“Carolina's graduate students are doing research every day that is making a difference in North Carolina and beyond. Their steadfast curiosity and dedication lead to impactful and meaningful work, whether they pursue careers in academia or industry.
Our University benefits immeasurably from our graduate students — they guide our undergraduates, work alongside our world-class faculty and dedicated staff, and contribute to lifechanging research. And they do so while balancing professional and personal demands. Thank you, graduate students, on behalf of the University, for all the ways that you serve the Carolina community and inspire others toward excellence.”
Lee H. Roberts
Interim Chancellor
“Congratulations to our graduate students on their significant contributions to our University and to their areas of research. This research covers so many areas that affect our daily lives: from tidal creeks of Eastern North Carolina to advances in stroke research, they showcase how graduate students are solving the greatest challenges of our time.”
Beth Mayer-Davis
Dean of The Graduate School
The Graduate Student Recognition Celebration is an annual event at which exceptional graduate and professional students are recognized for their significant contributions to research, community service, as well as teaching and leadership. The event begins with a brief ceremony during which the Dean presents student, faculty, and staff award recipients with a plaque for their achievements. Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to enjoy hors d'oeuvres while viewing research posters from outstanding graduate student scholars.
Impact Awards
Graduate students make an impact through their research, which benefits our state and beyond. Each year, The Graduate School honors graduate students in programs throughout our University for their powerful discoveries that contribute to a better future for people and communities in North Carolina.
We're pleased to present 12 Impact Awards for 2024.
Eric Brown, doctoral candidate in environmental sciences and engineering
Identifying placental mechanisms linking environmental chemical mixtures to preterm birth disparities
“Prenatal exposure to various environmental chemicals, including lead in drinking water, is associated with increased risk of preterm birth. With a rapidly changing climate, the toxicity and distribution of environmental chemicals are projected to increase. To make matters more complicated, research is increasingly demonstrating that pregnant women are exposed to multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors, simultaneously.
Using North Carolina birth certificates between 2003 and 2015, my research seeks to examine how climate change-related factors (PM2.5, ozone, and extreme heat) will increase the toxicity of lead on preterm birth.
My study showed two major findings: (1) 1st trimester exposure to PM2.5 drives the toxicity of the mixture, (2) extreme heat increases the toxicity of environmental chemicals, and (3) neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) characteristics are associated with exposure to the environmental chemicals. Notably, climate change-related factors and extreme heat above 70°F jointly increases the odds of preterm birth by 577%. Areas with less integration may be more likely to be affected by climate change-related stressors, highlighting the need to identify environmental chemical reduction technologies for disease prevention. These results inform an ongoing biomonitoring campaign with partner physicians at UNC-Chapel Hill to build in chemical testing at routine pregnancy visits.”
Clara Busse, doctoral candidate in maternal and child health
Acute care use in the postpartum period: patterns and maternal perspectives
“In North Carolina, more than half of pregnancy-related deaths occur after birth, and Black mothers are nearly twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White mothers.
Once they leave the hospital after having their baby, many mothers do not see a healthcare provider until their postpartum check-up about six weeks later. This system, along with the fact that postpartum health concerns are often urgent, may lead mothers to seek care in an emergency department for their postpartum health concerns. Through my dissertation research, I am seeking to understand how often and for which reasons mothers and other people who give birth in North Carolina use emergency healthcare after giving birth.
For this project, I interviewed mothers who used emergency healthcare and analyzed electronic medical records from the University of North Carolina Health System to study postpartum emergency healthcare use. Findings from my dissertation research and related research projects at the University of North Carolina are being used to improve the care that North Carolina mothers receive throughout the University of North Carolina Health System, where one in eight births occur in the state of North Carolina, approximately 17,000 births per year.”
Mark Ciesielski, doctoral candidate in earth, marine and environmental sciences
Characterizing drivers of oyster mortality using quantitative molecular analysis of environmental pathogens in diverse complex matrices
“Over the past few years, mass mortality events have been plaguing the oyster aquaculture industry throughout the state of North Carolina. These disastrous events have major economic consequences for oyster lease-owners and directly impact the communities that have relied on oyster farming for generations. With major losses of product and profit threatening the longevity of this industry, stakeholders have been looking to develop interventions that would reduce the impact of these increasingly regular occurrences.
My research has focused on identifying the causative agents that lead to the onset of these mortality events. Preliminary analysis of oyster tissue indicated that bacterial infections have been severely compromising oyster function and performance. High-resolution monitoring across eight oyster leases was conducted to track mortality covering diverse geographical regions. Using novel molecular assays, we were able to quantify unique DNA signatures of uncharacterized bacterial pathogens in the water and in oyster tissue. Increases in the concentration of these bacteria directly coincide with the progression of tissue necrosis before and during the observed mortality across all sites.
These results have uncovered key players in the onset of disease that led to wide-scale oyster mortality events. Dissemination of this information can provide valuable insights that would allow for the implementation of targeted mitigation strategies with the goal of preserving the long-standing traditions of oyster farming across the East Coast.”
Mekhala Dissanayake, doctoral candidate in epidemiology
Race and racial composition of county: investigating maternal health inequities and healthcare systems factors in the rural south
“There are stark disparities related to both race and rurality in maternal health outcomes in North Carolina. Availability of maternal healthcare is likely a major contributor—from 2014-2019, six hospitals and nine obstetric units closed in rural North Carolina. Rural North Carolina is racially diverse and geographically stratified by race: counties in Appalachia and the Outer Banks are up to 95% White, while counties in Central/Eastern NC have high concentrations of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian populations. It is important to consider the geographic contexts in which rural people live because of the differential availability of maternal healthcare and subsequent effects on maternal health outcomes.
My dissertation addresses this by contrasting counties within Appalachia/Outer Banks to Central/Eastern North Carolina and determining distributions of maternal healthcare resources (hospitals, obstetric units, and maternal health providers) and outcomes at delivery and the postpartum period. My first aim is to investigate changes in maternal outcomes after hospital and obstetric unit closures in these different county contexts. The second aim determines the effect of equalizing distributions of maternal health resources across rural counties on disparities in maternal outcomes.
My work aims to identify the salient healthcare factors that contribute to racial disparities in maternal outcomes among those living in rural North Carolina. I hope to provide critical public health information on which populations have the highest burdens, where they are concentrated, and potential interventions.”
Clara Eichler, doctoral candidate in environmental sciences and engineering
Characterization of the distribution and fate of neutral PFAS in indoor environments including the role of clothing
“North Carolina is among the states with the highest population exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the US. The contamination of the Cape Fear watershed with these "Forever Chemicals" has frequently made headlines in recent years. And rightfully so, because the health effects of PFAS include liver disease, neurodevelopmental problems, and cancer; although for many PFAS, toxicological data are sparse.
Because PFAS make products stain- and water-repellant, they are used frequently in products like cookware, raingear, and upholstery. Therefore, even if all PFAS were successfully removed from water sources, PFAS can linger in homes, where many people spend a lot of time. Unfortunately, we do not know much about the magnitude of indoor exposure to PFAS or about the ability of different indoor reservoirs to accumulate PFAS.
The Indoor PFAS Assessment (IPA) Campaign gave me the opportunity to measure PFAS in indoor air, cloth, dust, and other reservoirs in 11 NC homes. I found significant amounts of PFAS in all indoor reservoirs in all homes, and my research characterizes how PFAS are distributed indoors. For example, I was able to show that cloth is a major reservoir for PFAS, even if the cloth was initially PFAS free. My research highlights the importance of addressing all potential pathways of exposure to PFAS, including indoor exposure. Further, this knowledge can help to develop strategies for PFAS exposure mitigation in homes.”
Xijing Li, doctoral candidate in city and regional planning
Examining the environmental inequity impact of urban heat mitigation on redlining legacy: case study of Charlotte's retrofitting, 2001 to 2020
“In Charlotte, North Carolina, the urban heat island effect—where urban areas are significantly warmer than rural ones—poses a major challenge. This issue, exacerbated by global warming and historical urban planning decisions like redlining, disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, highlighting environmental and social justice concerns.
My two-decade-long research in Charlotte maps the progression and uneven impact of urban heat. Despite overall improvements in the city's heat exposure conditions, the most vulnerable populations have not seen commensurate benefits. This indicates a gap in achieving environmental equity, with serious health implications for these groups, including heatstroke and chronic condition exacerbation.
My study's aim is to inform and work with local authorities, urban planners, and community groups to develop inclusive policies. These policies would not only address urban heat mitigation but also tackle the deep-rooted social inequities contributing to this disparity. By focusing on Charlotte, the research sets a precedent for statewide discussions and policy implementations in North Carolina, emphasizing sustainable urban development that equally prioritizes social justice.
My study identifies that solutions to the urban heat island issue are equitable, benefiting all residents, especially those at greater risk. The research underscores the importance of blending environmental strategies with societal equity to effectively combat urban heat challenges.”
Nicole Ochandarena, doctoral candidate in neuroscience
Contribution of opioid-responsive cortical neurons to development of more precise pain therapeutics
“Although opioids are powerful pain relievers, they are also addictive and caused over 36,000 overdose deaths each year in North Carolina from 2000-2022—with over 11 North Carolinians losing their lives each day from a drug overdose last year. Thirteen out of every 100 North Carolinians have an opioid prescription, making this an issue with a broad reach in our state. North Carolina needs better pain medicines—so how should we parse apart the addictive and pain-relieving effects of opioids to develop more targeted treatments?
While opioids have been used for centuries, scientists still do not understand their mechanism. Revealing which cells they signal through in the brain will allow for the development of non-opioid strategies to produce only pain relief without side effects, including depressed breathing and addiction.
Using mice as model organisms, my project has already produced a comprehensive description of the cells acted on by opioids across all areas of the cerebral cortex. With this knowledge, I am testing the contributions of these neuron types to addiction and pain relief, with a specific focus on cell types conserved in humans. My work will reveal how acute and chronic opioid use changes cortical activity, generating critical insights into the mechanism of these medications. Through multi-institutional collaborative efforts, our group is harnessing these findings to develop improved therapeutics for pain.”
Ximena Perez-Velazco, doctoral candidate in nutrition
Combatting food insecurity among college students at UNC: testing a social marketing intervention to promote SNAP use
“Food insecurity (FI)—defined as a lack of consistent access to enough quality, variety, and culturally appropriate foods—is recognized as a major public health crisis in the United States.
