Pleimling intends to pursue a Ph.D. in physics after he graduates from Virginia Tech in 2024. He hopes to then attain a university position that will allow him to teach and conduct research in experimental condensed matter physics, his current area of study.
Pleimling is a member of the Khodaparast group, a research group led by Giti Khodaparast, professor of physics. There, Pleimling has been part of a diverse group of researchers working in collaboration, something he values highly. “I believe that science benefits from including as many perspectives as possible. My time in the Khodaparast group has reinforced this belief by showing me how a multicultural group of researchers can leverage their backgrounds when tackling hard problems in physics,” Pleimling said.
Pleimling’s diverse interests are reflected in the breadth of his undergraduate research experiences, which have given him a foundation for understanding research best practices and allowed him to contribute meaningfully to a research group.
In 2022, he won an undergraduate research fellowship from the Virginia Tech Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science.
On applying for scholarships such as the Goldwater award, Christina McIntyre, director of professional development for national and international scholarships within the Honors College, said, “Students often have a difficult time self-identifying their eligibility and competitiveness for these types of awards. Faculty encouragement and mentorship of qualified students is an essential component of this process.”
She added that during the application process, candidates must evaluate their motivations, reflect on their experiences, and develop ideas for future paths toward their desired careers. She encourages students interested in applying to reach out to a research mentor or her office. The application opens each year in September, and the Virginia Tech deadline is Dec. 1. “Students who have transferred to Virginia Tech from another institution are also encouraged to apply, as there is a special category within Goldwater,” McIntyre added.
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