Jessica Benson, an Honors Tutorial College Student and Engineering Physics Major at Ohio University was named Barry M. Goldwater Scholar for the 2003-04 school year. Goldwater Scholarships are awarded through a national competition to college sophomores and juniors majoring in science, engineering and mathematics, Selection is based on academic achievement and future potential.

Benson is currently involved in a research project on electric properties of organic molecules with Prof. Saw-Wai Hla. She will study electronic, mechanical and chemical properties of nanometer sized organic molecules on silver and copper surfaces. In her future she plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in bioengineerging and biophysics research. She hopes to conduct research in biological processes such as photosynthesis, tissue growth and cell signaling, as well as creating mechanisms that improve lives, are environmentially conscious, and will lead to innovative engineering applications. [April 2003]