Strauss-Soukup receives 2025 CUR-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award
Juliane Strauss-Soukup, PhD, associate vice provost of research and scholarship and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, 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—several of whom have earned Goldwater Scholarships and launched successful research careers.
“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.
Mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping Strauss-Soukup’s journey. In fifth grade, a math teacher saw her potential and placed her in an eighth-grade math class, “building confidence and setting expectations I hadn’t imagined for myself,” she says. Later, in high school, her chemistry teacher urged her to enroll in Advanced Chemistry and Physics. When she hesitated, aware she’d be the only girl in the class, he offered reassurance: “Don’t question your place.” That moment gave her the courage to pursue her passion. As she advanced through college and graduate school, Strauss-Soukup continued to benefit from mentors who not only guided her scientifically but also modeled how to inspire others and create a strong sense of camaraderie.
These experiences came to form a philosophy for her own research lab.
“The Soukup lab is a family you join,” she says. “My students know that they can talk to me about their research projects and about their classes, goals, setbacks and other challenges. This supportive and comforting culture in the lab is important to me and stems from the Jesuit ideals that are interwoven into everything we do at Creighton.
“I take this to heart, striving to help my students grow not only as scientists, but also as people, peers and leaders.”
Strauss-Soukup has mentored 130 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,” says John Mateja, PhD, president of the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation.
For biochemistry major Alessandra Kakish, the mentorship started before her freshmen year. Kakish expressed her research interests to Strauss-Soukup, who “unhesitatingly invited me to learn more about the lab that summer,” recalls Kakish. Over nearly four years, that support has remained steadfast—with encouragement to pursue summer fellowships, attend conferences and learn skills to communicate her research to both experts and non-experts.
“Having a mentor that is continuously available, wanting to help me and others, is a privilege that elevates the entire research and undergraduate experience,” says Kakish. “Without Dr. Soukup’s involvement with research at Creighton University, my and many other students’ academic and personal journeys would not be as developed as they are now.”
Kakish, also a global health equity and economics double minor, participated in the 2025 BIG EAST Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium in New York City under the guidance of Strauss-Soukup. Kakish, who plans to become a physician, says, “Dr. Soukup’s mentorship is distinguished by unwavering support, genuine encouragement and a spirit of true friendship.”
“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, provost of Creighton University. “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.”
Creighton University will receive $5,000 dedicated to support Strauss-Soukup’s research program and/or current undergraduate researchers.
