April 13, 2026
In fewer than two years at the University of Missouri, Sophie Hof has developed a solid research foundation, one that she will continue to build upon as a recipient of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.
The award is one of the most distinguished national scholarships in science, engineering and mathematics in the United States. A total of 454 Goldwater Scholarships were awarded for the 2026-27 academic year from more than 5,000 applicants.
“It was incredibly exciting to be named a Goldwater Scholar and a surprise,” said Hof, a sophomore biological sciences major in the College of Arts and Science who is pursuing the Honors College Certificate. “The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious undergraduate awards in STEM, so being selected as a sophomore is a huge honor and really affirmed my commitment to pursuing research. I’m also very grateful for the support of Mizzou’s Office of Global and National Fellowships. They were incredibly supportive throughout this process.”
Hof’s first research experience came through the Freshman Research in Plants (FRIPS) Program, which is designed to expose new college students to plant research and to encourage them to consider a research career in plant biology. Hof was connected with Ron Mittler, a Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology, through the program.
She plans to use the scholarship to fund her future research endeavors and build on her projects in behavioral ecology and plant biology while planning for graduate study and a long-term career in research.
Read more from the Office of Global and National Fellowships
