Fifteen University of Texas at Austin students have been accepted to the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship program for 2007. The program offers about 1,000 fellowships nationwide each year to provide graduate students with three years of up to $40,000 annual support.
Current graduate students who received fellowships include Carrie Peterson, Diana Snelling, Wil V. Srubar III, Vince Holmberg, Colleen Kaul, Amanda Van Epps and Jacob Tarver.
Peterson is a second-year doctoral student in mechanical engineering studying under Dr. Rick Neptune, professor of mechanical engineering. Her research focuses on designing more effective rehabilitation techniques to improve walking for stroke victims paralyzed on one side.
Snelling is pursuing her Ph.D. in chemical engineering under Nicholas Peppas, professor of biomedical engineering, chemical engineering and pharmaceutics. Her research focuses on molecularly imprinted polymers for diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical applications.
Srubar is completing his first year as a master’s degree student in structural engineering with an emphasis on sustainable design and green materials. His research will test the behaviors of pervious concrete made from recycled concrete aggregate. He hopes to prove this material to be a reliable alternative to conventional concrete in low-strength pavement applications.
Holmberg, a first year doctoral student in the chemical engineering researches under Dr. Brian Korgel, professor of chemical engineering. He focuses on the synthesis and fabrication of semiconductor nanowire devices to improve the performance of chemical sensors and other electronic structures. Holmberg is also a $240,000 Hertz Fellowship recipient.
Kaul is finishing her first-year as an aerospace engineering doctoral student. Her primary research focus is improving fluid simulations to help design cleaner and more efficient industrial combustion devices.
Van Epps is a second-year dual master’s degree student studying both environmental engineering and public affairs. Her research so far has been through the LBJ school on management of used oil in the US & Mexico. She plans to pursue a doctorate in drinking water treatment.
Tarver is in his first year as a doctoral student in chemical engineering advised by Dr. Lynn Loo and Dr. Adam Heller. His research in conductive polymers will advance the study of biotechnology such as pacemakers, making them more affordable.
Prinda Wanakule, an undergraduate at the University of Florida, and David Kryscio, a master’s degree student at the University of Kentucky, will attend the university in Fall 2007.
Wanakule will pursue a Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering. Her interests are in drug development, drug delivery and tissue engineering. She hopes her research will “provide better treatment methods with fewer side effects and less invasive treatments.”
Kryscio received his bachelor’s in chemical engineering from in May 2006 and will complete his master’s degree in June 2007. He plans to focus on bioengineering and advanced materials.
Two current UT students are remaining at the university to earn graduate degrees.
Jessica Williams is in her first year as a master’s degree student in aerospace engineering. Williams has been a member of Aerospace Engineering Professor Glenn Lightsey’s research group since fall 2006. She is currently researching topics in relative navigation between on-orbit spacecraft. Her research in orbital mechanics and relative navigation in space will advance space missions involving several vehicles.
Katharine Harrison received her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at the University of California San Diego and just finished her master’s degree in mechanical engineering (thermal fluids focus area). She is a doctoral student in materials science under mechanical engineering Professors Arumugan Manthiram and Jeremy Meyers researching battery materials to advance fuel cell and battery technology.
Four university undergraduates are going to various universities across the nation to pursue graduate degrees.
Christine Tower, a senior in mechanical engineering, will be attending Stanford University for graduate study in nanoscale sensors for mechanical measurements.
Adrianne Rosales, a senior in chemical engineering, plans to attend the University of California at Berkeley for a doctorate in chemical engineering. Her research will focus on creating biomaterials compatible with the human body or external environment.
Kassandra Thomson, a senior in biomedical engineering, will begin her doctoral work in bioengineering at the University of Washington in the fall of 2007. She plans to research engineering cardiac tissue to improve treatment for heart disease.
Brittany Bradshaw, a senior in the biomedical engineering program, will attend the University of Washington in Seattle this fall to earn a Ph.D. in bioengineering. Her research interests include cardiovascular tissue engineering.
The National Science Foundation aims to promote research in fields that align with their mission. Applicants must submit a transcript, reference letters and a series of research-based essays.
