Cal State LA chemistry major Elise Hastie has been named a 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar, one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate awards in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation recognized the 23-year-old first-generation college student for her academic achievement and commitment to a research career. Students selected as juniors receive up to $7,500 for one year.
Hastie is one of two Cal State LA students selected as 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholars. Fellow student Mark Raspopov also received the honor.
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to be named a Barry Goldwater Scholar,” said Hastie, who resides in Long Beach. “I’m so thankful for the support, guidance, and encouragement of the many mentors who shaped me into the chemist I am today.”
A Dean’s List student with a 4.0 GPA, Hastie transferred to Cal State LA from Long Beach City College. She is a member of Cal State LA’s National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) program, which prepares students for doctoral study through mentored research, professional development, and financial support for research and conference participation.
Under the mentorship of Professor Brenda Andrade Rounds, Hastie conducts research developing cyclodextrin-based nanosponges for drug delivery and environmental remediation.
“Elise is a talented and passionate chemist. Her thirst for knowledge and understanding has fueled her outstanding scholarly performance both in the classroom and in the laboratory, where she’s spearheading work to develop and study porous materials for molecular capture and release,” said Rounds, a U-RISE research mentor and chemistry faculty member in the College of Natural and Social Sciences.
Hastie credits her mentors with helping shape both her scientific skills and career aspirations.
“While filling out the Goldwater application and listing individuals who have mentored me throughout my research career, I realized just how profoundly my life has been shaped by these individuals who took the time to advise, guide, and inspire me,” she said. “I am particularly grateful for my research advisor, Dr. Brenda Andrade Rounds. Not only has she patiently developed my professional and technical skills, but she has also taught me how to think like a scientist.”
Outside the laboratory, Hastie volunteers at community beach cleanups in Long Beach, helping protect local wildlife by keeping beaches free of litter. She also previously served as an embedded organic chemistry tutor for lecture and laboratory courses at Long Beach City College.
Hastie is a recipient of the Caltech Carl F. Braun WAVE Fellowship and the Best Poster Award in Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the 2026 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA) Conference at Cal State LA. She is also a member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, the American Chemical Society, and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
After completing her bachelor’s degree, Hastie plans to pursue a doctorate in chemistry with an emphasis in organic chemistry before beginning a career in academia.
“I intend to become a chemistry professor and establish my own research laboratory focused on designing functional materials for environmental remediation and medical or drug-delivery applications,” Hastie said. “I am fascinated by many subfields of chemistry and would particularly love to work on projects that leverage organic, inorganic, and supramolecular chemistry to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.”
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the work of Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate.
The foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Many recipients go on to earn prestigious fellowships, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, and Churchill Scholarship.
Since its creation in 1986, the Goldwater Foundation has awarded scholarships to more than 11,000 college sophomores and juniors. For a complete list of this year’s scholarship winners, please visit the Goldwater Scholarship website.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.
