updated March 12, 2009

Motivation has never been a problem for Evan Breedlove.

Goldwater Scholar: Evan Breedlove, a senior mechanical engineering major, is a lifelong learner who has maintained a perfect 4.0 throughout his academic career at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Since his youth, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology senior mechanical engineering major has been passionate about becoming a third-generation engineer and using his problem-solving skills to help others.

Along the way, Breedlove has earned perfect scores on the SAT and ACT, had a perfect 4.0 grade point average through three years on campus, and been selected one of the nation’s top American college students in science, engineering and mathematics by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation through the prestigious Goldwater Scholars program.

Breedlove has also published chemistry research, helped organize chemistry education programs for elementary school children, found time to volunteer as a pianist for Sunday church services at Terre Haute’s Salvation Army chapel and has been a campus leader.

“Some people may think I’m a perfectionist, but, really, I’m not.  I’m just motivated,” he says.

Breedlove grew up being taught the value of books, a taste of museums and the appreciation of using a person’s skills to assist mankind.  Now, he’s taking advantage of those lessons.

“There are a lot of options out there that are intriguing to me,” admits Breedlove, who hasn’t earned a non-‘A’ grade in the past 10 years.  “The humanitarian side of science is what I find very interesting and motivating.  I definitely like helping others.  I see the world from other’s point of view –- in hopes that the world can be a better place.”

Breedlove’s humanitarian efforts have included helping Rose-Hulman chemistry professor Mark Brandt study alcohol’s effects on the estrogen receptor, which is involved in breast cancer and other endocrine cancers, and human growth, development and reproduction.  He proposed a variety of experiments that might help lend insight into protein-small molecule interactions.

“It was clear to me that Evan had been both thinking about and reading literature related to this project, and that he understands both the project and its significance,” Brandt states.  “Evan has outstanding potential as a clinician and scientist.  He works well with people, he is creative and he has an infectious self-confidence.”

This fall, Breedlove continued to push his academic pursuits by enrolling in a graduate-level Bone Biomechanics course, and plans to take several other advanced courses throughout his senior year.  Research and studies at Rose-Hulman have motivated Breedlove to pursue a career in biomechanics.

“Evan is a lifelong learner who has the ability to complete complex research projects on time with a true sense of purpose and pride,” stated Robert Sobel, director of technology and innovation for FONA International Inc. (Geneva, Ill.), where Breedlove has spent four summers as a chemistry and engineering intern.  Last summer, he was a member of an architectural design team for the construction of an industrial research and development facility that FONA is building as a joint venture.  He supported the contracted engineers, helping them to understand FONA’s needs for the building, and verified that the designs would be suitable from continuing maintenance and met Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification system requirements for “green” buildings.

At Rose-Hulman, Breedlove has served as co-director for the Alpha Chi Sigma chemistry honor society’s popular Chemistry On Wheels educational program and served as secretary for the Student Government Association.

“When I find something that I’m passionately about, I really get involved and want to make as big a contribution as possible,” he says.

Regarding the future, Breedlove hopes to be studying next year at Oxford or Cambridge in England through a National Institutes of Health fellowship program in the growing field of biomechanics.  If not accepted, there is a long line of graduate and medical school options to study for a doctorate degree.

“Originally, my lifelong goal was to become a doctor.  However, upon further reflection, I realized I was more interested in the science than in the practice of medicine,” the St. Charles, Ill., native says.  “My objectives haven’t much changed.  Now, I want to be a researcher in medicine, and I still want to make contributions that improve other people’s quality of life.  The major difference is how I intend to do that.”

Breedlove was one of 321 Goldwater Scholar selected this year from more than 1,035 candidates.  The program supports study in the fields of mathematics, engineering and the natural sciences as preparation for careers in these areas.  Awards are made on the basis of merit and recipients are expected to pursue advanced degrees. 

“The Goldwater Scholarship brings outside credibility to my academic record and enhances my chances to realize by graduate school goals,” Breedlove stated.