Written by Chris Lindeke –  Photos by Craig Schreiner, Kyle Winter

Beto Patino Luna, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was recently announced as one of 441 recipients nationwide of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the natural sciences and engineering.

Patino Luna, a geography (geology) and physics major from Janesville, was selected from a pool of approximately 5,000 applicants that included sophomores and juniors from universities around the United States. He is the fifth Warhawk to have earned the honor, joining Matthew Schulgit (2020), Melanie Sorman (2016), Andrew Phillips (2014) and Marie Nider (2012).

“It’s the most prestigious scholarship for undergraduates nationwide,” said Juk Bhattacharyya, a professor of geography, geology, and environmental science at UW-Whitewater and one of Patino Luna’s faculty mentors for the scholarship. “There are three people from Yale, three people from UW-Madison … and one from UW-Whitewater.

“Warhawks are the best people they can be, and Beto is a good example of that.”

One of eight students from Wisconsin to collect the scholarship, Patino Luna intends to pursue a Ph.D. in geophysics focused on rock rheology — the study of the deformation and flow of matter — and conduct research at a national laboratory, advancing numerical models to forecast volcanic hazards including eruptions and flank collapse.

Patino Luna, who is highly engaged in undergraduate research at UW-Whitewater, was encouraged to apply for the award by Bhattacharyya. He worked through the application process during the summer and submitted his application in January.

Patino Luna said completing the application helped him refine his knowledge of the research he is conducting and think more deeply about what he wants to do for his career.

“I was excited. Even just going through the application was a great joy,” he said. “Receiving that notification (of selection) was the cherry on top.”

A first-generation college student, Patino Luna worked as a welder in high school before deciding to attend college to find his passion. He visited campus in June 2022 and decided to enroll that fall.

Patino Luna was a part of the King/Chávez Scholars Program during his first year on campus. He contacted Bhattacharyya about being a part of her research when she presented to the group in the week leading up to the first day of classes and joined her lab that same week.

He immediately found success in research, presenting “Physical modeling with sand and water to simulate landslide conditions using Raspberry Pi to predict slope failure” at Undergraduate Research Day that spring. He earned the Outstanding Poster in Physical Science award for the project.

“Beto is like a sponge,” Bhattacharyya said. “When knowledge is involved, he soaks up anything people can throw at him, and he wants more.”

In 2023-24, Patino Luna continued with research in landslide detection and slope failure, presenting at the WiSys Quick Pitch competition. Later that spring, he earned the Travel Study Award scholarship from the University Honors Program, setting up his participation in an eight-day travel study course in Iceland with Bhattacharyya and Ozgur Yavuzcetin, professor of physics and also a faculty mentor for the Goldwater Scholarship.

“It’s a completely different culture, so it really broadens your perspective,” Patino Luna said. “I think that was really important, and it helped me become certain that I wanted to pursue a career in research.”

Patino Luna was one of 10 recipients nationwide of the 2024 American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) Undergraduate Scholarship. Last summer, he worked with Tushar Mittal, Raphael Affinito, and Christelle Wauthier of Penn State University’s Department of Geosciences on rock deformation, using his skills in physics and mathematics to conduct research. Mittal authored one of Patino Luna’s letters of recommendation.

In the fall, Patino Luna was part of a visit by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to Upham Hall’s STEM lab. He is also a McNair Scholar for his work in undergraduate research.

“Beto is a go-getter,” Yavuzcetin said. “If he wants to do something, he’ll do it. There’s nothing difficult for him.”

Patino Luna’s friendly demeanor and positive attitude match his hunger to learn.

“He’s always smiling,” Yavuzcetin said. “When he’s working or learning something, he’s always trying to talk to his professors, trying to learn something new and asking them questions. He has lots of interests … he’s like a kid in a candy store.”

This summer, Patino Luna will be working at the University of California, Santa Barbara through the U.S. National Sciences Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates, which includes numerous opportunities available to college students. He’ll work with devices consisting of stacked single atomic layers from synthetically grown materials — think small Legos stacked on top of each other — that allow for the study of quantum phenomena that can be implemented in new technologies.

He values the relationships he’s built in his coursework, through undergraduate research, and through all his opportunities at UW-Whitewater.

“I am who I am because of my mentors and my peers — both of them are really important to my development,” said Patino Luna, who is slated to graduate in May 2027. “They are really hard workers who motivate me to keep working and keep pushing.”

The Goldwater Scholarship honors former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater and was designed to identify, encourage, and financially support outstanding undergraduate students interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics.