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14 Michigan State University students, alumni named National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows

Fourteen National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows (NSF) from Michigan State University have been selected for 2016 and an additional 20 received honorable mention.

The NSF program is the country’s oldest graduate fellowship program that directly supports graduate students in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

NSF Graduate Research Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education they choose.

“MSU graduate students and alumni continue to be very competitive for these prestigious awards,” said Judith Stoddart, interim dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for graduate education. “These outstanding young researchers represent the future of their fields, and we look forward to seeing what they will do in the next several years.  On behalf of the Graduate School, I would also like to recognize the work of their faculty mentors and their contributions to mentoring the next generation of scholars.”

“Engaging undergraduate students in research is part of the core mission of the Honors College,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the Honors College. “On behalf of the college, I want to congratulate the 14 fellows named this year and their faculty mentors.”

Below are the names of the 14 students who were named fellows:

  • Jaron Adkins, a graduate student at MSU studying forestry.
  • Ashley Bourke, a graduate of the MSU Honors College and Lyman Briggs College now studying pharmacology at the University of Colorado at Denver.
  • Maria Castano, a graduate student at MSU studying electrical engineering.
  • James Glazer, a graduate of the MSU College of Social Science now studying clinical psychology at Northwestern University.
  • Mario Gutierrez, a graduate of the MSU Honors College and College of Engineering now studying chemical engineering at the University of Michigan.
  • Stephanie Hamilton, , a graduate of the MSU Honors College and College of Natural Science now studying physics at the University of Michigan.
  • Kerri Miazgowicz, a graduate of the MSU College of Natural Science now studying biology at the University of Georgia.
  • Jenna Parker, a graduate of the MSU Honors College and Lyman Briggs College.
  • Michael Paxhia, a graduate of the MSU Honors College and College of Natural Science now studying biology at the University of Georgia.
  • Joshua Schnell, an Honors College senior majoring in anthropology in the College of Social Science and religious studies in the College of Arts and Letters.
  • Patricia Jaimes, a graduate student at MSU studying geological sciences.
  • Cristina Gauthier-Hernandez, a graduate student at MSU studying geography.
  • Nerli Ruvalcaba, a graduate student at MSU studying anthropology.
  • Courtney Larson, a graduate student at MSU studying entomology.

The Graduate School is the principal advocate for graduate, graduate professional, and post-doctoral education at Michigan State University, and promotes the quality and visibility of these programs to the world.

The National and International Fellowship and Scholarship (NIFS) Office at Michigan State University, administered by the Honors College, helps interested undergraduate and graduate students to pursue major national and international opportunities by providing information and direct support throughout the competitive application processes.

The Honors College serves academically talented, committed students who wish to pursue and achieve academic excellence.

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