MassBay Student Named 2017 Goldwater Scholar

WELLESLEY, MA – A biotechnology student at Massachusetts Bay Community College has been named a 2017 Goldwater Scholar, the highest national undergraduate prize for science, mathematics and engineering. Bernard Brown is one of two community college students nationwide to receive the honor from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Foundation, which also recognizes research powerhouses like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University.

Brown has been researching the venom of the Caribbean Red Lionfish to study how to separate, purify and analyze the toxins in the venom. He previously worked on a collaborative research project between MassBay and Olaf Pharmaceuticals in Worcester, exploring 3D tissue models of the blood-brain barrier.

Brown counts the late Dr. Bruce Jackson among his mentors. Jackson, who died in November, was a highly regarded professor at MassBay who helped mentor several of the school's 22 Goldwater Scholars.

"Bernard Brown exemplifies the power of scientific inquiry and the importance of research based education," said MassBay President Dr. David Podell said in a statement. "This is not only an enormous personal distinction for Bernard, but also for us as a community, particularly as we mourn the loss of Dr. Bruce Jackson, who was a stalwart mentor to Bernard and our students. Bernard follows a long line of distinguished Goldwater Scholars from MassBay, and Dr. Jackson's legacy will surely live on through Bernard and his continuing scholarship."

Brown has served as a peer mentor, tutor and teaching assistant for students in the biotechnology program and participated in the 2014-15 STEM Mentor Program, working with a principal scientist at Genzyme. Two years ago, he received an honorable mention at the MassBay Leadership Awards ceremony.

"Being selected as a Goldwater Scholar is an incredible honor and it will support my chosen career path as a research scientist," said Brown. "This validates my love of fundamental science and rewards my academic research I have accomplished as an undergraduate. I am excited that my career will be contributing to the understanding and protection of biological systems."

Brown will pursue a doctorate in Molecular Biology and continue to work with the filtering mechanisms that govern the blood-brain barrier.

Photo submitted by MassBay