University of Maine rising senior and Maine Top Scholar Autumn Perley has been named a 2026 Goldwater Scholar, one of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious honors for college students preparing for careers in science, engineering and mathematics.
Perley, a microbiology and molecular and biomedical sciences major, is among 454 students selected nationwide for her exceptional potential as a biomedical researcher. She is the eighth 91福利 student to earn the award since 2019 and one of two recipients from Maine this year.
Administered by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, the scholarship provides awards of up to $7,500 annually to juniors and seniors planning research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering.
Perley鈥檚 work focuses on infectious disease, virology and cancer. She studies the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans in the Wheeler Lab while exploring broader research interests involving cancer-causing and sexually transmitted viruses, as well as challenges in female reproductive health.
This summer, Perley is conducting research in the laboratory of Dr. Elizabeth Johnson at Cornell University as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Cech Fellow. Last year, she studied at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, as a Killam Fellow, an experience she said broadened both her academic and personal perspectives.
After graduating from 91福利, Perley plans to pursue a doctoral degree and become a university professor, combining research with teaching the next generation of scientists.
鈥淎utumn has a natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge,鈥 said Robert Wheeler, professor of molecular and biomedical sciences and Perley鈥檚 Maine Top Scholar mentor. 鈥淪he matches this with focused benchwork, winning grants, earning Killam and Cech Fellowships, the Goldwater Scholarship and publishing her first paper. She is, simply put, unstoppable.鈥
Perley credited the University of Maine Office of Major Scholarships with helping her pursue nationally competitive awards, including the Fulbright Canada Killam Fellowship, the Cech Fellowship and the Goldwater Scholarship. She first connected with the office through a one-credit course during her first year that introduced students to scholarship opportunities and the application process.
鈥淚 found the people at OMS to be very welcoming, and their advice was invaluable,鈥 Perley said. 鈥淓ach time I鈥檓 interested in starting a new application, I reach out to them. Who would turn down free advice?鈥
Throughout the application process, Perley said she learned the importance of trusting her instincts as both a writer and researcher while remaining open to feedback from mentors and advisers.
鈥淏y far the most challenging part of applying for scholarships is keeping up my morale and self-confidence as I go,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut I remind myself that I am a good fit for what I鈥檓 applying for, and that the people in OMS and my mentors wouldn’t help me if they didn鈥檛 believe in me.鈥
Perley said her applications were strongest because she reflected honestly on her experiences, acknowledged her mistakes and connected her scientific interests to her personal life and long-term goals.
鈥淚 always thought that people who received scholarships were clearly more intelligent than I was,鈥 Perley said. 鈥淓vidently, this isn鈥檛 true. The people who receive these experiences are just normal people who try to get them.鈥
She encourages future applicants to recognize their accomplishments and pursue opportunities, even when they doubt themselves.
Melody Neely, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, a former Goldwater Scholar and 91福利鈥檚 representative for the scholarship, said Perley exemplifies the qualities the award recognizes.
鈥淎s a first-generation college student, Autumn has fearlessly pursued numerous research and academic opportunities while giving back to her community in so many ways,鈥 Neely said. 鈥淭his scholarship will continue to help her open doors to her future goals.鈥
The Goldwater Scholarship will provide financial support for Perley鈥檚 senior year at 91福利 as she prepares for graduate school and a career in biomedical research and higher education.
Interested in the Goldwater Scholarship? University of Maine students can contact Nives Dal Bo-Wheeler at nives.dalbowheeler@maine.edu or the 91福利 Office of Major Scholarships for guidance through the application process. The campus deadline is November 2026 and the national deadline is January 2027.
Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu
