Seven Students and Recent Graduates Offered NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

Seven students and recent graduates from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have been offered National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships to encourage their diverse talents in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship helps ensure the quality, vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $16,000 allowance for tuition and fees paid to the institution.

"Congratulations to this accomplished group of NSF-GRFP recipients," said Dixie Thompson, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. "This program helps support exceptional students who conduct cutting-edge research with the help of their faculty mentors. Having such a large group of students participating in the NSF-GRFP is one measure of the high-quality research happening at UT."

Meet the recipients

Charles Bell of Dalton, Georgia, graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Science in physics and a minor in math.

Bell's research focuses on searching for particles beyond the Standard Model, which is the particle physics theory describing three of the four known fundamental forces in the universe and classifying all known elementary particles. In particular, he plans to look for particles that would decay to dark matter.

"I am honored to be selected for the NSF-GRFP," said Bell. "The fellowship will allow me to kick-start my research immediately."

Lawrence Lee, assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been his primary advisor and mentor.

Jonah Bullen of Maryville, Tennessee, is a master's student in anthropology.

Bullen's research focuses on using microscopic silica bodies found in fungi to study Indigenous pre-contact foodways and environmental management in North America. He has worked closely with Kandace Hollenbach, associate professor and associate head of the Department of Anthropology and associate curator of paleoethnobotany for UT's McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.

"Being awarded the NSF-GRFP is at the apex of my academic journey thus far, playing a pivotal role in my graduate study and career aspirations," said Bullen. "Though I am grateful for this recognition, I attribute this milestone to the dedicated guidance provided to me by professors and graduate student mentors, as I firmly believe that this accomplishment is as much theirs as it is mine."

His faculty mentor has been Alison Damick, manager of the Laboratory of Environmental Archaeology.

Gage Coon of Waverly, Tennessee, graduated in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences, a concentration in microbiology and a minor in Hispanic studies.

Coon is currently researching microbial carbon capture as a doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, using microbes to turn atmospheric carbon dioxide into rocks to mitigate climate change.

"I look forward to being at the forefront of climate change research while supported by my NSF-GRFP," said Coon.

He worked with Karen Lloyd, an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, during his time at UT.

Trenton Henderson of Spring Hill, Tennessee, is a PhD student in aerospace engineering with an interdisciplinary graduate minor in computational science.

Henderson's research focuses on improving the accuracy and reducing the cost of computational fluid dynamics simulations for aircraft design. He is exploring new avenues for integrating deep reinforcement learning into the aircraft design process and developing new methods for curved mesh adaptation.

"I am honored to be an NSF Fellow," said Henderson. "Having grown up in a small community where I was consistently fighting for access to opportunities, I feel a sense of belonging in the scientific community to be recognized by NSF. Possessing the freedom and financial support to pursue any research topic of interest is also a privilege I could have never dreamed of."

He credits Devina Sanjaya, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, for helping him navigate the world of academic research.

Samuel Wilhelm of Aledo, Texas, is a PhD student in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Wilhelm's research focuses on documenting the diversity of wild bees in Tennessee and the ecological factors that are important for their conservation.

"I am honored to receive the NSF-GRFP, an award that will allow me to comfortably expand my research agenda as a graduate student," said Wilhelm. "This award will be foundational for my career as a scientist studying the ecology and conservation of wild bees. I am thrilled that through this award I can take on new projects and further contribute to investigating the many unknowns that pervade our understanding of wild bee biology."

He is thankful for his mentor, Laura Russo, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

The sixth student selected wishes to remain anonymous. The final award is pending student acceptance.

UT seniors interested in applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program should contact Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Graduate students are encouraged to work with their departmental supervisors.

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Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, [email protected])

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