Six Elon alumni selected as NSF Graduate Research Fellows

Six Elon alumni have received National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships to support their research-based degrees in STEM fields.

The foundation awarded the fellowships to 2,000 people from among 16,500 applicants. Elon alumni who received the fellowships are:

• Kileigh Browning ’12, who graduated with degrees in environmental and ecological sciences and biostatistics. She is conducting research in ecology at Michigan State University, where she is pursuing a doctorate in forestry.
• David Jonathan Muñoz ’12, who graduated with a degree in environmental and ecological sciences. He is conducting research in ecology at Pennsylvania State University, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science.
• Jamie Albright ’13, who graduated with a degree in public health. She is conducting research in developmental psychology at the University of Virginia, where she is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology.
• Kelsey Marie Van Dalfsen ’13, who graduated with a biochemistry degree. She is conducting cell biology research at the University of California-Berkeley, where she is a graduate student.
• Christine Marie Dierk ’14, who graduated with degrees in mathematics and computer science. She is conducting research related to human computer interaction at the University of California-Berkeley, where she is pursuing a doctorate in the same topic.
• Jeff Adam Stern ’14, who graduated with a degree in information science. He is conducting research on technology education at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, where he is pursuing a doctorate in information and learning technology.

Two other alumni, Thomason William Price ’13 and Alexander Wilhelm Bruch ’14, received honorable mentions. Price is pursuing a doctorate in computer science at N.C. State University, while Bruch is pursuing a doctorate in electrical engineering at Yale University.

Since 1952, NSF has provided fellowships to individuals selected early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant achievements in science and engineering. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is a critical program in NSF’s overall strategy to develop the globally-engaged workforce necessary to ensure the nation’s leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation.