LSU Goldwater Scholar Spotlight: Gerard Lorio’s Medical Research Motivated by Caring and Curiosity
April 10, 2025
Gerard Lorio believes passion and persistence go a long way in research and life. If you put in the work, he contends, opportunities will open up for you.
An Ogden Honors College junior at LSU studying biological engineering on a pre-med track, Lorio is passionate about his research at LSU and persistent in his pursuit of a medical career. Those efforts have culminated in his selection as a Goldwater Scholar, a prestigious honor reserved for only an elite few nationwide.
“Being selected as one of LSU’s four nominees was already an honor. But finding out I had actually received the Goldwater Scholarship, one of only 400 awarded nationwide, was surreal,” Lorio said. “It felt like everything I had worked so hard for — countless hours in the lab, balancing research with classes — had paid off.”
“I chose LSU because of its outstanding faculty in the Biological Engineering Department and the opportunities offered by the Ogden Honors College. LSU just felt like home, and I knew it would give me the foundation I needed to grow.”
— Gerard Lorio, Goldwater Scholar
The Goldwater Scholarship program provides scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering, helping ensure that the U.S. produces highly qualified professionals in these critical fields.
The recognition, Lorio said, has only increased his motivation to continue working toward a future where he can help cancer patients through both medicine and research.
“I’ve always been driven by the desire to help as many people as possible,” he said. “Cancer stood out to me because of how widespread and devastating it is. Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by it. Some cancers remain extremely difficult to treat and come with harsh side effects and low survival rates. That challenge motivates me.”
The Path to LSU
Lorio is a Baton Rouge native who found that his local university checked all the boxes.
“I chose LSU because of its outstanding faculty in the Biological Engineering Department and the opportunities offered by the Ogden Honors College,” he said. “I’m also a third-generation Tiger — my father, mother, and grandfather all graduated from LSU and always spoke highly of their experiences here.
“LSU just felt like home, and I knew it would give me the foundation I needed to grow.”
He said his time at LSU has met his lofty expectations, inside and outside the classroom, particularly in the lab, where he’s found a team of researchers who inspire and support him.
“One of the most meaningful experiences has been working in the research lab and just having open conversations with mentors like Dr. Jorge Belgodere and graduate student Nate Semmes,” he said. “They’ve always made time to answer my questions — whether they were simple or complex. Dr. Todd Monroe, my primary research mentor, brings a level of enthusiasm and curiosity that’s contagious.
“Teamwork is everything in research. At LSU, our lab thrives on collaboration. Whether it’s bouncing ideas off a graduate student, working together to solve a problem, or simply sharing knowledge, the atmosphere is one of constant learning.”
About the Research
After completing his undergraduate studies, Lorio plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. to combine clinical medicine with biomedical research, aiming to treat patients directly while also developing innovative therapies through research.
One research area of interest is building and improving body-on-a-chip models, which are microfluidic devices that can house live human cells and are designed to replicate parts of the human body, such as blood vessels or tissues.
“These devices are valuable tools for studying cellular physiology, disease progression, and testing how drugs might work,” he said.
The research project he featured in his Goldwater application focuses on helping to build a 3D model of breast tissue that more closely mimics real human tissue compared with traditional cell culture methods, he said.
“We introduce triple-negative breast cancer, an especially aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of cancer, into the model to observe how it grows and responds to potential drug treatments,” he said. “This work could lead to a better understanding of TNBC and provide a more effective way to test potential therapies before going to animal or human trials.”
About the Award
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate.
Lorio said Dr. Drew Arms, the associate dean of the Honors College, mentioned to him that the Goldwater Scholarship was especially important for students pursuing M.D./Ph.D. programs.
“Dr. Monroe and Dr. Belgodere believed in my potential and strongly encouraged me to apply,” he said. “Mr. Nicholas Totaro, one of my biological engineering professors, was incredibly helpful in developing my approach to engineering design and problem-solving. Dr. Joseph Givens from the Honors College also played a key role in helping me refine my essays.”
Lorio said his passion and persistence have helped him succeed, and he encourages others interested in research at LSU to adopt a similar mindset.
“Be curious, ask questions, and never stop learning,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes — they’re part of the process. Read up on your field, volunteer for extra tasks, and learn from everyone around you. Whether it’s a fellow student, a graduate researcher, or a professor, there’s always something to gain.
“And, most importantly, stay excited about learning.
Next Step
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