7 Syracuse University Students Recognized by the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program
This year, 7 Syracuse University undergraduates and graduate students received recognition from the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). This is the largest number of Syracuse University students recognized by this program in the last five years.
Applicants are either offered an award--a five-year fellowship that includes three years of significant financial support--or an Honorable Mention. One student received an award and six were recognized with Honorable Mentions:
Award Recipient:
Kerrin O'Grady '25 - B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience
Honorable Mentions:
Curtis Cline '24 - Ph.D. student in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Michael Donato '25 - B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Nico O'Neill '25 - B.S. in Physics
Maya Philipp - Ph.D. in Biology
Caroline Plecki - Ph.D. in Biology
Anthony Watt '24 - M.S. in Biomedical Engineering
Donato, O'Neill, and Watt will pursue Ph.D.s in physics, bioengineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering at Syracuse University this fall. O'Grady will pursue her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia.
SU alum Elizabeth SU '24, who was named an NSF GRFP Honorable Mention last year, was offered the full award this application cycle. She is currently pursuing her PhD in biomedical engineering at Purdue University. SU alum Sonja Nusser '24, who is currently pursuing her PhD in Chemistry at Purdue, received an Honorable Mention.
The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. Students are selected based on their plans to advance scientific research and benefit society.
The program typically receives more than 13,000 applications per year, and was scheduled to offer 2,300 awards this cycle. Due to federal funding cuts in the last 3 months, however, only 1,000 applicants were offered an award; roughly 3,000 applicants were awarded Honorable Mentions (an increase of about 1,000 over previous years).
"Our students at Syracuse are some of the best in the country" says Melissa Welshans, assistant director of CFSA, the office that advises applicants on their NSF GRFP applications. "Not only do they seek to improve the world through impactful, cutting-edge research, but also through meaningful service on campus and in the surrounding community." Melissa goes on to add, "These awards are not only a testament to the students, though. They are also made possible by our excellent faculty and staff, who mentor and support student research and community engagement experiences."
The award solicitation for the 2026 fiscal year application should be released in July 2025. If you would like to apply for the award, please email Melissa at mlwelsha@syr.edu.