Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science seniors Favyen Bastani and Amanda Quay were named 2012 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, and TAMS senior Mitchell Powell was among seven Texas students to receive honorable mention in the prestigious scholarship competition for students planning careers in mathematics, science and engineering. Scholars receive a maximum of $7,500 each year for one or two years to cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board. No university may nominate more than four students per year. With 50 scholars, UNT leads Texas universities in the number of students awarded Goldwater Scholarships.
Bastani is focused on studying algorithms to solve complex optimization problems. He worked with Yan Huang, associate professor of computer science and engineering, in the UNT Computer Science Laboratory. Quay studies pharmaceutical waste and compounds in aquatic environments and worked in the analytical chemistry group of William Acree, professor of chemistry. Powell worked with Angela Wilson, Regents Professor of chemistry, on quantum mechanical studies of relevance to consumer electronics and clean energy technologies.