Phuc Huynh, a junior at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, was named a recipient of the Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards available to undergraduate students.
The scholarship provides up to $7,500 in funding to sophomore and junior students majoring in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering who plan to pursue a career in research. Out of 1,081 applicants nationwide, 323 students were awarded Goldwater scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year.
Huynh is an electrical engineering major with a grade point average of just under 3.9. A recipient of the Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarship, he already has extensive research experience through his work with Ji Chen, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.
“We’re modeling an infrared bandpass filter,” Huynh said. “You can use that filter to increase the efficiency of converting thermal energy to electrical energy.”
Huynh cited his work with Chen as one of the primary reasons he received the scholarship. In addition, he thanked a number of professors for their assistance, including Betty Barr, Valery Kalatsky and David Shattuck, as well as the staff of the Office of Undergraduate Research at The Honors College, which assisted him in refining his application.
After graduation, Huynh plans to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. He hopes then to attain a position at a university where he can teach and conduct research.