Q&A: Goldwater Winner Mitch Biermann

CBS sophomore Mitch Biermann was recently awarded a 2009 Goldwater Scholarship, widely considered the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the United Stated for students studying the sciences. He works with Associate Professor Hiroshi Matsuo on the structural biology of HIV and with Associate Dean Robin Wright on cold-resistant fungi.

Q: Were you surprised by the news that you had won a Goldwater Scholarship?

A: When I applied originally I thought maybe I would get lucky. But then Sally Lieberman with the University Honors Program worked with me to make the application really good, and that boosted my confidence.

Q: What does winning an award that goes to such a select group of science undergraduates mean to you?

A: Winning the scholarship was really an affirmation that I’m doing the right thing and going down the right road. It’s a pretty incredible stepping stone.

Q: What inspired you to major in biology in the first place?

A: I care a lot about treating diseases and doing research that helps people live longer, maybe even in the hope of living forever. Biology research is the only way to do that.

Q: What set you apart from an applicant pool full of undergraduates with perfect GPAs?

A: You have to get involved in undergraduate research early. I started toward the end of my freshman year. I was involved in two labs. A lot depends on how long you’ve done something, how much you have to report.

Q: What are you future plans?

A: I like the idea of an M.D./Ph.D. I’m especially interested in applied research that addresses disease such as HIV and pathogens in general.