Food insecurity affects a wide range of social, socio-economic, and age sub-groups; including college students. College students experience food insecurity at a disproportionately higher rate than the general public. This has significant public health implications, because this experience gives rise to unique consequences for college students related to poor academic performance and college graduation rates, notable determinants of health.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest US federal-level nutrition assistance program that provides food purchasing benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families. It is well understood that SNAP is an effective method to combat food insecurity and improve diet quality. Even though many may be eligible, students enrolled in institutions of higher education rarely apply for or receive SNAP benefits.
The purpose of my study is to inform, develop, and test an intervention designed to address the misunderstandings and lack of awareness surrounding SNAP benefits, to evaluate how to best increase applications to SNAP, and self-efficacy around SNAP, among college students at UNC-CH. If evidence is provided on the effectiveness of the intervention, we will provide recommendations for how it can be disseminated to other institutions of higher learning to address food insecurity on a larger scale.”
Allie Reimold, doctoral candidate in health behavior
A mixed methods approach to studying dollar stores as food retailers
“Dollar stores like Dollar General and Dollar Tree are the fastest growing food retailers in the United States (U.S.). This growing retail sector may negatively impact nutrition and associated health outcomes, especially for low-income communities who disproportionately shop at them. As a result, more than 25 U.S. municipalities have passed policies to limit dollar store growth.
New Hanover County, in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina, has more dollar stores by land area than any other county in the state. To ensure an equitable food environment, local organizations and policy makers need to better understand this emerging issue. In collaboration with the local non-profit, Feast Down East, my research aims to: 1) understand how and why individuals with low incomes rely on dollar stores for food; and 2) highlight their voices in local discussions about policy and programmatic options.
I found that study participants rely on dollar stores because the affordable prices and convenient locations address their persistent barriers to accessing food at traditional retailers. Though they appreciate dollar stores, participants frequently discussed wanting fresh fruit and vegetable options and higher quality proteins in the stores. Participants support policies and programs like SNAP dollar-for-dollar matching for fruits and vegetables, increasing the variety of fruits and vegetables available, and promoting healthy options at dollar stores. These findings have informed Feast Down East efforts and were presented during a participatory "Data Party" with the Cape Fear Food Council for collaborative identification of responsive next steps for decision makers in the Cape Fear Region.”
Molly Remch, doctoral candidate in epidemiology
Evaluation of two novel restrictive housing diversion units in North Carolina prisons
“Mass incarceration is a clear and pressing public health and health equity issue in North Carolina, with an incarceration rate that far surpasses that of most democratic countries in the world. Incarceration and restrictive housing (i.e., solitary confinement) are each disproportionately applied to Black North Carolinians and North Carolinians with mental health disorders.
Through ongoing collaborative partnerships with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and Division of Public Health, I led evaluations of two novel North Carolina prison restrictive housing diversion units, Therapeutic Diversion Units (TDUs) and the Rehabilitative Diversion Unit (RDU).
We found that individuals in TDU had lower rates of inpatient mental health admissions and self-injury than those placed in restrictive housing; these benefits were not sustained when individuals returned to the general prison population. Similar rates of infractions among those in TDU and restrictive housing indicate TDU does not pose a security risk. We concluded that TDU is a viable, health-promoting alternative to restrictive housing, but additional step-down programming and continued access to therapeutic services in the general prison population would be beneficial. In our evaluation of RDU, we found that rates of violent infractions, mental health needs, and self-injury were lower in RDU than in restrictive housing. However, violent infractions resumed more quickly post-RDU than post-restrictive housing. We concluded that RDU was an important tool for improving mental and behavioral health, but this population would benefit from sustained step-down programming.”
Shuang Xu, doctoral candidate in materials science
Multisource Cone Beam Computed Tomography using a Carbon Nanotube X-ray Source Array
“In the landscape of computed tomography (CT) imaging, the choice has often been between high-quality but bulky multidetector CT (MDCT) and the portable, cost-effective cone beam CT (CBCT) that sacrifices image accuracy. Our breakthrough multisource CBCT (ms-CBCT) harmonizes their advantages, delivering MDCT's image quality with CBCT's practical advantages.
The innovation at the heart of ms-CBCT is the replacement of the conventional thermionic emission single X-ray source with a carbon nanotube (CNT) field emission X-ray source array, a pioneering technology with roots extending back two decades at UNC and the sole FDA-approved application of CNT in its 30-year history. Utilizing the electrical field, the CNT X-ray source array surpasses the heat dissipation issues inherent in conventional X-ray tubes and enables rapid image acquisition.
Our ms-CBCT harnesses nanotechnology for real-world engineering, offering MDCT-level imaging quality while maintaining the portability and affordability of CBCT. It sets a new benchmark for precision in dental imaging, elevates on-site diagnostic potential in ICUs and combat zones, and optimizes in-vivo tumor treatment planning in radiotherapy. Pioneered at UNC, the ms-CBCT is poised to revolutionize CT imaging in dental, emergency, and oncological care, improving the medical imaging quality across the diverse population throughout North Carolina and setting a precedent for global health advancement.”
Will Zahran, doctoral candidate in education
Tuition reduction and student loan debt: evidence from the North Carolina Promise
“The UNC System enrolls over 160,000 undergraduate students across 16 public universities, and the average in-state borrower graduates with about $20,000 in student loan debt. The State of North Carolina plays an important role in ensuring higher education is affordable for students who want to attend. Financial aid policy at the state level determines the amount of assistance available to students, thus making a college degree attainable for those who may struggle to afford it.
