15 Michigan State University undergraduate, graduate students and alumni named National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows
March 29, 2017
Fifteen outstanding undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni from Michigan State University have been selected for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), along with thirteen honorable mentions.
The 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 $34,000 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.
“Successful awards are the product of the work of both talented students and the dedicated faculty mentors who guide their research,” said Judith Stoddart, interim dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for graduate education. “These MSU graduate students will be the future leaders in their fields, and we look forward to seeing how their research advances innovations in STEM and STEM education.”
“The commitment to excellence in STEM disciplines and effective research collaborations have positioned these students to be leaders in their chosen fields,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the Honors College. “Congratulations to the students and their faculty mentors.”
Below are the names of the 15 students who were named NSF Graduate Research Fellows:
- Irene Li, an alumna of the MSU Honors College and the College of Social Science, now studying cell biology at Stanford University.
- Rebecca Carlson, an Honors College senior majoring in chemical engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Quercus Hamlin, a senior majoring in geographic information science in the College of Social Science.
- Elissa Klopfer, an Honors College senior majoring in materials science and engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Matthew Suandi, an Honors College senior majoring in economics in the College of Social Sciences and mathematics in the College of Natural Science.
- Sung Ming Tsou, a senior majoring in environmental engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Alexander Lalejini, a graduate student at MSU studying computer science in the College of Engineering; ecology; and evolutionary biology and behavior in the College of Natural Science.
- Jacalyn Beck, a graduate student at MSU studying fisheries and wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Courtney Bryant, a graduate student at MSU studying psychology in the College of Social Science.
- Sheryl Suet Ying Chau, a graduate student at MSU studying mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Allison Young, a graduate student at MSU studying zoology in the College of Natural Science; ecology, evolutionary biology and behavior in the College of Natural Science.
- Jessica Micallef, a graduate student at MSU studying physics in the College of Natural Science.
- Sylmarie Davila-Montero, a graduate student at MSU studying electrical engineering in the College of Engineering.
- Lauren Koenig, a graduate student at MSU studying integrative biology in the College of Natural Science.
- Connie Rojas, a graduate student at MSU studying zoology in the College of Natural Science; ecology, evolutionary biology and behavior in the College of Natural Science.
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.