GPC student Sheena Vasquez completed a 10-week research internship at the Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research in 2014. (photo by Bill Roa)

Georgia Perimeter College chemistry major Sheena Vasquez has been awarded the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship.

Vasquez, who graduates this spring from GPC, was one of just four college students in Georgia and 260 undergraduates nationwide to receive the scholarship. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

An honor student and STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) scholar, Vasquez completed a 10-week research internship at the Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research in 2014. The research institute is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During that research, she worked with some of the nation’s top research scientists to explore Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, an enzyme associated with plant color.

The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,206 mathematics, science, and engineering students nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate.

The foundation’s purpose is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.

Since its first award in 1989, the foundation has bestowed 7,428 scholarships worth approximately $48 million.