In 2018, the NC General Assembly launched the NC Promise Tuition Plan. This financial aid program lowered tuition to $500 for in-state students at three universities: Elizabeth City State University, UNC-Pembroke, and Western Carolina University. The goal of a policy like NC Promise is to encourage students to enroll and graduate while taking on as little debt as possible.
My research explores the impact of this new policy on enrollment and student loans at the three Promise universities. Preliminary findings suggest that NC Promise increased enrollment among transfer students and decreased borrowing among middle-income students. These findings can help us better understand the effect of tuition subsidies on improving the design of financial aid policy in the future.”
Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Awards
The dissertation is the highest level of graduate student scholarship. Recipients of the Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award are making outstanding contributions — read about their research in their own words.
Sarah Miles, History
2024 Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award, Humanities and Fine Arts
One and the Same Struggle: Francophone Intellectuals, Global Solidarity, and Third Worldist Publishing from Paris to Algeria and Québec, 1959-1974
Dissertation Adviser: Lloyd Kramer
“In the 1960s, French-speaking anticolonial militants swapped ideas through books, periodicals, and pamphlets that were shipped around the world — even when people couldn't follow. Shedding new light on the tangible processes that moved revolutionary ideas, my dissertation traces the French, Québécois, and Algerian publishers, editors, authors, and readers who produced and interacted with left-wing print media. In the context of global decolonization, I show how engagement with print media allowed people to interpret their individual experiences through the lens of universal theories, shaping how militants thought about themselves and their collective future as they did. This project sheds new light on how transnational media brought people together — long before the internet — and on the political opportunities and practical challenges of dialoguing across difference.”
Isaac Mehlhaff, Political Science
2024 Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award, Social Sciences
The Natural Origins of Mass Opinion: An Argumentative Theory of Political Reasoning
Dissertation Adviser: Marc Hetherington
“When it comes to politics, citizens are often portrayed as unskilled reasoners, unable to logically think through political issues and reliant on heuristics, stereotypes, and biases. In contrast, I show that interpersonal political debate can actually harness this form of motivated political reasoning and use it to encourage attitude change. Findings carry implications for theories of political behavior, the application of machine learning to the study of political speech, and depolarization in the public arena.”
Cole Sorensen, Chemistry
2024 Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering
Stereoselective Cationic Polymerization: Method Development and Computationally Guided Mechanistic Studies
Dissertation Adviser: Frank Leibfarth
“Over the last one-hundred years synthetic plastics have become critical to nearly every application owing to the vast properties they can access. One chemical parameter that has an acute effect on a plastics' properties is stereochemistry, which describes its relative orientation in space; however, it is rarely considered. I have developed a framework for controlling a plastics stereochemistry for the synthesis materials for OLED applications, introduced data science strategies for the development of next-generation degradable plastics, and uncovered new physics phenomena for emerging applications in high efficiency alternatives to traditional electronics.”
Brittany Rickard, Toxicology
2024 Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award, Biological and Life Sciences
Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS)-Induced Therapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer and Intervention via Photochemical Targeting of Mitochondria
Dissertation Advisers: Imran Rizvi and Suzanne Fenton
“My dissertation research demonstrated, for the first time in any cancer, that perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure may inhibit chemotherapy effectiveness in ovarian cancer cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Using mechanism-targeted therapeutic approaches, specifically photodynamic priming, we demonstrated that this light-based treatment method is effective in reversing PFAS-induced chemotherapy resistance. In the long-term, these findings may inform the safety of emerging PFAS in ongoing policy making. Clinically, these findings suggest that blood PFAS testing in ovarian cancer patients prior to receiving chemotherapy may identify those most needing photodynamic priming for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.”
Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service by a Graduate or Professional Student
This award, one of the Chancellor's Awards at Carolina, recognizes graduate and professional students who demonstrate exemplary character, scholarship, leadership and service by giving above and beyond to the greater University community.
Janay Franklin
Janay Franklin, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience, is one of the 2024 recipients of the Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service by a Graduate or Professional Student.
Franklin attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and participated in UNC-Chapel Hill's Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) before pursuing her Ph.D.
Janay's nominations noted her exemplary character, academic achievements, leadership abilities, and commitment to service make her a truly exceptional individual who is deserving of the Boka W. Hadzija Award. Her passion for and commitment to science education and outreach to under-resourced and underrepresented groups within STEM fields has made an indelible mark on the Carolina community.
“Not only is Janay a gifted scientist and educator, but she is also a highly motivated and innovative thinker who embraces new experiences and eagerly faces new challenges. She is a natural and thoughtful leader who effortlessly instills confidence in those who work with and around her, empowering them to perform with excellence.
In the years that I have known her (since she was a UNC PREP postbacc scholar in 2017), I have been impressed by Janay's passion and drive, her keen intellect, and her unwavering commitment to research and educational success for all students, including her own. She has made significant contributions in all her efforts and is a leader in numerous areas within and outside the University. She exemplifies everything this award aims to recognize and is most deserving of becoming an awardee.”
Kendall Winter
Kendall Winter, a Ph.D. candidate in musicology, the other 2024 recipient of the Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service by a Graduate or Professional Student.
Winter attended Tufts University before coming to UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue her Ph.D.
