Ashe Davis, a junior Honors College student at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering and a native of Ocean Springs, has been awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate honors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Davis is the 30th Southern Miss student to receive the award, which recognizes sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise as future researchers in STEM fields. She was selected from a pool of approximately 5,000 applicants nationwide.
“Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is genuinely something I never considered for myself. Now, I represent USM as a Goldwater Scholar, knowing that I achieved something that I never thought would be possible. It serves as a lesson to myself that there are no limitations to what I can achieve,” said Davis.
The scholarship requires nomination by a faculty mentor and a rigorous application process that includes essays and letters of recommendation. Davis was nominated by her research mentor, Dr. Tristan Clemons, a professor in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering.
“We are very proud of Ashe and all her achievements. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to provide an environment that allows students to see their potential and then go after it. Ashe has grabbed that opportunity with both hands,” said Clemons.
Davis has conducted research since her freshman year and has earned additional recognition for her work. In 2025, she became one of the university’s and the state’s first Beckman Scholars, one of the nation’s premier undergraduate research programs in STEM. She also recently co-authored a publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, one of the world’s most cited and respected scientific journals.
“I believe this early and continued research experience has significantly contributed to my preparation for receiving the Goldwater Scholarship. My strong research background, developed through the Beckman Scholars Program and other opportunities provided by Dr. Clemons, helped my application stand out to the Goldwater committee,” said Davis.
After completing her bachelor’s degree, Davis plans to attend graduate school to study materials science, with a focus on dental composite materials aimed at advancing dental practice.
“The Goldwater Scholarship is nationally recognized and automatically tells graduate schools and employers that Ashe is a student with a proven commitment to excellence in research and in STEM,” said Mary Beard, director of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards.
The Goldwater Scholarship Program, established by Congress in honor of former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, supports students pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
Faculty interested in nominating students for the next cycle of Goldwater Scholarships can contact Mary Beard, director of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards, at NCPA@usm.edu for more information.
