Angela Harper named Churchill Scholar

“I am incredibly honored to represent both Wake Forest as the first Churchill scholar, but also to represent women in STEM fields,” said Harper.

At Cambridge, Harper will complete a one-year M.Phil. in physics, researching lithium ion batteries using computational modeling.

“As we continue to research solar energy, wind power and other forms of renewable energy we need a place to store that power, and lithium ion batteries are one potential way to harness that storage ability.”

At Wake Forest, Harper has done computational biophysics research and experimental work on organic electronics with physics faculty, including professor Oana Jurchescu.

As the president of the Women in STEM organization on campus, she counts as her most important achievements helping to charter the organization and partnering with Northwest Middle School to develop an after-school mentoring program that meets weekly.

Angela Harper

“After interacting with Angela both in the classroom and the research lab, I can say with no reservations that she has the skills, drive, maturity and perseverance to be successful. She is a great colleague in the lab and a dedicated advocate for scientific literacy from an early age,” said Jurchescu. “She will be an outstanding ambassador for Wake Forest during her graduate studies at Cambridge University.”

Harper, who is from Downington, Penn., is also a Stamps Scholar at Wake Forest. The Stamps Scholarship Program supports exceptional students with promise and vision, who exemplify leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service and innovation. She also earned a Goldwater Scholarship — the premier undergraduate award for mathematics, science and engineering students.

About Churchill Scholars

Churchill Scholars are selected for outstanding academic achievement and proven talent in research and a capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics by pursuing original, creative work. At least fourteen Churchill Scholarships are offered annually. Funds cover all University and College fees plus a living and travel allowance. Nine Churchill Scholars have won the Nobel Prize.