One of three Goldwater Scholars at UW-Eau Claire
Horejsi is one of three Blugolds receiving the prestigious Goldwater award this year. The other two recipients are Thomas Benning of Brookfield, a chemistry major with biochemistry emphasis; and Jada Wahl of Holmen, a biology major with an ecology and environmental biology emphasis.
The national scholarship is awarded to second-and third-year students majoring in STEM fields, and the three Blugolds are among only seven students within the Universities of Wisconsin to earn the $7,500 award for the 2025-26 academic year.
“The recognition of three UWEC students is a testament to the high quality, enriching research experiences that faculty offer students, and the exceptional caliber of the students engaging in collaborative student-faculty research,” says Dr. Erica Benson, executive director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
A thoughtful student, well-suited for research
One of the first biology courses Horejsi took when she arrived at UW-Eau Claire was with Dr. Nic Wheeler, assistant professor of biology. Both she and Wheeler say the early discovery of lab research in that first semester made it clear that Horejsi had a special knack for scientific investigation.
“Joining an existing research project is a lot like joining a conversation — we all play a role in steering the conversation,” says Horejsi about joining Wheeler’s project examining the behavior of a parasitic flatworm in subtropical regions.
“These flatworms bring debilitating disease to some 300 million people globally, disproportionately impacting poverty-stricken regions with little access to clean water,” Horejsi says.
“We study the parasite behavior in hopes of finding paths to disease prevention,” she says.
According to Wheeler, he recruited her to join his lab because of what he saw as a “unique capacity and personality to succeed as a scientist.”
“Rachel just loves biology so much, a love that I could see in lab and office hours in that first class,” Wheeler says. “She wants to be in the lab all the time, she thinks deeply about the science. It’s so enjoyable to work with students who are so motivated.”
Horejsi, who plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D., is excited about the prospects of being both a practicing physician and a medical researcher someday, as in her mind it is the perfect blend of her passions.
“What really excites me is the area of molecular diagnostics,” Horejsi says. “I hope to bridge the distance between clinical diagnoses, experimental research and improved clinical practices. These are often distinct professional fields, but the synergy of my own clinical mysteries driving my research would be thrilling.”
Wheeler says that it’s the same passion he sees in Horejsi that will make the M.D./Ph.D. a perfect career goal.
“Equal to her love of the science is Rachel’s passion for equity and justice in healthcare,” Wheeler says. “Our research on the parasites that cause human schistosomiasis, for instance, has shown Rachel that our work can bring broad impacts for marginalized and underserved groups — that is very important to her.”
Horejsi says the Goldwater honor is still a little overwhelming. The whole process and the support along the way, she says, gives her confidence that her goals are on the right track.
“Being selected as a Goldwater Scholar has shaped my thinking about myself and my experiences,” Horejsi says. “It is evidence that I really do have what it takes to do hard things, specifically in this field.”