Kendall's nominators emphasized her commitment to advocacy for her fellow graduate and professional students through her work with Carolina's Graduate and Professional Student Government. In her role as a senator, Kendall has led efforts and written legislation advocating for policy changes in support of graduate and professional students' wellbeing, including pushing for improved financial support and ensuring Carolina's more than 11,000 graduate and professional students have a voice and representation on University committees.
“Given that graduate students have very busy schedules, I have been impressed with Kendall Winter's work as an elected member of UNC's Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). Among the many issues Kendall helped bring to university leadership was financial support for graduate and professional students, for which she helped advocate at the departmental, school, campus, system, and state levels for meaningful policy changes...
Taken together, Kendall Winter's research, service, and leadership to the University are a fine example of engaged scholarship. The historical actors and musical artefacts that she studies were concerned with justice, equity, and belonging, and her record shows the many tangible actions she has taken to promote those values and others on our campus for her graduate and professional student community.”
It is an honor to bestow the 2024 Boka Hadzija Award for Distinguished Service on both Janay Franklin and Kendall Winter for their outstanding service to the University community.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition that assists current graduate students with fostering effective presentation and communication skills. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a non-specialist audience.
Kirsten Giesbrecht, mathematics
Kirsten Giesbrecht, a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics, received the top prize during UNC-Chapel Hill's annual Three Minute Thesis competition and competed again at the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) regionals in Greenville, SC on March 14. Giesbrecht's research uses a chick heart model to identify abnormalities and potential interventions in human heart development. The Graduate School sponsored Kirsten's attendance at the Council of Southern Graduate Schools annual meeting as part of the CareerWell Professional Development initiative.
“In a setting where every presenter had already won their institution's 3MT competition, Kirsten stood out for her confident, accessible presentation of high-impact research. She represented Carolina graduate students at their very best, and we are so proud of her,” said Vanessa Doriott Anderson, assistant dean for academic and career development at The Graduate School.
Carolina Center for Public Service Community Engagement Fellows (2023)
Learn more about the 2024 Carolina Center for Public Service Community Engagement Fellows and their projects.
- Oluwabusolami Ale, Health Policy and Management
- Cayla Colclasure, Anthropology
- Olivia Harmon, Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Maria Maza San Vicente, Psychology and Neuroscience
- Mary Kelly McHugh and Elizabeth Anne Finnessy, Health Behavior and Nursing
- Fowota Mortoo, Geography
Tanner Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching by Graduate Teaching Assistants
In 1990, the University expanded the purview of the Tanner Awards to recognize excellence in the teaching of undergraduates by graduate teaching assistants. Learn more about the Tanner Awards.
- Karah Mitchel, English and Comparative Literature
- Ling Beisecker, Exercise and Sport Science
- Courtney Blackington, Political Science
- Santiago G. Gesteira, Romance Studies
- Emanuele Stefanori, Romance Studies
Excellence in Graduate Student Services Award
Student services managers work hard to support graduate students' academic success and professional development. The Graduate and Professional Student Government and The Graduate School are pleased to present an award in recognition of this important work.
Ann Schmitt, Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Ann Schmitt, graduate program coordinator in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, is the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Student Services Award.
Ann joined the Office of Graduate Studies as the graduate program coordinator in 2018 in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Ann not only received the most nominations, but the most heartfelt nominations from students in her department. Ann is warm, timely, supportive, and knowledgeable. Her students say she keeps the department running smoothly and is a lifesaver. The students Ann works with say she makes it blatantly clear that she is not only helping to navigate challenges within academia but is there to support students however she can. Outside of her set responsibilities, she is a central part of her community. She supports her students at professional events and is involved in ways out of her work's scope. One student said,
“she's the connective tissue for the graduate programs at Hussman and continually shows that she's invested in the wellbeing and success of students.”
It is an honor to present the 2024 Excellence in Graduate Student Services award to Ann Schmitt for her tremendous dedication to graduate students in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student and Academic Program Support
Directors of graduate studies provide exemplary leadership. The Graduate School is pleased to honor the many ways they provide outstanding support for graduate programs and their students.
Evelyne Huber, Political Science
Evelyne Huber is the Director of Graduate Studies and Morehead Alumni Professor in the Department of Political Science.
Numerous people nominated Evelyne for this award because of her years of exceptional leadership as the Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Political Science. Evelyne is described as someone who leaves a lasting impact on the lives of the students with whom she has worked. She is committed to mentoring students and has remained in contact with countless students long after they graduated and moved on from Carolina.
“Evelyne demonstrates excellence in a multitude of ways. From serving as a fierce advocate for students, an amazing curator of funds and resources, and a distinguished mentor, she has impacted all of our lives and made each of us better scholars and students. She has changed the landscape within our department, not only for students, but also for each faculty member who walks through our doors,” one nomination read.
It is an honor to present 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student and Academic Program Support to Evelyne Huber, in recognition of their tremendous dedication to graduate students in political science.
Dean’s Award for Significant Contributions to Graduate Education
This award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond what is normally required to make significant contributions that impact graduate education.
Harold Glass
Harold and his wife, Holly, are steadfast supporters of graduate education at Carolina. In 2014, the Glasses established a three-year term professorship for a faculty member and a corresponding fellowship for a graduate student the professor selects to mentor. They have supported summer research fellowships for over a decade, and recently endowed The Harold J. Glass Summer Research fellowship to support a student each summer in perpetuity.
