MANHATTAN — Sydney Erin Frenk, a junior from Fredonia majoring in chemistry and pursuing a master of business administration degree, is Kansas State University’s 83rd Goldwater scholar.
Frenk received recognition from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Established by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry M. Goldwater from Arizona, the scholarship was awarded to 441 undergraduate students across the country for 2025. Awardees receive up to $7,500 annually for college-related expenses. To be eligible, a student must be active in research and intend to pursue a career in mathematics, science or engineering.
Frenk is passionate about solving environmental problems through research. She has participated in three major research projects that explored innovative solutions to real-world challenges in separation science and water quality. She currently works with Takaski Ito, professor of chemistry, studying the incorporation of Europium ions into graphene oxide films to improve rare earth element recovery from industrial wastewater.
For her earlier projects, she investigated the electrochemical synthesis of mixed-metal Metal Organic Frameworks for applications in gas storage and separations and developed a sensitive analytical method for copper ion detection using organic nanotube adsorbents to inform rare earth separations.
“I plan to earn a Ph.D. and lead research that improves water quality and addresses critical environmental challenges,” Frenk said. “The Goldwater scholarship will give me the flexibility to dedicate more time to my research and other opportunities like presenting at conferences and engaging in summer research experiences, which will strengthen my preparation for graduate school.”
In addition to the national lab internship, Frenk has received numerous awards, including a K-State Undergraduate Research Amplification Project Grant, College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Award and multiple K-State Phi Lambda Upsilon Undergraduate Research and Classroom Awards.
She is a member of the University Honors Program and K-State Concert Choir, president of the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors and vice president of Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry fraternity.
A graduate of Fredonia Junior/Senior High School, Frenk is the daughter of Kerri Spoon, Fredonia.
“Erin joins a legacy of K-State Goldwaters that stretches back to the 1980s,” said Beth Powers, director of K-State’s Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research and Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships. “Her exemplary work in Dr. Ito’s chemistry lab and her experience at the Argonne National Lab demonstrate her commitment to gaining the experience to run her own lab one day.”
