Chippewa Valley Times

Rachel Horejsi, a third-year double major in microbiology and bioinformatics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, was named a 2025 Goldwater Scholar, with significant appreciation for her supportive community. Horejsi, originally from Ellendale, Minnesota, acknowledges the invaluable encouragement from her peers and mentors, stating, “The application and Goldwater announcement experiences have shown me just how many people are rooting for me to succeed, and how much support has been built around me here.”

Recognizing her as one of three UW-Eau Claire students awarded this honor, Horejsi is in distinguished company. Her fellow recipients include Thomas Benning, a chemistry major from Brookfield, and Jada Wahl, a biology major with an emphasis on ecology from Holmen. The Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national award, recognizes outstanding second- and third-year STEM students, granting them $7,500 for the 2025-26 academic year. These three Blugolds are among a select seven from the Universities of Wisconsin to receive the award.

Dr. Erica Benson, the executive director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, praises the achievement, saying, “The recognition of three UWEC students is a testament to the high quality, enriching research experiences that faculty offer students, and the exceptional caliber of the students engaging in collaborative student-faculty research.”

Horejsi's affinity for research became apparent in her first biology course with Assistant Professor Dr. Nic Wheeler. She joined a project examining a parasitic flatworm impacting global populations, focusing on finding disease prevention methods. Describing her research experience, Horejsi remarked, “Joining an existing research project is a lot like joining a conversation — we all play a role in steering the conversation.” Dr. Wheeler recognized Horejsi’s potential early on, commenting, “Rachel just loves biology so much, a love that I could see in lab and office hours in that first class.”

Aspiring to pursue an M.D./Ph.D., Horejsi aims to focus on molecular diagnostics, bridging the gap between clinical and research fields. “What really excites me is the area of molecular diagnostics,” she shared. Wheeler confirmed this aspiration fits Horejsi’s interests, highlighting her dedication to equity and justice in healthcare.

Overall, Horejsi reflects on the impact of receiving the Goldwater Scholarship and the support she received, saying, “Being selected as a Goldwater Scholar has shaped my thinking about myself and my experiences. It is evidence that I really do have what it takes to do hard things, specifically in this field.”