Harold has served on UNC-Chapel Hill's Board of Visitors and has served on The Graduate School's Graduate Education Advancement Board for more than 12 years. Harold is passionate about Carolina, graduate students, and helping them succeed as students and as alumni. He has an impeccable sense of humor. He is a teacher, a lifelong learner, a creator, philanthropist, cellist, proud Tar Heel, and friend. We are thrilled to honor him and say thank you for his years of dedication to graduate education at Carolina and to note his family's enduring legacy at the University.
Prestigious External Fellowship Winners
External fellowships, which are highly competitive awards from the federal government and other organizations, add to Carolina's reputation as one of the world's leading public research universities. This academic year, 279 graduate students campus-wide, who represent 42 academic programs, received prestigious external fellowships.
Anthropology
- Ariana Avila, American Association of University Women American Dissertation Fellowship
- Madelaine Azar, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant
- Rosemary Gay, Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Moriah James, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Theo Kassebaum, Carol and Eric Meyers ECA Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
- Ana Ramirez, Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
- Parag Saikia, International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF), SAPIENS Public Scholars Training Fellowship, Social Science Research Council International Dissertation Research Fellowship, Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant
- Preethi Saravanan, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Rebecca Wu, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Art and Art History
- Erin Dickey, Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art Chester Dale Fellowship
- Jennifer Wu, Paul Mellon Centre Junior Fellowship, Yale Center for British Art Visiting Scholar Award
Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Abigail Ballard, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Dalia Fleifel, American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship
- Anna Wheless, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- John Patrick Flores, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Dhuvarakesh Karthikeyan, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Nina Nishiyama, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Sarah Parker, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Nicholas Randolph, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Justin Ashby, NIH Diversity Supplement
Biology
- Salome Jaramillo Gil, Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
- Alayna Mackiewicz, P.E.O. Scholar Award
- Madelina Marquez, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Stephanie Peak, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Jadyn Sethna, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Eva Mei Shouse, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Elizabeth Smith, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Savannah Weaver, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Biomedical and Health Informatics
- Pamela Chacon Uscamaita, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Tuition Scholarship
Biomedical Engineering
- Keerthi Anand, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Elizabeth Doherty, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Emily Eichenlaub, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Nina Moiseiwitsch, NIH Fellowship (F30) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Andrew Shelton, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Sandra Stangeland-Molo, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Biostatistics
- Helal El-Zaatari, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowship
- Elena Kharitonova, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Haolin Li, American Statistical Association The Health Policy Statistics Section Student Paper Award
- Sophie Shan, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Quan Sun, CHARGE Consortium Travel Award, Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Research Fellowship
- Jesus Vazquez, NIH Diversity Supplement
- Ann Marie Weideman, American Statistical Association Caucus for Women in Statistics Travel Award, American Statistical Association Mary G. and Joseph Natrella Scholarship, American Statistical Association Student and Early-Career Travel Award
- Tarek Zikry, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Cell Biology and Physiology
- Whitney Bell, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Cancer Institute
- Keith Breau, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Alexander Edwards, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Cancer Institute
- Reginald Edwards, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Rebecca Hirsch, North Carolina Academy of Science Robert R. Bryden Research Award
- Nicole Hondrogiannis, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Stephen Serafin, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Natalie Tanke, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Chemistry
- Supraja Chittari, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Samantha Clouthier, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Jessica Coleman, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- John Dickenson, Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
- Rachael Ditzler, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Uyen Doan, Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Carbohydrates Best Poster Award, Meeting of the Society for Glycobiology Travel Award
- Justine Drappeau, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Alyssa Felix Thayne, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Maria Furukawa, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Alexis Harvey, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Katelyn Kitzinger, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Samantha Litvin, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Ann May, Department of Defense NDSEG Fellowship
- Don McTaggart, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Caroline Mohler, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Rebecca Radomsky, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Evan Stair, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Olivia Steiner, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Charles Teeples, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sydney Towell, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Benjamin Travis, Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
- Thomas Whittemore, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
City and Regional Planning
- Laurina Bird, Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
- James Collins, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Abigail Cox, Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship, NCSITE Emily Blount Honorary Scholarship
- Jennifer Farris, Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship, NCSITE Matthew Bell Memorial Scholarship
- Ryan Ford, Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
- Kimberly Hansen, Bald Head Island Conservancy Johnston Graduate Fellowship in Coastal Sustainability
- Carolyn Klamm, Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
- Megan McIntyre, The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
- Huijoo Shon, Korean National Institute for International Education Scholarship Program for Study Overseas
- Amy Watkins, Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
Classics
- Amanda Ball, Kenyon College Marilyn Yarbrough Dissertation/Teaching Award
- Nicholas Bolig, American School of Classical Studies at Athens Philip Lockhart Fellowship
- Sarah Hilker, Archaeological Institute of America Olivia James Traveling Fellowship
- Jackson Miller, American School of Classical Studies at Athens Gorham Phillips Stevens Fellowship
Communication Studies
- Khari Johnson, New York Botanical Garden Mellon Research Fellowship - Food Humanities
Computer Science
- Anneliese Brei, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Inbar Fried, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Cancer Institute
