OU Student Receives Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

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NORMAN, Okla. – University of Oklahoma student Aaron Lim has been selected for the highly competitive 2026 Goldwater Scholarship. The honor, named after U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, is presented to undergraduates pursuing careers in science, engineering and mathematics who have demonstrated academic excellence, research capability and commitment to scientific advancement.

Lim is a third-year student pursuing a chemical biosciences degree in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences and is a member of the Honors College. He is one of just a few hundred students nationwide receiving this honor, and is working to innovate within the field of photodynamic therapy, a less common but promising form of cancer treatment that utilizes both drugs and light to fight harmful cells.

“Aaron, a Dodge Family Scholar, embodies what it means to be both an exceptional scholar and an exceptional person,” said Kaitlyn Armon, Director of Student Success in DFCAS. “He is always willing to help others grow alongside him. Being named a Goldwater Scholar is an incredibly well-deserved recognition of his work. We are so incredibly proud of him!”

“We are delighted that Aaron has been named a 2026 Goldwater Scholar,” said Brian Johnson, Director of Student Success at the Honors College. “His love of STEM-related research, along with his drive, intellect, and energy, make him an exemplary member of both OU’s Honors College and of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.”

Fueled by his research interests, Lim aims to become a physician working between clinical medicine, therapeutic innovation and health policy. He is applying for competitive scholarships to pursue postgraduate opportunities next year, before he looks to enter medical school.

Lim credits his passion for therapeutic innovation to his first research experience at OU – and continued work– with DFCAS faculty member Yuanning Feng. Through the research lab, Lim said that Feng taught him how to “think like a scientist,” emphasizing rigor and connecting ideas across disciplines.

“Even though I was tasked to synthesize particularly fluorescent dyes, he encouraged me to really explore other topics as well,” Lim said. “And a natural extension was light-responsive therapeutics. What really caught my interest was called photodynamic therapy and that is how I built my whole research profile.”

Beyond research, Lim is also focused on ways to support equitable drug access. He recently founded the Drug Affordability Research & Translation (DART) Lab, a national student-led think tank of more than 40 students across over a dozen universities that conducts research on drug pricing and access and engages directly with policymakers.

“At the end of the day, my goal is to answer, ‘What can I do to maximize my impact on patient care?’” said Lim, who first gained policy experience through another student-led think tank. “I was able to write a policy brief talking about pharmacy benefits managers and some policy recommendations for New Jersey's gubernatorial transition team. After that experience, I decided I wanted to create opportunities for OU students to make a real impact in Oklahoma.”

Lim stressed that his journey would not have been possible without important mentorship from mentors and leaders. That includes two critical OU faculty members: Feng and Michael Machiorlatti with the Hudson College of Public Health.

He also looks to use his experiences to support other students. Alongside a friend he met during a summer internship last year – who also earned a 2026 Goldwater Scholarship – he hosted a virtual meeting to offer advice to others on creating grant applications.

“I'm sure there are a lot of students who are trying to figure out how to get research opportunities, and what they can do to make themselves competitive for this type of scholarship,” Lim said. “Since we had so much help and mentorship along the way, I want to do what I can to give back and help these next generations of scientists in training.”