UNI Students Receive Award-Winning Education

The University of Northern Iowa provides students with award-winning, hands-on experiences that prepare them for success in their careers, homes and communities.  

This spring, a UNI junior received the prestigious and highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship in Science and Mathematics. This nationally competitive award was granted to fewer than 500 students across the United States.

Joseph Tibbs is a double major in physics and biochemistry from Alden whose work is helping researchers better understand the underlying mechanism of DNA repair.

“Joseph is an exceptionally gifted student,” said Paul Shand, professor and physics department head. “He is one of the best physics majors I have had the pleasure of teaching in my 26 years at UNI.”

Last summer, Tibbs assisted with research at Yale University. This summer, he will be working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

"Undergraduates like me know that the earlier they can be exposed to research, the more prepared they will be to succeed in projects of their own,” Tibbs said.

The Goldwater Scholarship Program, honoring Sen. Barry Goldwater, fosters and encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award in these fields.