Education
- Maya Bracy, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Adam Canosa, National Science Foundation VITAL Prize Semi-Finalist
- Sahar Habib, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Alberto Valido Delgado, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Mental Health
- Fiona Winoto, Tillman Scholar Program
English and Comparative Literature
- Dailihana Alfonseca, PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers
- Christopher Catanese, Modern Language Association Convention Grant
- Isabel Howard, Society for Medieval Feminist Scholarship Trans Travel Fund
- Satoshi Ohnishi, Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Karah Rice, American Antiquarian Society Lapides Fellowship in Pre-1865 Juvenile Literature and Ephemera
Environment, Ecology, and Energy
- Claire Johnson, International Women's Fishing Association Scholarship Trust, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Maya Powell, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sedona Ryan, Nancy Skinner Clark Fellowship for Graduate Study
Environmental Sciences and Engineering
- Devin Alewel, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education EPA Research Participation Program
- Clara Margarete Anita Eichler, ASTM International Graduate Scholarship
- Yarrow Linden, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Haley MacDonald, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Kristina Stuckey, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship
- Lucy Tantum, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Epidemiology
- Joel Begay, Gates Millennium Scholarship, Graduate Cobell Scholarship, Native Forward BIE Science Post Graduate Scholarship
- Griffin Bell, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Theo Beltran, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Mental Health
- Maria Cook, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo de Chile Becas Chile, Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Katherine Gora Combs, Reserve Organization of America Henry J. Reilly Scholarship
- Taniqua Ingol, NIH Fellowship (F31) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Katie Mollan, International Society of Pharmacoepidemiology Travel Scholarship
- Camille Morgan, NIH Fellowship (F30) - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, UJMT Fogarty Global Health Fellowship
Exercise and Sport Science
- Margaret Damar, American Heart Association Student Scholarship in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Marielle Bond, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Rachel Dumez, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Mark Geisler, NIH Fellowship (F31) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Gabrielle Gentile, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Benjamin Kornegay, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program Award
- Jeanne McPherson, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Brandon Mouery, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Cancer Institute
- Mckenzie Murvin, NIH Fellowship (F31) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Nila Pazhayam, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Carolyn Turcotte, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
Geography
- Betul Aykac, Society of Women Geographers Evelyn L. Pruitt National Fellowship for Dissertation Research
- Ingrid Alexia Diaz Moreno, Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant
- Saud Jabr, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Andreina Malki, American Council of Learned Societies Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship
- Caitilin McMillan, American Association of University Women American Dissertation Fellowship
- Bryttani Wooten, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Geological Sciences
- Marissa Dudek, Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) Program
- Lauren Grimley, American Geophysical Union Horton Research Grant, Association of American Geographers Student Travel Grant
- Jose Velez Castano, Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Global Studies
- Sara Solomon Teklewold, Rotary International Peace Fellowship
Health Behavior
- Sophia Bartels, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Drug Abuse, P.E.O. Scholar Award
- Quetzabel Benavides, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Ana Cardoso Richter, NIH Fellowship (F31) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Mannat Malik, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Foreign Study Award
- Adams Sibley, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Drug Abuse
Health Policy and Management
- Zhang Zhang, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
History
- Alison Curry, Saul Kagan Claims Conference Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies
- Nicole Harry, American Councils Title VIII Combined Research and Language Training Program
- Alma Huselja, Saul Kagan Claims Conference Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies
- Nurlan Kabdylkhak, Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
- Till Knobloch, Free University of Berlin Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies Dissertation Fellowship
- Marlon Londono, Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship
- Megan McClory, Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies Scholarship
- Tess Megginson, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship
- Zora Piskacova, ASEEES Dissertation Research Grant, Polish Studies Association Graduate Student Research Award
- Ariel Wilks, Massachusetts Historical Society Short-Term Research Fellowship, New England Research Fellowship Consortium Research Fellowship
Human Movement Science
- Rachana Gangwani, NASPSPA Graduate Student Research Grant
- Samantha Moore, National Strength and Conditioning Association Women's Professional Development Scholarship
Information and Library Science
- Andrew Claybrook, American Library Association Miriam L. Hornback Scholarship
- Lan Li, Association for Information Systems Entrepreneurial Innovation Fellowship
- Alona Norwood, Association of Research Libraries Kaleidoscope Program Scholarship
- Mary Riemann, Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries Graduate Library School Scholarship
- Elizabeth Sanford, Ethel Carlisle Southern Librarian Scholarship
- Sarah Waugh, American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship
Journalism and Media
- Oluwajoba Ogun, The Sloan Research Fellowships
- Clay Williams, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication - Mass Communication and Society Division Diversity and Inclusion Career Development Fellowship
Marine Sciences
- Ileana Fenwick, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Joshua Himmelstein, Geological Society of America Graduate Student Research Grant
- Yasamin Sharifi, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nancy Foster Scholarship
Materials Science
- Connor Slamowitz, NC/BW Faculty Mobility Scholarship Program
Maternal and Child Health
- Arisa Kiyomoto, The Masason Foundation Fellowship
- Julia Reddy, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Drug Abuse, Sidney H. Schnoll Early Career Scholarship Award
- Elizabeth Simmons, NIH Fellowship (F31) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Marissa Velarde, Society of Family Planning Emerging Scholars in Family Planning Grant
Mathematics
- Madelyne Brown, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Olivia Chandrasekhar, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Kirsten Giesbrecht, American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship
- Kaitlyn Hohmeier, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Karen Medlin, Department of Energy Graduate Research Fellowship, Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program
- David Passey, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Microbiology and Immunology
- David Aponte Diaz, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Wolfgang Beckabir, NIH Fellowship (F30) - National Cancer Institute
- Matthew Greenwald, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Synergy Grant
