Whether on the cusp of graduating with their bachelor’s degree or in their first years of graduate school, recipients of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF-GRFP) are preparing to be leaders in their fields.
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is to ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific workforce of the United States. It recognizes and supports outstanding students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, including STEM education. Recipients revieve full funding for up to three years of graduate studies, giving them freedom to focus on research.
This year, five USF students were selected for the fellowship – two graduating seniors and three current graduate students.
Graduating Seniors
Daniela Zamora Alviarez, College of Engineering
Graduate Institution: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, PhD Materials Science and Engineering
Zamora Alviarez’s research centers on the potential of 2D materials to shape a new generation of energy efficient computing technologies, motivated by the need to confront the growing energy demands of AI. She was also recently selected as USF’s Ralph C. Wilcox Outstanding Graduate.
Brinley Jordan, College of Engineering
Graduate Institution: Duke University, PhD Mechanical Engineering
As an undergraduate, Jordan focused on building and optimizing a low‑cost, energy‑efficient pultrusion machine to recycle plastic bottles into high‑quality 3D printing filament. In her graduate studies, she will work on advanced metal additive manufacturing, sustainable energy, and AI‑driven optimization.
Both Zamora Alviarez and Jordan also received the USF Golden Bull Award and the GEM Fellowship, another nationally prestigious award for STEM graduate studies.
Graduate Students
Kennedy Hart, College of Arts and Sciences
PhD Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Advised by Dr. Tammy Allen, from the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, Hart conducts research in occupational health psychology. Her proposal investigates the issue of employee loneliness amid changing work arrangements.
Anthony Gross, College of Marine Science
Master of Marine Sciences
Gross researches chemical contaminants, like pesticides and PFAS (forever chemicals) and biological pathogens, like norovirus and Vibrio bacteria, in Eastern oysters here in Tampa Bay, Florida. His work is a part of a larger project at USF College of Marine Science called the Tampa Bay Surveillance Project.
Faith Coris, College of Engineering
Master of Electrical Engineering
Coris plans to focus on advancing antenna array design and additive manufacturing technologies to develop practical, high-quality imaging systems. Coris started working as an REU student during her bachelor’s degree with Dr. Gokhan Mumcu, a faculty member in the College of Engineering, and will continue working with him as the primary advisor. She has also been co-advised by Dr. Stavros Vakalis, also from the College of Engineering, and Dr. Jing Wang, from the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.
Honorable Mention
Ally Rose Jones – Master of Integrative Biology
Students interested in applying for the NSF-GRFP should reach out to the Office of National Scholarships for guidance.