Joseph Sarrao, left, and Javier McTeigue-Vasquez are the recipients of the 2019 Thomas Intrator scholarship. Photo by Jessica Booton Photography

LAPSF NEWS

The family of Thomas Intrator has announced its selection for this year’s Thomas Intrator Scholarship. The winners are Joseph Sarrao and Javier McTeigue-Vasquez. The scholarship honors Thomas Intrator, who was a distinguished plasma physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Intrator encouraged, fostered and practiced a sense of curiosity. His inquisitiveness and occasional “militant naiveté” defined his approach not just professionally in physics, but in life. Wonder at the natural world, and a drive to understand, were moral imperatives that he hoped to instill in those around him. The scholarship each year goes to a student who earnestly adapts these principles towards application in a STEM major.

Joseph Sarrao is the son of John and Margie Sarrao. He will attend the University of California at Berkeley this fall where he will major in Applied Physics. The Intrator family said in a statement, “Joseph stands in an open doorway marked Science. He understands he is on solid ground thanks to the inspirational accomplishments of his predecessors. He also realizes that while the problems facing humanity have solutions, he does not necessarily know what the solutions will be.”

Javier McTeague-Vasquez is the son of Jose Vasquez and Jolyn McTeigue. He will attend Wheaton College where he will major in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Said the Intrator family, “Javier also stands in an open doorway, his marked Computer Science. He understands the need for global interaction and global citizenship. This lack of boundary will allow for new ideas to spread quickly and efficiently.”

“Both Joseph and Javier wish to create a better world and want to dedicate themselves with passion for their fields to improve the human condition,” the family added.

The Thomas Intrator Scholarship is administered by the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, an independent organization that supports, challenges, and invests in a successful future for all Los Alamos public school students. Learn more at www.lapsfoundation.com