2024-2025

American Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship 

Michael Dooley is a 3rd year Applied Chemistry PhD student. Through the American Scandinavian Foundation’s reserach fellowship award, Michael will research pollutants at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute in Oslo, Norway for 6 months. In collaboration with Dr. Hans Peter Arp and ZeroPM, an EU-funded consortium, Michael will work towards addressing pollutants from all angles with the goal of achieving zero persistent and mobile substances in our environment. Michael’s research project is titled “Advancing U.S. Pollution Research and Policy: Predicting Transport Properties in Norway.” In his career, Michael aims to continuing researching pollutants in a university or government agency setting.

DAAD RISE Research Awards in German

Kendra Vaz is a Rising Junior in Mechanical Engineering. Through the DAAD RISE award, Kendra has the opportunity to conduct funded research on simulations for yield surfaces of spinodoid metamaterials using numerical homogenization techniques in Dresden, Germany over the course of Summer 2025.

Ryan Voss is a Computational and Applied Mathematics undergraduate student.  Through the DAAD RISE award, Ryan has the opportunity to conduct funded research in the Computational Biology department at the Universität Duisburg-Essen over the course of Summer 2025. 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Isabella “Is” Chittumuri is a PhD student in the Applied Mathematics and Statistics department at Mines. According to Is, “This award will allow me to conduct research in Hornafjörður, Iceland, focusing on climate-induced vulnerabilities affecting glacier-based tourism and the surrounding community. Through Geographic Information Systems and Machine Learning, I plan to analyze risk factors and predict future climate scenarios. This research is expected to take place over nine months, starting in the Fall of 2025, and will provide insights for climate adaptation strategies that can benefit glacier-dependent communities globally.”

Is aspires to build a career as a climate resilience researcher, focusing on the intersection of data science, environmental policy, and community adaptation. 

Nadia Schreiber is a M.S. student studying Hydrology at Mines who also received her B.S. in Computer Science from Mines. Through her Fulbright grant, Nadia will research solutions to desertification in Marrakesh, Morocco in collaboration with the High Atlas Foundation, a non-profit that plants trees and supports communities by healing the land and uplifting women. According to Nadia, “By collecting field data at numerous farms in southern Morocco, I can ensure the trees are being planted in a sustainable way that recharges the groundwater and prevents the spread of the Sahara desert. This project is particularly valuable to me as a Moroccan-American. Fulbright has given me the opportunity to connect deeper with my heritage while working on my dream project.”

Nadia plans to pursue a PhD focused on groundwater recharge and regenerative agriculture, and dedicate her life to restoring harmony between humans and nature.

Camila Graduated with from Mines with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering and an M.S. in Advanced Energy Systems (2023). She will be serving as an English Teaching Assistant in South Korea. According to Camila, “I hope to use this opportunity to learn more about another culture while growing in my professional career path. I will expand my skillset and to hopefully continue teaching in the future!”

Gilman Scholarship

Mohammed Hussein Eldai is an Petroleum Engineering undergraduate student. According to Mohammed, “This scholarship will allow me to participate in academic and cultural activities while conducting research focused on sustainable energy. The program is scheduled to take place during Spring 2025, and I’m excited to deepen my understanding of the region and its role in global energy while advancing my academic and professional goals.”

Masun Thomas is a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate student. According to Masun, “I intend to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, with an aspiration to serve others. When I first came to Mines, I quickly committed to the idea of studying abroad, knowing it would enrich my college experience and allow me to stand out among my peers. I grew up traveling, and hope to bring international travel into my future as an engineer and leader of my community. I feel blessed by the opportunities this will allow for me as I study abroad. By accepting the Gilman scholarship, I will have the opportunity to bring more awareness to my peers about the life-changing opportunities this and other programs bring.”

Goldwater Scholarship

Caitlyn Castellion is a sophomore in Chemistry with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. In the future, Caitlyn plans to pursue a PhD in Chemistry focused on biomaterials and to work in academia conducting research on gene therapeutics for autoimmune disorders. In addition to Goldwater, Caitlyn has earned multiple competitive research grants, including an NIH grant and Mines’ First-Year Innovation and Scholar Training (FIRST) fellowship. Dr. Ramya Kumar, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, is Caitlyn’s primary research mentor.

Marco Salgado is a junior in Chemical Engineering. In the future, Marco plans to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering and work in academia researching electrochemical systems, particularly fuel cells for energy storage. Marco has participated in the MURF, SURF, and FIRST programs, as well as serving as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador. In the Herring Lab, Marco leads a vertically integrated project (VIP) team of nine undergraduate students. Dr. Andrew Herring, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives, is Marco’s primary research mentor.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)

Kaylyn Buchanan is PhD student in Mechanical Engineering.

