UC Riverside sophomore and physics major Inchara Jagadeesh has been named a 2026 Goldwater Scholar, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduate researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Selected from a highly competitive national pool of 1,485 nominees representing 482 institutions, Jagadeesh is among 454 students awarded the scholarship this year. As a Goldwater Scholar selected during her sophomore year, she will receive $7,500 annually for two years, an achievement underscoring her academic excellence and research potential. Her selection brings the total number of UCR Goldwater Scholars to 20.
Jagadeesh conducts cosmology research in the lab of Steve Choi as part of the Center for Experimental Cosmology and Instrumentation, where researchers develop advanced detectors to probe the origins and composition of the universe.
“Inchara has been involved in building a detector characterization testbed in a new lab and analyzing data from kinetic inductance detectors,” said Choi, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy. “I have been impressed by how quickly she has contributed to improving our measurements while continuing to challenge herself academically, including by enrolling in graduate courses.”
Since joining Choi’s lab in November 2024, Jagadeesh has focused on measuring the sensitivity of detectors used to map the cosmic microwave background as part of the Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope (CCAT) Collaboration.
“Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is a meaningful step towards my goal of pursuing a career in academic research,” Jagadeesh said. “It will allow me to dedicate more time to my research, and I hope that it will open doors to graduate programs where I can continue to grow as a researcher. I plan to earn a doctoral degree in cosmology and continue my path into instrumentation. I want to understand the formation and evolution of the universe as part of the CCAT Collaboration.”
Gladis Herrera-Berkowitz, director of UCR's Center for Undergraduate Research & Engaged Learning, highlighted Jagadeesh’s strengths throughout the rigorous selection process.
“The Goldwater application process offers students an opportunity to reflect deeply on their research experiences and long-term academic and professional goals,” Herrera-Berkowitz said. “During her campus interview, Inchara’s thoughtful reflections demonstrated a strong capacity for independent inquiry, effective problem-solving, and an awareness of when collaboration and teamwork are essential. These qualities underscore her maturity as a researcher and her ability to advance scientific inquiry, which Goldwater seeks in its scholars.”
Established by Congress in 1986, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation supports outstanding undergraduates pursuing research careers in STEM fields. Recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship often go on to earn fellowships such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Hertz Fellowship, and Marshall Scholarship.