Juliane Strauss-Soukup, PhD, associate vice provost of Research and Scholarship and professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, has been selected as the 2025 Council on Undergraduate Research – Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Awardee. This award recognizes her exceptional commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers and guiding them toward nationally competitive scholarships.
Over her distinguished career, Strauss-Soukup has consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to nurturing the scientific curiosity and academic growth of her students, several of whom have gone on to become Goldwater Scholars and successful researchers. Her innovative mentorship approach combines rigorous scientific training with personalized guidance, fostering both research excellence and confidence in her mentees. This award highlights her outstanding ability to identify and develop student potential, as well as her significant contributions to the broader undergraduate research community.
“Being recognized with this award is an immense honor, and involving students in my research is a great privilege. Undergraduate research and mentoring are at the heart of everything I care about and have accomplished as a teacher-scholar,” Strauss-Soukup says.
She describes her personal experience and its impact on her. “I am who I am today because I had the chance to do undergraduate research in college. That first experience of one-on-one mentorship ignited my passion for research, teaching, and guiding students. I hope this award draws even more students to my research group, but more so to Creighton, where undergraduate research is a top priority and something we strongly support and believe in.”
“Paying it forward by engaging 16 to 20 undergraduates in her laboratory every semester is a driving force in Dr. Strauss-Soukup’s career,” says John Mateja, PhD, president of the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation.
Strauss-Soukup has mentored 128 undergraduates and 10 high school students, with eight of her undergraduates named Goldwater Scholars.
“Noteworthy, too, is Dr. Strauss-Soukup’s interest in her students’ careers and well-being, following their professional development, providing them with advice, and writing them letters of support long after they have left her research lab,” Mateja says.
One of her mentees expressed everything that needs to be said: “Dr. Strauss-Soukup forged a path for me in academic medicine in fields and institutions that few like me ever see.”
“This national recognition is a testament to Dr. Strauss-Soukup’s extraordinary dedication to mentoring undergraduate researchers and helping them realize their full potential,” says Mardell Wilson, EdD, RDN, Creighton University provost. “Her passion has opened doors for numerous students to engage in high-level scientific discovery early in their academic journeys. With this award, Dr. Strauss-Soukup not only brings honor to Creighton, but also exemplifies our commitment to offering enriching research opportunities to undergraduate students.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Juliane Strauss-Soukup with the 2025 CUR-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award,” says Lindsay Currie, executive officer of the Council on Undergraduate Research. “Her unwavering dedication to mentoring and her ability to cultivate both scientific excellence and student confidence have made a lasting impact on the next generation of researchers. Dr. Strauss-Soukup exemplifies the transformative power of faculty mentorship, and we are proud to celebrate her contributions to the undergraduate research community.”
Creighton University will receive $5,000 dedicated to support Strauss-Soukup’s research program and/or current undergraduate researchers. She will also be celebrated on June 10 at the virtual CUR Award Celebration Ceremony. You can find out more here.
Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.
CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation: By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is helping to ensure that the United States is producing the number of highly qualified professionals needed by the nation in these critical fields.
Creighton University, founded in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1878, is a leading Jesuit, Catholic institution offering students an exceptional educational experience. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors. With a full range of undergraduate majors; master’s and doctoral programs; opportunities for original research; and non-degree offerings for working professionals, Creighton students of all faith traditions learn to think critically, seek justice, serve others and lead in their communities and on the global stage. Creighton’s primary campuses, located in Omaha, Nebraska, and Phoenix, Arizona, are home to more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university’s newer health sciences campus in Phoenix, which will accommodate nearly 1,000 students in 2025, is the largest expansion outside of Omaha in Creighton’s history and positions the University as one of the largest Catholic health professions educators in the country. Creighton is ranked in the top third of National Universities by U.S. News & World Report.