According to Kaylyn, “Ever since I was in third grade, I knew that I wanted to be an engineer. More specifically, I’ve always wanted to work with energy conversion systems for power generation and propulsion applications.

With the help of this NDSEG Fellowship, I will be able to continue my academic career through research by working to understand the fundamental physics of combustion systems through high-speed optical and laser diagnostics — especially in high-speed propulsion systems.

This will enable the design of more efficient systems, which is a critical step toward ensuring U.S. dominance in energy resilience and energy security.”

Max Kephart is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering.

Kephart, who earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering at Mines in 2024, conducts research in the Extreme Structures and Materials (XSTRM) Laboratory led by Associate Professor Leslie Lamberson, where he investigates the dynamic behavior of additively manufactured functionally graded materials (FGMs) under extreme thermal and loading environments. His NDSEG-funded research will focus on understanding how internal defects such as pores in stainless steel-Inconel FGMs affect mechanical performance during high strain-rate events ranging from cold arctic to high-temperature nuclear conditions — critical for national defense readiness.

Helen Chaffee is a PhD student in Materials Science. 

The NDSEG fellowship will fund Helen’s PhD research on high-entropy thermoelectric materials, attaempting to understand the fundamental physics behind their unique thermal and electrical properties.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF-GRF)

Brooke Downing is a 2nd year Materials Science PhD student at Mines. Brooke is focused on piezoelectrics, materials that convert between electrical potential to mechanical strain. According to Brooke, “Many people unknowingly interface with piezoelectrics everyday through phones, lighters, medical equipment, and much more. My work is on alternative ways to process these materials to increase functionality.” 

Wakana Kani, a senior majoring in chemical and biological engineering, will pursue a PhD in chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. At Mines, she worked in the research group of Ramya Kumar, assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering. Her research interests lie in cellular engineering and drug delivery.

Aryn  Loew is a Ceramic Engineering student graduating with a Bachelor of Science in May 2025. Aryn also received the competitive Clarendon Scholarship for full-funding to Oxford University, where she will pursue a DPhil in Materials Science.”

According to Aryn, “I love research and plan to continue my education by getting a DPhil (PhD) at the University of Oxford in Materials Science as a Clarendon Scholar. I am excited to be working on the synthesis and characterization of recyclable ceramic fibers for applications in water purification.”

Cailyn Smith, a senior majoring in computer science, will be pursuing a PhD in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on human-robot interaction. At Mines, she worked in the MIRRORLab with Computer Science Associate Professor Tom Williams. “I am especially interested in how robots can more effectively explain their behavior to human collaborators and align their actions with human goals,” Smith said. “I hope to explore how explainable AI and mental model alignment can foster more trustworthy and effective interactions between humans and robots.”

Isaac Spackman, a PhD student in applied chemistry, is working with Shubham Vyas, professor of chemistry.

“I’m working to better understand how we can break down pollution in the environment to make cleanup efforts more efficient and scalable. Specifically, I study how certain harmful chemicals – PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ – break down over time. These chemicals create short-lived, reactive byproducts during degradation, and I use a combination of quantum chemical modeling and magnetic resonance experiments to detect and monitor them,” Spackman said. “My goal is to ensure that the energy we put into destroying these pollutants actually drives useful chemical reactions toward less harmful products.”

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) DoD Scholarship

Sabrina is a Chemical Engineering student graduating with her Bachelor of Science in May 2025.

The DOD SMART Scholarship supports Sabrina in pursuing a Master’s in Chemical Engineering at Mines and her subsequent work at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia as a process engineer.

According to Sabrina, “In my work for the DoD in Georgia, I hope to learn and grow as a chemical engineer. My future goals involve becoming a professional engineer and someday owning my own business. One of the major areas of support that I received for this scholarship was from Ashley Weibel from the Office of NCS. She not only helped me find the scholarship but aided me in the application process which made receiving this scholarship possible. I would also like to thank my recommenders, who included included Dr. Tracy Gardner (CBE Department), Dr. Michael Barankin (CBE Department), and Dr. Neal Sullivan (Mechanical Engineering Department).” 

Jamie is a Mechanical Engineering student graduating with her Bachelor of Science in May 2027. She is also a first-generation college student.

The DOD SMART Scholarship supports Jamie in funding the remaining years of her Bachelor’s degree and her subsequent work at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in Colorado Springs. In her career, Jamie aspires to work in the aerospace engineering industry. She also plans to continue to work toward her pilot’s license.

