Midshipman 1st Class Kayla Sax, of Richland, Wash., is the ninth student from the Naval Academy to be awarded this scholarship, which enables academically outstanding students from outside the United Kingdom to pursue graduate study at the University of Cambridge.

‘‘I am honored to have been chosen for this scholarship,” said Sax. ‘‘I’m excited to participate in research at such a prestigious university and to spend a few years living in the United Kingdom.”

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship program was established in 2000 and funded by a $210 million donation to the University of Cambridge by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

It focuses on students with a strong interest in social leadership and responsibility. This year’s successful applicants will study across a wide variety of disciplines, from oncology, bioscience and plant science to African studies, classics and education.

Sax is a systems engineering honors major at the academy. She is part of the Trident Scholar Program and is engaged in a research project which focuses on the development of a more affordable, low-powered, extremely sensitive neutron detection system. While attending the the University of Cambridge, she hopes to contribute to research focused on alternative energy sources.

‘‘The Gates Foundation believes science and technology have great potential to improve lives around the world, a principle that has always shaped my passion for engineering,” said Sax. ‘‘Over the past few years, increased energy demands coupled with the need to address anthropogenic climate change have focused my interest on alternative energy sources, especially nuclear power.”

After completing her studies, Sax will resume her naval career as a Navy nuclear surface warfare officer.

‘‘Midshipman Sax is a wonderful choice for this scholarship,” said Naval Academy Academic Dean Andrew Phillips. ‘‘She has demonstrated an exceptional array of accomplishments while immersed in a Naval Academy experience that is a most demanding one. We could not be more proud of her and this is a recognition very well deserved.”

For more information about Gates Scholars, visit the Gates Cambridge Scholarship website: http:⁄⁄www.gates scholar.org⁄.