UC Davis Students Among NSF Graduate Research Fellows

Earlier this week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) named 2,000 individuals as this year's recipients of awards from its Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The program offers fellowships to applicants selected through a national competition.

16 current UC Davis students are among the 2017-2018 Graduate Research Fellows. An additional, 21 graduate students received honorable mentions.

The 2017-2018 NSF Graduate Research Fellows at UC Davis include:

• Amy Becker, Biomedical Engineering
• Judy Chung, Ecology
• Travis Gildner, Mechanical Engineering
• ​Rongkui Han, Integrative Genetics and Genomics
• Lauren Mae Hennelly, Ecology
• Peter Henry, Plant Pathology
• ​Maika Malig, Integrative Genetics and Genomics
• ​Yusuke Ota, Psychology
• Daniela Rodriguez-Zaccaro, Plant Biology
• Jessica Rudnik, Ecology
• Clara Stuligross, Ecology
• Rebecca Holloman Walker, Ecology
• Sara Watson, Anthropology
• ​Elaheh White, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Benjamin Wigman, Chemistry
• Donald Williams, Animal Behavior

Awardees are chosen from over 13,000 applicants across wide range of scientific disciplines and geographic region. This year’s cohort of  awardees is diverse, including 1,158 women, 498 individuals from underrepresented minority groups, 75 persons with disabilities, 26 veterans and 726 undergraduate seniors.

"This early-career support from NSF will help nurture innovation in many of UC Davis’ rising stars in STEM," said Prasant Mohapatra, Vice Provost of Graduate Education and Dean of Graduate Studies. "These talented students represent some of the most promising scientist, engineers, and innovators in the nation."

For more information on the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship program, visit nsf.gov.

About Graduate Studies at UC Davis

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes 99 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options – bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.

UC Davis master’s and doctoral graduates become leaders in their fields – researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. Graduates go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit grad.ucdavis.edu.