Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students and graduates of The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have been accepted into the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowships Program. According to the NSF, the program welcomes applications from individuals who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM or in STEM Education and who meet the eligibility requirements.
The Graduate Research Fellowships Program (GRFP) fellowships last five years and include three years of an annual stipend of $34,000 and an education allowance of $12,000 to the fellow’s academic institution.
“The GRFP provides a remarkable opportunity for our most promising science graduate students,” UTEP Provost John Wiebe said in a statement. “These students have competed with the best in the nation for this highly prestigious prize. Their success reflects well on them, on their mentors, and on UTEP’s status as a major research institution that is training the next generation of leaders in science.”
The 2021 awardees of the National Science Foundation’s GRFP join more than 40 UTEP students and alumni who have received this award since 2010. Clockwise from top left are David Esparza, Alma Idali Hernández, Rubyann Olmos, Gerardo Estrada Zavala, Sebastian Vargas, and Arturo Rodriguez. (Photo courtesy of UTEP)
David Esparza is a doctoral student in ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell. He earned his bachelor’s degree at UTEP in biological sciences with a minor in psychology.
Alma Idali Hernández expects to earn her bachelor’s in microbiology in spring 2021 and continue her education at the University of New Hampshire. She plans to pursue her Ph.D. in ecosystem science at the University of New Hampshire.
Rubyann Olmos is a master’s student in physics who earned her bachelor’s in physics in 2020. She’s enrolled in UTEP’s Graduate School.
Gerardo Estrada Zavala is a doctoral student in chemical biology at Harvard who earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in biomedical engineering.
Sebastian Vargas is in pursuit of his master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He earned his bachelor’s degree in the same subject with a minor in mathematics in 2020. He is enrolled in UTEP’s Graduate School.
Arturo Rodriguez is a doctoral student in mechanical engineering and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2020. He is also enrolled in UTEP’s Graduate School.
“We are excited to see six current and former UTEP students among this year’s NSF GRFP awardees,” said Melanie Meinzer, Ph.D., director of UTEP’s Office of Student Fellowships and Awards. “UTEP has a strong record of preparing NSF GRFP applicants – a total of 44 UTEP students and alumni have received this prestigious award since 2010.”
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university and recognized as one of the best research universities in the country for connecting students with the community around them.
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