Kaczmarek

James Kaczmarek, a junior in Auburn University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, has been awarded a Goldwater Scholarship honorable mention for his research in engineering silicone hydrogel contact lenses that control the release of eye medications. The Goldwater Scholarship is considered to be among the most prestigious undergraduate awards in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines and is awarded to 300 students across the country each year, as well as an additional 150 honorable mention awards. Universities are limited to four nominees per year. 

Kaczmarek recently earned third place overall in podium presentations at the 2012 AIChE regional conference and was awarded an Auburn undergraduate research fellowship earlier this year. He also received second placed among Auburn undergraduates in the campus-wide ninth annual Outstanding Research Presentation awards, which took place earlier this year during Auburn Research Week’s Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Forum. 

In addition to his research, Kaczmarek is the trumpet section leader in the Auburn University Marching Band; a founding member of AUCappella, Auburn’s premiere all-male a cappella ensemble; and a member of Phi Mu Alpha, a national music fraternity. He is advised by Mark Byrne, Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden associate professor in chemical engineering. 

Contributed by Brennen Reece