Montgomery Bohde ’26, while pursuing an undergraduate degrees in mathematics and computer science and a minor in philosophy at Texas A&M University, has been selected as the university’s first recipient of the Churchill Scholarship.
The scholarship, which supports one year of master’s-level study at the University of Cambridge, covers tuition, travel, living expenses and research costs. Each year, the foundation selects 18 students almost entirely on academic achievement and research potential, who prepared to pursue ambitious, intellectually demanding work. The award is designed to give recipients the freedom to focus fully on independent, high-level research.
A Compelling Candidate
After being identified by Texas A&M’s Office of National Fellowships as a strong candidate for the Churchill Scholarship, Bohde approached the application process with confidence, viewing his submission as a reflection of both his research experience and academic direction. As a recipient of the 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Astronaut Scholarship, he knew he could aim for national-level recognition.
For Bohde, the Churchill Scholarship was less about external validation and more about the opportunity it created. “The point of the award is to go do research at Cambridge,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to explore topics that really excite me.”
His application drew on both his mathematics and computer science background using machine learning to explore new methods for designing peptide-based drugs. “We’re trying to develop a machine learning model to design peptide drugs.”
He explained that peptide drugs already play a significant role in modern medicine, including treatments for diabetes and weight loss. “There’s a lot of potential for these peptide drugs to treat diseases that have no treatments at all,” he explained, using certain types of cancer as an example. The project proposal is not binding, allowing him flexibility to work in a broad academic direction.
Dr. Gisele Cardoso de Lemos, program manager with Texas A&M’s Office of National Fellowships, said Bohde’s application demonstrated exactly what the Churchill Foundation looks for. “The Churchill Scholarship is explicitly designed for students in science, mathematics and engineering who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and research potential,” she explained. “Churchill places primary weight on intellectual rigor, originality of research, independence of thought and readiness for advanced study.”
Bohde is fit for that mission. “Montgomery was a complete package,” she said. “He demonstrated exceptional academic focus, intellectual maturity and a deep commitment to research. He is open to mentorship and growth, and highly receptive to feedback, which is a critical quality in any successful applicant. His letters of recommendation were truly stellar, which distinguished his application and reflect the depth of Montgomery’s promise as a young scholar.”
For Bohde, the year at Cambridge is less about locking in a career path and more about discovery. The scholarship gives him the freedom to test out ideas, explore career fields, and clarify what kind of researcher he wants to become. Although he has been admitted to a computer science master’s program at Cambridge, he is considering alternatives that align more closely with his interests in chemistry and biological sciences.
Important Influences
Mentors recognized Bohde’s curiosity and encouraged him to think bigger, prompting conversations that brought Bohde where he is today. When he first arrived at Texas A&M, he planned to major solely in computer science and complete only a minor in mathematics.
“I finished my math minor during my freshman year, and I was sad that I was not going to take any more math classes,” he said. “One of my professors encouraged me to add it as a secondary major.” Those conversations with faculty members like Dr. Kamran Reihani, and Dr. Gregory Berkolaiko allowed him to continue to pursue mathematics and played a part in his success.
Dr. Frank Sottile, a faculty member of the Department of Mathematics at Texas A&M who had previously received the Churchill Scholarship, was especially influential in Bohde’s decision to apply. He noted that Sottile described his time at Cambridge as “the best year of his life,” which he noted, “was a pretty strong endorsement.”
De Lemos reported that these moments of encouragement are often decisive. “The Office of National Fellowships provides intensive, individualized advising throughout the application process,” she said. “We help students identify appropriate opportunities, refine their personal and research narratives, navigate institutional endorsements and, when necessary, prepare for interviews.”
Bohde’s selection is a milestone for Texas A&M University, De Lemos expressed. “Having our first Churchill Scholar affirms not only the strength of our students, faculty mentorship and research culture, but also sends a powerful message: excellence exists here, and our students belong in these conversations.”
Almost a Missed Opportunity
Despite his strong academic record, Bohde did not initially see himself as a Churchill applicant. “I had never even heard of the award, and I was not interested in applying for it,” he recalled. “Then Dr. Lemos and Dr. Sottile pushed me to apply.”
To other students who may be interested in applying for highly competitive scholarships, Bohde emphasized how easily self-doubt could have closed these doors. “I would encourage you to apply,” he said. “Don’t give up on yourself just because you may believe you are not qualified.”
The Churchill Scholarship has changed the vision for his career path. Since his first year at Texas A&M, Bohde assumed a Ph.D. was the natural next step. Now, the scholarship gives him space to explore.