Megan Killian
Degree: PhD
"I have set high goals to compete in fifty marathons, in fifty states, before I turn fifty. what better way to see this beautiful country and stay fit and heathy? I am concerned, however, about the health of my joints, especially my knees; my grandmother has already have revisions on her total knee arthroplasty at the age of 65. Is osteoarthritis inevitable? Is it in my genes?"
Like her advisor, Tammy Haut Donahue, Megan believes asking these types of questions leads to quality research that is meaningful because it cerates a future where osteoarthritis may be slowed- or even prevented.
Rüdiger P. Escobar Wolf
Degree: PhD, NSF Earth Science Division Award
Rudy, as we like to call him, is changing the world on volcanic ash particle at a time.
His research interest in hazard mitigation started in his hometown of Guatemala and has since taken Rudy from Ecuador to Spain; and most recently to Iceland. in collaboration with William Rose and fifty other scientists from around the globe, Rudy is helping devise meteorological forecasting tools that will, in the future, allow the world to better address the serious hazards of fin volcanic ash.
Kari Brown
Degree: PhD, GEM Fellowship, NSBE Scholars Fellowship, King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship
With a research focus on engineering education, Kari's goal is "simple but challenging: to increase the number of minority students in the engineering discipline."
As a female minority engineering student and a first-generation college student, Kari Brown is passionate about outreach to underprivileged and historically-underrepresented groups in technical fields. "I want to stand before inner-city students as proof that they do not have to be products of their environment. It is possible to rise above."
Mark Griep
Degree: PhD, NSF Graduate Fellowship
It is an understatement to say that Mark is "engrossed in small matters in a big way." It is an understatement to say that Mark is "engrossed in small matters in a big way." His quick-response nano-senor, possibly instantaneous, has led to a multidisciplinary approach to his research. "Like most cutting-edge research, nanotechnology research occurs at the intersection of many engineering disciplines."
"If you think outside the boundaries, the door to opportunity is always open."
Valerie Fuchs
Degree: PhD, NSF Graduate Fellowship
Valerie is creating a more sustainable future by providing data on how soil and vegetation types affect water treatment.
As a NSF fellowship recipient, Valerie researches wastewater treatment and the benefits of decentralized treatment technologies and management. Her work focuses on technologies that parallel natural systems, especially constructed wetlands.
When she isn't in the lab figuring out how to clean up dirty water, Valerie enjoys running, biking and swimming . . . especially in triathlons when she get to do one right after the other.