University of Illinois junior Justin Kopinsky’s studies in math and computer science and numerous qualifications have added up to equal one Barry M. Goldwater scholarship for 2010-2011.
The scholarship—awarded to highly qualified sophomores and juniors in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering who intend to pursue careers in these fields—covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.
Kopinsky, a Chancellor’s Scholar majoring in math and computer science, began pursuing graduate-level math courses at Illinois as a second semester freshman. He takes part in mathematics contests and in computer science competitions, and as a member of a U.S. regional team in 2010, he competed at the finals of the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest in Harbin, China.
The Buffalo Grove, Ill., native is conducting research with a parallel architecture research group led by Illinois computer science professor Sarita Adve. He intends to pursue a doctorate in computer science and eventually work at a corporate lab.
One of his goals is to discover ways to create affordable many-core processers for personal computers.
The 275 Goldwater Scholars for 2011-12 were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,095 mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.
Peter Fiflis, also a junior at Illinois, won honorable mention. Fiflis, of Indian Head Park, Ill., is majoring in nuclear engineering with a concentration in plasma and fusion science and engineering.
