April 24, 2024

We're excited to announce that three Drexel students and recent alumni received the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and STEM education fields. GRFP provides up to three years of support for individuals with potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research.

We're very proud of these students, who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to their research. We also extend our thanks to the nearly 30 faculty members who helped Drexel’s GRFP candidates strengthen their applications by contributing feedback during the campus anonymous review process this year, as well as to the many faculty who supported candidates through mentorship and letters of support. Special thanks go to Drs. Fei Lu, Sean O'Donnell, Carol Artlett, Rick McCourt, Bakhtier Farouk, and Shelby Rinehart, who offered insight at our GRFP Reviewer Q&A in the fall.

Nicholas DeFilippis
BS mathematics & computer science '22, honors
Graduate Institution: New York University

Nick graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelors of Science in both Mathematics and Computer Science, and a minor in astrophysics. He is currently a graduate student at the Center for Atmosphere Ocean Science at New York University studying internal waves with Professors Shafer Smith and Oliver Bühler. During his time at Drexel he investigated the Kuramoto model with Professors Gideon Simpson and Georgi Medvedev. He also worked with Professor Shari Moskow on the Inverse Born Series, and with Professor Vasilis Gkatzelis on auction design.

As an undergraduate, Nick was involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and as a 2018 STAR Scholar.

Marley Downes
BS/MS materials science & engineering '24
Graduate Institution: University of Chicago

Marley is a fifth-year student in the BS/MS program studying materials science and engineering with a minor in mathematics. She does research with Dr. Yury Gogotsi in the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute studying a novel type of nanomaterial: MXenes. She also works as a Materials Ambassador, helping mentor incoming students in her department and foster a welcoming environment. After Drexel, she hopes to continue her research career by pursuing a Ph.D.

Marley has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program, the STAR Scholars Program and Velay Fellows, the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program, and as an Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant recipient.

Vivian Tian
MA digital media '25

Vivian Tian is a master's student in the Digital Media program and a graduate researcher at the Entrepreneurial Game Studio. Their current research lies at the intersection of discomfort design, pervasive gaming, and critical reflection, with attention to considerations of player equity.

The NSF Graduate Research 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 United States 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. Fellows share in the prestige and opportunities that become available when they are selected. Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend along with a cost of education allowance for tuition and fees, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education they choose.

NSF Fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals are crucial to maintaining and advancing the nation's technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well-being of society at large.

For more information about the NSF GRFP, visit nsfgrfp.org. To learn more about applying for this award through Drexel, please email fellowships@drexel.edu.