Joshua Robinson, a sophomore mathematics major at Louisiana Tech University and a graduate of Airline High School, has been nominated for the nationally competitive Barry Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious undergraduate honors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Robinson is one of five Louisiana Tech students nominated for the 2026 Goldwater Scholar Competition, which recognizes top undergraduate researchers pursuing careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Universities are permitted to nominate up to four undergraduate students and one transfer student each year. National scholarship recipients will be announced March 27.
A native of Haughton, Robinson is conducting research in algebraic graph theory under the guidance of faculty advisors Dr. Ann Clifton and Dr. Blake Farman. His work focuses on the topological properties of Cayley graph embeddings, a specialized area of mathematics that explores how graph structures reflect underlying algebraic systems.
Robinson’s academic interests were shaped by Louisiana Tech’s strong emphasis on graph theory within its mathematics department. His long-term career goals include contributing original research to the field of pure mathematics and teaching at the university level.
The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, which was established by Congress in 1986. The program honors students who demonstrate exceptional research ability and the potential to become leaders in STEM fields critical to national competitiveness and innovation.
Louisiana Tech University officials said a panel of reviewers selected the nominees from a larger pool of students recommended by faculty members. Nominees worked closely with the university’s nationally competitive scholarship coordinator to complete the extensive application process.
In addition to Robinson, Louisiana Tech’s 2026 Goldwater nominees include students majoring in chemistry, psychology, forestry, and biomedical engineering.