Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Ohio Wesleyan University student Ian Sander has been named a 2026-27 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
The highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship is considered the preeminent undergraduate award for students pursuing degrees in mathematics, science, or engineering.
A junior from Pemberville, Sander is one of 454 college sophomores and juniors nationwide selected to receive a Goldwater Scholarship this cycle. He was chosen from a pool of 1,485 students nominated nationwide. The one- and two-year Goldwater Scholarships provide up to $7,500 a year for college costs.
At Ohio Wesleyan, Sander is pursuing a triple major in Microbiology, Pre-Dentistry, and Psychology, combined with a minor in Chemistry. After earning his OWU diploma, he plans to pursue dual Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Oral Biology (Ph.D.) degrees.
“I am so incredibly excited and honored to have been selected as a Goldwater Scholar," Sander said. "This recognition is a significant milestone in my journey as a researcher, and it is a testament to the incredible community of scientists and educators who have supported my work in microbiology and tobacco regulatory science. Exploring the complexities of the microbiome has been a defining part of my undergraduate career, and I am more motivated than ever to contribute to the future of dental and oncological research."
Sander's work to date has included earning an OWU Connection grant to study the ecological and health implications of gut microbiome diversity in fish, completed with two other students under the mentorship of Biological Sciences faculty Andrea Suria, Ph.D., and Shala Hankison, Ph.D. The students presented their research at the 2026 Ohio Branch American Society for Microbiology meeting, and Sander will present it in August in New Zealand at the 20th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. He is also preparing their findings for submission to a peer-reviewed microbiology journal.
Sander's work with tobacco and oral cancer began with the Ohio 5 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program, through which he explored the implications of e-cigarette use at The Ohio State University's Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science (TCORS) and College of Public Health.
He will return to TCORS this summer to research methods to help tobacco users successfully switch from cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to lower-risk oral nicotine pouches, as well as investigate how switching products affects the microbes in their mouths, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their genes.
"We aim to inform FDA regulations designed to reduce the disease burden of tobacco use by fostering complete switching to a less harmful product among established smokers and smokeless tobacco users," Sander said. "This research sits at the fascinating intersection of microbiology and public health, and I am eager to continue to contribute to our understanding of how these factors impact regulatory science, addiction medicine, and consumer harm reduction."
Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School & Academy senior Olivia Ford ’26 earned the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo's top honor, the Youth of the Year John E. Gunckel Award for Service, recognizing her outstanding leadership and dedication.
The entire school celebrated Ford’s accomplishments with a clap-out walk on April 17.
She was also named runner-up as Boys & Girls Clubs of Ohio Youth of the Year, named Youth of the Month by the National Exchange Club, and featured as a “Rising Star” on 13ABC WTVG.
“I fell in love with the Boys & Girls Club right away,” Ford said. Working with the kids, I realized I could be myself and found a passion for helping children.” She started by playing games, running events, and helping with schoolwork, then joined the Teen Employment Corps as a junior staff member, mentoring younger members and assisting with the youth program.
Ford balances her full-time studies with her work at the Boys & Girls Club and her role as a youth volleyball coach. At Cardinal Stritch, she serves as volleyball team captain and is recognized as TAAC Player of the Year, All-Academic, Second Team District, a National Honor Society member, a Student Council participant, and a Stritch Ambassador, and she pursues college courses through BGSU. Her coaching extends to Legacy Elite Volleyball Academy as well.
She plans to attend Bowling Green State University to major in Inclusive Pre-K through 5 Education, continuing her passion for helping children.
She said she encourages teens to explore the Boys & Girls Club, noting that opportunities to help are endless and that working with children is highly rewarding.
