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The Graduate Research Fellowship recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in a wide variety of science-related disciplines

The National Science Foundation has awarded 27 University of Colorado Boulder students with the prestigious graduate research fellowship, which places the university in the top 15 nationwide in terms of number awarded, the federal agency announced last week.

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes outstanding graduate students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, paving the way for their continued work exploring some of the most complex and pressing issues of our time.

This year’s recipients of the five-year fellowship represent a wide swath of disciplines, spanning paleontology to robotics. Each GRFP recipient will receive three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, as well as professional development and research opportunities.

“We are thrilled to see so many of our students recognized by NSF through these fellowships,” said Massimo Ruzzene, vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes. “With so many highly regarded graduate programs at CU Boulder, it is no surprise that we are consistently among the leading university recipients of these awards. I want to congratulate each of these students for their accomplishments so far and for the positive impact they will have through these fellowships.”

Of those 27 winners, 50% participated in a workshop or information session organized by the Graduate School, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. These included specialized writing workshops, coaching sessions and general informational sessions about applying for the GRFP.

"This year’s continued success in securing NSF GRFPs alongside the nation’s top graduate schools is not only a testament to our extraordinary graduate students at CU, but also the Graduate School’s approach to cultivating talent with our campus partners and tremendously supportive faculty,” said E. Scott Adler, dean of the Graduate School and the vice provost for graduate affairs. “We are very proud of the outstanding students who have been recognized for this highly competitive fellowship.”

This year’s recipients include:

• Emma Aldrich, chemical and biological engineering
• Victoria Avery, astrophysical and planetary sciences
• Timotej Bernat, chemical and biological engineering
• Ethan Carr, geography
• Zoe Cruse, chemical and biological engineering
• Connor Diaz, geological sciences
• Bryan Durham, aerospace engineering sciences
• Mikaela Felix, aerospace engineering sciences
• Kyle Fisch, chemistry
• Kaylie Flores, ecology and evolutionary biology
• Shantae Gallegos, biomedical engineering
• Dylan Hamilton, materials science and engineering
• Abigail Hartley, astrophysical and planetary sciences
• Olivia Irvin, chemical and biological engineering
• Catherine Leszcz, aerospace engineering sciences
• Ryan Menges, aerospace engineering sciences
• Dylan Meyer, electrical, computer and energy engineering
• Sara Padula, ecology and evolutionary biology
• Madeline Pernat, civil engineering
• David Saeb, chemical and biological engineering
• Aliza Siddiqui, electrical, computer and energy engineering
• Caleb Song, mechanical engineering
• Ashlee Stratton, geological sciences
• Katherine Trese, chemical and biological engineering
• William Xie, computer science
• Raquel Yupanqui, computer science
• Mobeen Zahid, ecology and evolutionary biology

In addition to the fellowship award winners, 17 students were recognized with an honorable mention.