South Dakota Mines is receiving nearly $2 million to recruit and support graduate students studying research in advanced materials.
The money comes from the National Science Foundation. Officials say it is part of a newly launched EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program, designed to support students who received honorable mention recognition in the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
A press release from the university said the program "not only strengthens the university’s research capacity but also positions Mines as a key player in training future leaders in science and engineering."
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Mines,” said Maribeth Price, Ph.D., dean of graduate education. “These honorable mention students are incredibly talented, and this program allows us to attract top-tier students who might not have considered Mines otherwise.”
The students accepted for fellowships will work with Mines faculty across four graduate programs: nanoscience and biomedical engineering; chemical and biological engineering; chemistry, biology and health sciences; and materials and metallurgical engineering. These faculty lead research and manage active grants in innovative materials.
Mines officials said examples of topics students might research include biomaterials designed to deliver drugs more precisely and effectively for patients with cancer and other diseases; thin films that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of producing ammonia and hydrogen to boost crop yields and conserve resources; eco-friendly polymers that offer sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics; and cutting-edge quantum materials with the potential to transform computing, communication, and sensing technologies.
“This fellowship will prepare students for impactful careers in industry or academia, positioning them to lead in developing the next generation of materials and technologies,” Price said.