Powell

MORGANTOWN – A Tucker County native has been named one of West Virginia University’s four 2026 recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, engineering and natural sciences.

Mason Powell, a sophomore earth and environmental science major from Canaan Valley, grew up in Tucker County, and his childhood backyard included vast expanses of wilderness, such as Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley and state parks. The time he spent exploring those areas directly influenced his major and research path at WVU, he said.

“My entire life, I have questioned the hows and whys of nature,” he said. “Walking through these unique and protected landscapes made me incredibly interested in learning all about them and their significance to people and society.”

While in high school, Powell discovered research through the Health Sciences and Technology Academy, a one-of-a-kind mentoring program that connects underserved students to resources and opportunities needed to succeed in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine undergraduate and graduate programs.

“It was through this program and a research project on how road salts affect local water quality that I found out how I can further my learning beyond traditional classroom instruction,” he said. “Because of my high school interest in research, I immediately pursued research at WVU.”

During his first semester at WVU, Powell joined the Research Apprenticeship Program and connected with his mentor Brenden McNeil, professor of geography, and began working to understand how forest ecosystems respond to environmental change.

Through his work, Powell has combined field-based measurements with advanced remote sensing techniques like LiDAR, to better understand how human impacts and biological stress can alter how much carbon a forest stores, how carbon cycles through the ecosystem, and how biodiversity of the forest is changed.

“Knowing how we can effectively manage forests and protect them to maximize carbon sequestration will be important for mitigation of climate change and will provide myriad other benefits, such as habitat, shade, soil stability, clean air, and so much more,” Powell said. “Understanding how they function is imperative to keeping balance in the natural and human world.”

Powell said he plans to pursue a doctorate in geography and continue research in forest ecology and remote sensing technologies with the goal of advancing scientific understanding and mentoring future researchers.

“I hope to dedicate my career to discovery and inspiring the next generation of scientists,” he said.

For the first time, WVU has four recipients of the Goldwater Scholarship, that supports students with a strong commitment to research careers. The recipients will each receive $7,500 annually for up to two years of undergraduate study to further their research.

Along with Powell, the recipients include Caden Ginter, a junior physics and computer science dual major from Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Cloe Ratliff, a Morgantown native and junior dual major in biology and psychology; and Camndon Reed, a junior robotics and computer engineering dual major from Watertown, Massachusetts,.

“Our students’ selection for the Goldwater Scholarship is both an extraordinary honor and a powerful affirmation of their dedication to discovery,” Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Kreider said.

“This recognition reflects not only their exceptional talent, but also their deep commitment to advancing knowledge and pursuing research careers that will shape the future. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the promise they carry forward.”

WVU students interested in the Goldwater Scholarship can work with the ASPIRE Office to learn more and apply. Founded in 2006, the office assists students applying for competitive scholarships and fellowships, as well as students applying for graduate or professional schools.