Esteemed Barry Goldwater Scholarship Awarded to Cal Lutheran Student
The Californer/10315641

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Californer -- Elisha Tong is furthering her student research at California Lutheran University amid the growing health crisis of antibiotic resistance, thanks to a scholarship from The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The nonprofit awards scholarships to college students pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. A total of 441 sophomores and juniors nationwide were selected from over 5,000 who applied for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Tong will receive a $7,500 scholarship and have access to the illustrious community of current and past Goldwater Scholars.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem as pathogenic bacteria mutate to evade current antibiotics, such as methicillin and vancomycin, which are overused or misused, Tong said.

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"Looking at antibiotic resistance on an RNA-level could lead to new advancements in the fight against antibiotic resistance," said Tong, who plans to earn her doctorate in biochemistry. "I would like to investigate functional RNAs in bacteria to see if any properties could help us understand and treat antibiotic-resistant infections."

Tong began her research as a first-year student, working with Michael Abdelsayed, Ph.D., on RNA thermometers, an experience that led to her co-authoring a professional journal article. She completed a two-month internship at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health, where she studied drug transporters under the guidance of Jiansen Jiang, Ph.D. She is working with Cal Lutheran faculty mentor Dana Harmon, Ph.D., to investigate efflux pumps, a mechanism bacteria use to resist antibiotics.

https://www.callutheran.edu/