According to Jamie, “The DOD SMART scholarship enables me to focus on my education and career advancement, while also guaranteeing a role at MDA after my education. I absolutely did not expect to receive this scholarship, but despite that, I got it. Don’t doubt yourself!”

Kadyn is a 3rd year PhD studetn in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on energetic materials research. 

The DOD SMART Scholarship will fund the remainder of Kadyn’s PhD and allow him to transition directly into employment with the Department of Defense upon graduation. 

According to Kadyn, “Once I have completed my PhD, the SMART program allows me to begin employment as a scientist at a DoD facility. During that time, I plan to establish a career focused on improving the ability of our servicemembers to safeguard our country.”

Ryan is a first-year PhD student in Robotics. Ryan was awarded a DOD SMART scholarship by the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron in Kihei, Maui, HI, which will fund his PhD in Robotics, allowing him to continue doing lunar rover research at Mines. 

According to Ryan, “This was only possible with support from my advisor Dr. Frankie Zhu, and all my Robotic Space Exploration (RoSE) Lab peers at Mines. Getting involved with this lab and working on lunar robotics projects has been a huge asset during the application process, and I suggest students interested in space applications explore what the Space Resources and Robotics programs have to offer! After graduation, I will be performing space domain awareness (SDA) research and operations on Maui with the 15th SPSS for the USSF and AFRL, enabling the responsible shared-use of space by the international community and protecting our national interests in space.”

Gunnar is a rising senior majoring in Statistics. Gunnar was awarded a DOD SMART scholarship, which will fund his remaining years in Mines’ 4+1 B.S./M.S. in Statistics (B.S.) and Data Science (M.S.). 

According to Gunnar, “Throughout the application process, I was able to find potential pathways to apply my academic knowledge to specific activities or interests from the government.” In his career, Gunnar plans to work in the field of AI and to create new technology for the government and the safety of everyone.

2023-2024

Boren Scholarship

Richard is an undergraduate student in Design Engineering with a focus on Corporate Sustainability. He will travel to Japan during academic year 2024-2025 to study Japanese. For Richard, “it has been a goal of mine to study abroad during college and it is a dream come true to finally do it in my last year at Mines. I am excited to delve further into this topic and lay the foundation for my career goals in the public sector.” Richard aspires to serve as a Foreign Affairs Officer in the Indo-Pacific region and to work in a government intelligence agency, and his Boren Award sets him on the path for expertise in this region. 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Carmen is a Biogeochemistry PhD student  at Mines. Through the Fulbright grant and in collaboration with the Institute of Conservation and Biodiversity at the Universidad Austral de Chile in Chile, Carmen proposes a study to quantify environmentally mobile and bioaccessable metals in ash from Chilean wildfires and structure fires that can impact human and environmental health. Through this research project, Carmen hopes to improve understanding of metal mobilization in wildfire prone environments, thereby informing safety protocols for first responders and communities, as well as quantify the contamination potential of ash to local resources such as drinking water and agricultural areas. 

Gilman Scholarship

Pamela Banuelos is a rising senior in the Chemical & Biological Engineering department.  She will conduct an international research internship at the University of Augsburg in Augsburg, Germany during the summer of 2024. According to Pamela, “I am very excited to be an engineer abroad and to gain research experience while also traveling the world and getting to experience a new culture.” 

Ari’jaye (Ari) Derritt is a rising sophomore in the Computer Science department. She will study abroad in Ireland in the summer of 2024. Ari will have the opportunity to travel around Ireland, while also completing required coursework toward her degree in Computer Science while abroad. According to Ari, “I am most excited about expanding my horizons and meeting new people.” 

Isobel McGivney is a rising senior in the Applied Mathematics and Statistics department. She was offered a Gilman Scholarhip for a study abroad program at the Institute of Mathematics within the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. While Isobel decided to accept an internship offer and thus declined the Gilman Scholarship, she hopes to study abroad in the future.  

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) DoD Scholarship

Gonzalez is currently studying Environmental Engineering at Mines. He will graduate with his B.S. in May 2026 and with his M.S. in May 2027. After graduation Gonzalez will work at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast (NAVFAC Southeast) in the Environmental Operations division in Jacksonville, Florida. 

This award provides students with full tuition for up to five years, mentorship, summer internships, a stipend and full-time employment with the DoD after graduation. This unique opportunity offers students hands-on experience at one of over 200 innovative laboratories across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and larger DoD. During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills.