Villanova Student Honored as 2026 Goldwater Scholar
VILLANOVA, Pa. (April 10, 2026)—Faith Yost, a sophomore majoring in Biology at Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has received the 2026 Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious distinction awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. This honor is presented to outstanding undergraduates in STEM fields who are aiming for research careers.
The Goldwater Scholarship is recognized as the foremost award for undergraduates in sciences, mathematics, or engineering, and it supports sophomores and juniors in their academic pursuits.
According to University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, “Faith’s recognition as a Goldwater Scholar is a testament to her academic achievements, dedication to research and commitment to fieldwork. A true Villanova researcher, she is harnessing her intellectual curiosity and passion for conservation science to ignite change for the common good. We congratulate Faith on her selection and look forward to seeing the impact of her work in the years ahead.”
Yost’s research interests lie in wildlife biology, specifically focusing on conservation and sustainability in tropical regions. Her fieldwork spans across locations such as Pennsylvania, Florida, and international sites.
As a freshman, she began collaborating with Villanova faculty members Dr. Samantha Chapman and Dr. Adam Langley on environmental biology research projects, where she engaged in biomass measurements and soil nitrogen analysis.
In the summer of 2024, Yost received a Biology Summer Research Fellowship to explore fungi and mangrove tree interactions. Her pioneering research integrated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi into Florida’s black mangrove ecosystems. She showcased her findings at the Villanova Undergraduate Research Symposium and secured first place at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in the “Creativitas: Displays of Beauty in Research” category for her microscopic image of mycorrhizal fungi.
Yost expanded her research experience globally by studying in the Galapagos Islands, where she focused on pollinator species and designed an exhibit on wildlife-related risks. Her volunteer work included forest management projects.
In 2025, Yost interned with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, engaging in habitat management with wildlife such as black bears and songbirds. Presently, she is an intern at Elmwood Park Zoo, where she supports animal care and conservation education. This summer, she plans to intern with Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust to enhance her skills in ecological restoration and biodiversity studies.
Looking ahead, Yost aims to research the effects of invasive wild pigs on marsh and mangrove ecosystems. She plans to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and pursue a PhD in tropical conservation biology at the University of Hawaii, with aspirations to study invasive species in the Amazon rainforest.
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