Students Selected for the 2021 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University graduate students have been selected for the 2021 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which recognizes outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Five of these selected students are advised by McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty members:

Annie Behre, a PhD student conducting research regarding 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering. (PI: Adam Feinberg, PhD)
Hannah Geisler, a bioengineering undergrad, performed research to investigate the fluid-handling capabilities of a 3D-printed peristaltic pump for application in cell-free protein synthesis systems. The overarching goal of the project was to design a microfluidic system capable of controlled, rapid SARS-COV-2 protein synthesis for downstream production of protein-based COVID-19 assays and therapeutics. (PI: Warren Ruder, PhD)
Pete Gueldner, a bioengineering graduate student, uses novel experimental and computational techniques to analyze the biomechanics of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The central goal is to reduce the risk of patients by leveraging artificial intelligence tools on large clinical imaging datasets which will aid in the improvement of the clinical standards as well as overall patient health. (PI: David Vorp, PhD)
Cecilia Padilla is currently a 1st year PhD student. Her research focuses on the development of tissue-based, biofabricated lungs. (PI: Keith Cook, PhD)
Kevin Pietz, a bioengineering undergraduate, performed research that involved engineering stem cell-derived pancreatic islets using alginate encapsulation and islet-on-a-chip systems. The goal is to develop a long-term microphysiological culture system for studying type 2 diabetes. (PI: Ipsita Banerjee, PhD)

Honorable Mention:

Marissa Behun, a bioengineering graduate student, aims to better understand the way in which macrophage phenotypes change with age following a skeletal muscle injury. (PI: Bryan Brown, PhD)

The prestigious award provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. Its overall goal is to recruit individuals into STEM fields and to broaden participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

Since its inception in 1952, the GRFP has supported more than 60,000 graduate students nationwide. The NSF expects to award 1,600 Graduate Research Fellowships overall. Fellows are provided a $34,000 stipend and $12,000 cost-of-education allowance each year.

Congratulations, all!

Illustration: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.