNeil, assistant professor in CST, for helping him see research as a long-term path. After graduation, Patel plans to pursue a PhD and continue exploring how technology can better support student learning.