- Leslie Kent, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Drake Philip, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Amanda Velez, NIH Fellowship (F30) - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Neuroscience
- Maya Bluitt, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sara Conley, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Minna McFarland, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Nicole Ochandarena, NIH Fellowship (F30) - National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Shannon Rhoads, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Nicholas Ringelberg, NIH Fellowship (F30) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Rachel Sharp, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Preston Siegler, NEURAL Conference Travel Award, Neuroscience Scholars Program
Nursing
- Abigail Beliveau, NIH Fellowship (T32) - Interventions for Preventing and Managing Chronic Illness
- Elisabeth Bernhardt, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Nursing Research
- Latesha Harris, Hillman Advancing Early Research Opportunities (AERO) Grant, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Rebeca Harris, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Nursing Research
- Rebecca Hoover, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Cancer Institute, Oncology Nursing Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
- Kathryn Sabatelli, ENA Foundation Member-Supported Master's Scholarship, Mary Lewis Wyche Fellowship, WakeMed Helton Scholarship
- Cameron Ulmer, Mary Lewis Wyche Fellowship
Nutrition
- Kyle Busse, American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship
- David Gaviria, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Loyal E. Horton Memorial Scholarship
- Caitlin Martinez, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Amy Joye Memorial Research Award
- Joshua Miller, NIH Fellowship (F31) - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Occupational Science
- Rachel Vaughn, SSO:USA Student Research Award
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
- Shea Ricketts, American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship
Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Brian Anderson, American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Medicinal Chemistry Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
- Glory Dan-Dukor, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Alyssa Holden, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sarah Howard, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Lauren Kass, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- William Murphy, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Foundation Liver Meeting 2023 Advanced Practice Provider Abstract Award, Certara Simcyp Division Grant and Partnership Scheme
Pharmacology
- Madigan Bedard, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Mingyu Choi, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Mckenzie Grundy, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sarah Mott, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Mariah Stewart, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Philosophy
- Dashiell Shulman, Amherst College Forris Jewett Moore Fellowship in Philosophy
Physics and Astronomy
- Guadalupe Duran, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Amy Glazier, American Astronomical Society Rodger Doxsey Travel Prize
- Zack Hall, Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program
- Zackary Hutchens, NC Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Sophia Kressy, NC Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Joseph Moscoso, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Pa Chia Thao, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Political Science
- Cassandra Alvarino, Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Sinan Arda, DAAD Scholarship
- Anita Knochelmann, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation Scholarship, Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA) International North Carolina Scholarship
- Anthony Lindsay, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Silviya Nitsova, Institute for Humane Studies Graduate Sabbatical Grant, Smith Richardson Foundation World Politics and Statecraft Fellowship
- Suwon Shin, Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Elena Sirotkina, DAAD Research Grant
Psychology and Neuroscience
- Sophie Bendrath, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Adrienne Bonar, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Megan Cardenas, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Michal Cook, Organization for Autism Research Graduate Research Grant
- Mallory Feldman, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Aging
- Janay Franklin, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Manuel Galvan, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Shedrick Garrett, Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship, Morehouse School of Medicine Emerging Scholars Program
- Louisa Kane, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Hannah Lewis, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Margarett McBride, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Madison McCall, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Rachel Phillips, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Mental Health
- Micaela Rodriguez, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Pedro Rodriguez-Echemendia, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program Award
- Michelle Shipkova, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Maurryce Starks, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Honoka Suzuki, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Danica Wilbanks, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Amanda Wylie, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Public Health
- Nefer Batsuli, Gates Millennium Scholarship
- David Bodden, Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship
- Mary Feser, Wellesley College Edna V. Moffett Fellowship
- Shaelyn Hawkins, North Carolina Public Health Association Graduate Education Scholarship
- Alexis Mwanza Kabongo, Rotary International Peace Fellowship
- Gideon Kapalasa, Rotary International Peace Fellowship
- Manasik Mohamed Idris, Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
- Kofi Opoku, American Society of Human Genetics Trainee Research Excellence Award
Public Policy
- Johnathan Conzelmann, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Religious Studies
- Emily Branton, W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research Educational and Cultural Affairs Junior Research Fellowship
- Michelle Sdao, Dumbarton Oaks Junior Fellowship in Byzantine Studies
Romance Studies
- Elena Pena Argueso, Modern Language Association Convention Grant
Social Work
- Shalina Brady, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Traineeship
- Hayden Dawes, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Dissertation Grant Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholarship
- Alexandra Rose, Rotary International Peace Fellowship
- Sumudu Wijesuriya Arachchige, Fulbright Foreign Scholarship, P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
- Hayman Linn Lae Zaw, Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Sociology
- Jarvis Benson, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Kaitlin Joshua, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Katharina Klaunig, DAAD Short-Term Research Grant
- Shreya Parikh, ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Beyond Borders Ph.D. Scholarship
- Fatima Touma, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Austin Vo, Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Beyond Borders Ph.D. Scholarship
Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Orla Putnam, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Statistics and Operations Research
- Michael Nisenzon, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Toxicology
- Aleah Bailey, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Gilliam Fellowship, Society of Toxicology Graduate Student Travel Award
- Charlotte Love, NIH Fellowship (F31) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Brittany Rickard, American College of Toxicology North American Graduate Fellowship, P.E.O. Scholar Award