Twelve students and alumni from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have been awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. The recipients will use the scholarships to further their education and research in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
“We are delighted for our NSF GRFP recipients who are consistently demonstrating the importance and impact of research at UT, in Tennessee, in our surrounding communities and around the globe,” said Meredith Malburne-Wade, director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. “Congratulations to all our recipients, including those who completed their undergraduate work at UT and those arriving for graduate study, as well as their mentors, faculty and recommenders. We are proud of the work you have done and will continue to do.”
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program — the nation’s oldest fellowship directly supporting graduate students in STEM — aims to ensure the quality, vitality and strength of the United States’ scientific and engineering workforce. Awarded to approximately 2,600 students in 2026, the fellowship provides each student with a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 and a $16,000 allowance for tuition and fees paid to the institution.
Meet the recipients
Colton Adams, of Gray, Tennessee, graduated from UT in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in honors ecology and evolutionary biology and a minor in neurology. The fellowship will support his pursuit of an advanced degree in organismal biology.
Alexa Andershock, of Franklin, Tennessee, will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. The fellowship will support her pursuit of a Ph.D. in engineering education.
“I could not have received the NSF GRFP without the support of my professors, mentors, family and friends. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D., and I am excited to continue researching how to make education more supportive for all engineering students,” Andershock said.
Ella Halbert, of Nashville, is a graduate student studying ecology and evolutionary biology. The fellowship will support her research on the cultural evolution of novel foraging behaviors in neotropical bats at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.
“Being able to put my years of research training and language practice into action is an amazing feeling, and I hope to continue building relationships with scientists around the globe as I grow my scientific knowledge,” Halbert said.
Jocelyn Hess, of Seymour, Tennessee, will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering. The fellowship will support her pursuit of a Ph.D. in materials science.
“I am so honored to have been chosen to receive the GRFP. I definitely couldn’t have done this without the persistent support of my wonderful family, friends, advisors and professors,” Hess said.
Kendra Johnson, of Maryville, Tennessee, earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UT in 2025. The fellowship will support her pursuit of a Ph.D. in chemistry.
David Levy, of Westport, Connecticut, is a first-year graduate student studying energy science and engineering. The fellowship will support his research on the characterization of color center defects in diamonds under various environmental conditions to engineer better sensors.
“I am extremely thankful to my adviser and former professors who wrote letters of recommendation and to my peers who helped proofread my application,” Levy said.
Ethan Naugle, of Knoxville, is a graduate student in computer engineering. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from UT in 2025. The fellowship will support his research, which involves creating building blocks for biologically inspired computer architectures.
“I am incredibly honored to receive the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. This support will allow me to fully dedicate my time to designing and exploring new devices and circuits for better brain-inspired computing architectures,” Naugle said.
Jack Peltier, of Franklin, Tennessee, will graduate this spring with a dual bachelor’s degree in math and physics. The fellowship will support his pursuit of a Ph.D. in applied mathematics.
“This award was received primarily due to my work with Dr. Robert Grzywacz on experimental low-energy nuclear physics. This award will allow me the freedom of choice in my area of research as I work towards my Ph.D.,” Peltier said.
Daniel Perkins, of Knoxville, is a graduate student in data science and engineering. The fellowship will support his work on the development of an AI-powered evacuation system for active shooter scenarios. The system combines computer vision and deep reinforcement learning to track threats in real time and guide evacuees along the safest and fastest routes.
“As a first-generation Ph.D. student, I am grateful to my mentors, professors and friends for their support along the way. The NSF GRFP will allow me to focus fully on what matters most — developing AI systems with real societal impact.”
Avery Stubbings hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is a graduate student studying computer engineering. The fellowship will support his research proposal of applying interactive machine learning techniques to low‑power microcontrollers so users can personalize models in real time.
“I am super excited to be an NSF GRFP recipient, as it gives me the flexibility and resources to explore human‑centered tiny machine learning techniques and push forward more accessible adaptive AI systems,” Stubbing said.
Emily Walker, of Knoxville, earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental and soil science from UT in 2023 and will return to the university in fall 2026 to begin graduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology. The fellowship will support her project focusing on the genomic detection of urban stress and adaptation in a native solitary bee.
“Being awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is both a tremendous honor and a pivotal moment in my academic career, providing the support I need to begin my graduate studies this fall. In a time of widespread uncertainty, it will enable me to move forward with confidence and excitement,” Walker said.
Ella Williams, of Knoxville, is a graduate student studying energy science and engineering. The fellowship will support her research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on integrating lithium metal anodes into solid-state battery systems to attain energy-dense batteries.
“I am extremely grateful to be chosen as a fellowship recipient, and I look forward to improving our relationship to natural resources and stewardship of God’s gifts through my research,” Williams said.
Recognized as the state’s top public university and a national leader in student success, UT is committed to supporting students in their pursuit of research, creative activity and nationally competitive fellowships. Seniors interested in applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program can contact Undergraduate Research and Fellowships for more information. Graduate students are encouraged to work with their departmental supervisors.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, [email protected])