Owen Black, a second-year student in the IU Bloomington Biology department and a Herbert Presidential Scholar, was awarded a national Goldwater Scholarship, given to students pursuing research careers in science, math, or engineering. He was one of 454 recipients for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Goldwater Scholarship “is an extraordinary accomplishment for an early career scientist,” said Armin Moczek, IU Department of Biology professor and chair. The award supports the next generation of research leaders financially and by recognizing excellent work.
Owen Black is a member of the 2024 Class of Herbert Presidential Scholars, and he is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. What follows is an interview with Owen about his experience at IU thus far and what the Goldwater Scholarship means to him.
What does receiving the Goldwater Scholarship mean to you personally and academically?
Personally, the Goldwater Scholarship is a validation of the effort my mentors and I have put in the last two years, emphasizing the impact we are making, and could make in the future. It's given me even more motivation to continue this work in the coming years, as I know just how impactful it can be. Academically, this award will be a significant contributor to my future graduate school applications, as my commitment to research and dedication to classes will already be evident.
How has the Herbert Presidential Scholars Program supported you during your time at IU, especially as you pursued research and national scholarship opportunities?
The Herbert Presidential Scholars Program has supported me throughout the last two years at countless amazing events. These events always allow for socialization, which has led to great conversations and allowed me to meet several like-minded peers, while also helping make complicated processes seem easy, like studying abroad. The program also offers research grants, which go to undergraduate students doing important work, who wouldn't be able to continue without the program's financial support.
What kinds of experiences or relationships at IU have had the biggest impact on your growth as a student and researcher?
I am in this position now because of the amazing people that surround me. My mentor during my freshman year was Tyler Frailie, a graduate student at IU. He introduced me to research and showed me how impactful his everyday work could be. This work led to a summer internship at Meyers Lab in UC Davis, which demonstrated how amazing research could be. I was able to carry out my own projects and ask my own questions, while getting personalized help from amazing mentors: Ryan DelPercio, Ang-Yu Liu, and Patricia Baldrich. This past year I've taken what I've learned there and put it to use with my current mentor, Meenu Singla-Rastogi (postdoc), who's taught me so much about how to run your own project and present your findings. Throughout it all, Roger Innes, the PI of the lab, has supported me since the day I joined, providing me with amazing opportunities like the internship, and showing me how an ideal lab should be run. As you can see, I have a massive support group that has shown me kindness and support, and without their help I wouldn't be even close to where I am today.
What has surprised you most about doing research at IU?
The most surprising thing my research at IU has shown me is that the big discoveries aren't typically the result of one illuminating day, rather than the culmination of months and months of work, feedback, and dedication. I think it's more important to have a mentality of perseverance and optimism than to be a genius when it comes to succeeding in this field, which is something I never would have guessed before my work.
Outside of academics and research, what other activities do you find most fulfilling?
Outside of academics, travel and relationships are the most fulfilling areas of my life. Since coming to college, I've made it a goal to see as much of the world as I can, which has become a decision that's changed my life. The world is beautiful, but it takes seeing some of these places in person to put it into perspective. Along with the scenery, the people you can meet make the trip as well. Experiencing new cultures and meeting people with different perspectives widens yours like nothing else. Other people make life so much better. On campus, I try to spend every second of my time with other people, whether it's playing volleyball, watching movies, or even studying together. The people I've met and gotten close to make my life so much more meaningful than it ever could be without them.
You can read more about Owen’s research on the Department of Biology website.