Four GW doctoral students have been recognized for their academic and research achievements in science and engineering.
Brenton J. Duffy, Yi Jin, Anna Korovina and Jessica Stolee received the ARCS Foundation’s Advancing Science in America scholar awards in a Oct. 21 ceremony at GW. The ceremony was held at the Jack Morton Auditorium and hosted by the university’s Space Policy Institute.
GW President Steven Knapp and Provost Steven Lerman were among those on hand to honor the scholars.
The ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation provides scholarships to academically outstanding students pursuing degrees in science, medicine and engineering. Scholars are selected by representatives of the 52 U.S. academic institutions that the foundation supports, based on strict criteria and recommendations from departmental advisers and faculty.
Doctoral students from the University of Maryland, University of Virginia, John Hopkins University and Georgetown University were also honored at the ceremony.
In his introductory remarks, President Knapp congratulated all 18 awardees and called them the next leaders in “innovation and discovery.”
“You really are the future of the nation and of the world, and I hope the recognition you’re receiving this evening will further spur you in your efforts as you grow as scholars and leaders in all your fields,” said Dr. Knapp. “Congratulations on the work you’ve done, and we all look forward to watching your careers blossom as you continue your work in the sciences, engineering and medical research.”
Mr. Jin, a doctoral candidate in GW’s electrical and computer engineering department, said the ARCS award, has given him “the luxury” of not worrying about finances for graduate school.
“The award has allowed me to focus all of my efforts on my research, which resulted in publishing papers in several top scientific journals and winning the grand prize at the 2009 GW Graduate Student Research and Development Showcase,” said Mr. Jin, who researches the experimental measurements and mathematical modeling of magnetic nanostructures, magnetic recording media, magneto-optical media and magnetostrictive materials.
“I really enjoy the research environment at GW,” he added. “The faculty is always helpful and knowledgeable and GW’s ideal location has provided me opportunities to collaborate with nearby national institutes such as National Institute of Standards and Technology. All of those benefits were vital to my research success.”
Mr. Duffy, a doctoral candidate in GW’s department of mechanical and aerospace engineering, said the ARCS award’s “generous support” allows him to pursue his studies.
He researches spacecraft guidance and control with a focus on the multi-body problem of astrodynamics and low-thrust propulsion.
“The ARCS Foundation is a wonderful organization dedicated to supporting students in science and engineering throughout the nation,” said Mr. Duffy. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to study such an enriching topic here at GW and look forward to continuing my research in the years to come.”
Ms. Korovina, a doctoral candidate in GW’s chemistry department, said she is “grateful and honored” for the award, which will help support her research on the development of ore active and cost-effective catalyst materials to operate fuel cells.
“This award allows me to spend more time on my research rather than trying to earn money to pay for tuition; I can complete the program in a timely manner and make a greater impact to society sooner rather than later,” said Ms. Korovina. “Through their support, I can focus my full attention on the task at hand: high-quality research which will not only lead to a Ph.D. but also further a more global goal to reduce coal and oil dependence.”
“ARCS has helped provide funding for students like me to conduct ground-breaking research and to strive to reach our career goals without the financial burdens normally associated with graduate work,” said Ms. Stolee, a doctoral candidate in GW’s chemistry department. “At GW I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel for conferences, work in national laboratories and pursue exciting new research.”
Ms. Stolee researches matrix-free methods for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in analytical chemistry and performs molecular dynamics simulations to solve biological problems.