Chemical Engineering graduating seniors, Anne D. Crowell and Maria V. Guevara, were awarded with the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (NSF GRFP). Avi K. Matarasso was recognized with an Honorable Mention.
The fellowship program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. The reputation of the GRFP follows recipients and often helps them become life-long leaders who contribute significantly to both scientific innovation and teaching.
Anne D. Crowell is a senior in the Department of Chemical Engineering, graduating in May 2019. “While at UF, undergraduate research has been one of the most enriching experiences in which I have participated,” Anne said. Her current research project, on which she has worked as part of the University Scholars Program led by Professor Jason Butler, examines DNA purification in microfluidic devices. Recently, Anne was selected as the Outstanding Gator Engineering Four-Year Scholar, and she received an award for excellence in research in the Department of Chemical Engineering. As a student at UF, she has also been involved with new student orientation, along with the Honors Program’s admissions, its outreach to prospective students, and its participation in the annual conference for the National Collegiate Honors Council. In the Fall, Anne will begin a chemical engineering Ph.D. program at the University of Texas at Austin.
Maria V. Guevara is a senior in the Department of Chemical Engineering, graduating in May 2019. “The interdisciplinary nature of the University of Florida offered me opportunities to explore research areas outside of traditional chemical engineering, which ultimately lead me to bioengineering,” Maria said. As an undergraduate student, she did research on the effects of airway acidification on pulmonary diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis. In fall 2019, Maria will be joining the chemical engineering department of the University of Michigan. She will join Professor Fei Wen’s research group to develop virus-mimicking particles to treat the influenza virus. As an NSF fellow, Maria is excited to have the opportunity to create opportunities to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM and engineering education, as well as performing groundbreaking research.
The NSF accords Honorable Mention to meritorious applicants who do not receive Fellowship awards. ChE student, Avi Matarasso, received Honorable Mention. This is considered a significant national academic achievement.
Avi K. Matarasso is a senior in the Department of Chemical Engineering, graduating in May 2019. He plans to attend the University of Washington to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioengineering focusing on neural engineering. “Working in the lab has helped me get in my career. I have gained experiences from research at the Department of Energy, which helped me publish and get the experience of research full-time,” said Avi.
We are proud of our students being honored with this prestigious award.
