Sara Alsaifi and Jasmine Baclig have been selected for 2024 Goldwater scholarships – the country’s most historic and prestigious national scholarships in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. Alsaifi and Baclig were chosen for their potential to become the next generation of research leaders in these fields, and they join nine other Boise State students who have received Goldwater scholarships dating back to 1991.

Meet Sara

Sara Alsaifi, majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and psychology, was born in Baghdad during the Iraq War. Her parents left their families and occupations as physicians to seek refuge in Syria before fleeing to the U.S. When she arrived in America, Alsaifi struggled with the language barrier and keeping up with the pace of her classmates. She had to relocate to three different schools for better support.

“Despite these hardships, my parents taught me to never limit my dreams and to relentlessly pursue them no matter the circumstances,” she said.

She sought mentorship from teachers, studied over summers and improved her writing by borrowing literature from a public library. By high school, she excelled in her classes – including nine advanced placement courses – and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT. She independently studied pathology and competed at regional and international medical conferences. Alsaifi arrived at Boise State with 40 college credits already completed.

“This could not have been accomplished without the unending support of my teachers, parents and community who pushed me beyond the limits I once put on myself,” she said. “I hope to serve as a support system for others throughout my career. This investment can change the trajectory of a student’s life as it did for me.”

Alsaifi will pursue a master’s and Ph.D. in molecular biology after she completes her undergraduate degree next year. She aspires to conduct research that better understands the mechanisms of neurological diseases, finding more effective treatments for these ailments. She is a recipient of the Dream Award, American Chemical Society and Governor’s Cup scholarships. She is a Chemistry Club member, a statistics tutor and a volunteer at Saint Alphonsus for the last five years. She also knits blankets for the Humane Society in her spare time.

About the Goldwater Scholarship

The Goldwater program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman. Goldwater Scholarships help ensure that the U.S. continues to produce highly qualified professionals in critical STEM fields. Today, Goldwater alumni can be found conducting research that benefits the nation, finding cures for catastrophic diseases and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.