College of Engineering
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John Howe, Class of 2026
Goldwater Scholar
Hometown: Boerne, Texas
Major: Electrical Engineering
What is your favorite spot on campus?
The Stinson Remick Cleanroom
What has been your favorite course(s) at ND so far and why?
Digital Integrated Circuits with Professor Matthew Morrison.
I took this course during my fall semester of junior year. I really enjoyed taking a class with Professor Morrison. He was respectful to his students and very personable. He communicated well with us, teaching difficult subject materials in a way we all could understand.
I also learned the basics of integrated circuit design with Cadence, an industry grade software suite. I was able to see the real world application of the theories I learned, taking basic schematics and then designing integrated circuits and subsequent layouts. I got to learn about all the tools to solve problems and actually simulate various circuits.
How did you decide on your major/minor?
I switched my major from Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics (ACMS) to Electrical Engineering (EE) during my Freshman year. I enjoyed learning about applied mathematics, but I wanted a major that would allow me to practice the abstract theories I studied. During my first semester, I took time to figure out what I really wanted to major in. Electrical Engineering allowed me to combine mathematical theory and physical application while focusing on the topics that interested me.
Also, EE professors are awesome! They are all super helpful, personable, and give good lectures. The major has been great as well! The culture and community of electrical engineering majors have been collaborative and supportive. This major has helped me become a better person and with a sense of belonging on this campus.
What are your research interests?
I am currently researching ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), a promising new technology in computer memory. My current work is focused on mitigating polarization disturb in high density ferroelectric capacitor memory arrays to improve FeRAM density for commercial applications through the integration of a highly nonlinear bi-directional selector.
What kinds of extracurricular activities did you participate in and why?
I am affiliated with the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and Cornell University through my research. On campus, I am a member of the Band of the Fighting Irish and the Robotic Football Club, as well as Tau Beta Pi and IEEE Eta Kappa Nu Honor Societies.
I joined the Band of the Fighting Irish to keep up with my musical skills. I have been playing tuba since the 6th grade. I believe that playing an instrument is like learning a language. I wanted to keep developing my interests in the arts and explore the emotional part of my brain.
I joined the Robotic Football Club to have fun with my major. It has been a nice application of my engineering skills. My studies can get very technical and this was a good way of getting to be a part of a design team and align with my hobbies in athletics.
What are your future plans? How did you decide on this?
I currently plan to enter the semiconductor manufacturing industry, as I accepted an offer to join Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) as a process engineering intern with the Dry Etch (ETC) module this summer. I hope to also pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering and engage in research in industry with a focus on memory design and manufacturing.
I was interested in nano-material science and wanted to get involved in this area of research. It was during my time with ND Nano with Dr. Svetlana Neretina, where I found my area of interest. I started working with Dr. Neretina the summer after my freshman year, leading with the question: How do we work with chemistry on a fundamental scale? Nanomaterial science was a combination of everything I wanted to do. The labs in my freshman year helped me explore widely amongst the realms of science.
In addition, the semiconductor industry is booming– the developments in AI, processors , memory, etc. There are many possibilities and a lot of this deals with the fundamentals of material science. I wanted to push those boundaries in the work that I do. And… I just love this work.
How did you find out about CUSE and when?
I first interacted with CUSE with the Sorin Scholars’ invitation to apply during my first year. However, I first started officially working with CUSE as a pre-applicant to the Goldwater Scholarship this past year (Fall 2024).
How has CUSE helped you?
As a pre-applicant to the Goldwater Scholarship, Emily Hunt (Assistant Director of Scholarly Development) helped me with editing statements, structuring what was done in the projects, and articulating myself to a wider audience in a format that fits the application. Emily also asked questions about what else I might have missed in the application.
Did you apply to any grants, scholarships, or fellowships through CUSE?
I worked with CUSE on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. I was chosen as one of the five endorsed applicants for this school year (2024-2025).
What advice do you have for applying to grants, fellowships, scholarships, or internships?
Start early! It is really important to develop good habits and expose yourself to different experiences, and it all has to start from somewhere. Pursue opportunities in topics you find interesting at every chance you get, and connect with people who are interested in similar things to help you discern what you need to do to achieve your goals!
What have you learned from CUSE that you will carry with you past your undergraduate experience?
At CUSE, I have learned that putting in hard work into any application is very important. What you put in is what you get. Be proactive with your work. It is important to be organized and stay on top of things. I learned how to put myself in the most advantageous position by being communicative, organized with time, and holding myself accountable to the work I put in.
At Notre Dame, take advantage of research and clubs to gain hands-on experience to round out your education. Use your time here at Notre Dame to explore and learn as much as you can.