Nineteen graduate students at Rice University have been named 2023 Fellows of the National GEM (Graduate Education for Minorities) Consortium. The fellowship creates opportunities for graduate students to pursue career paths in industry or academia through connection with employers and universities.
“The GEM program has a great track record of identifying talented graduate students,” said Dean Seiichi Matsuda. “Several of Rice’s star faculty, including President DesRoches, got their start with GEM Consortium recognition and support.”
In the four decades since the consortium’s founding, GEM has helped thousands of students in engineering and natural sciences identify opportunities for career pathways in industry and academia, and supported them in securing funding for graduate education.
“We are thrilled for all of our new GEM Fellows,” said Jennifer Hunter, assistant dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies. “This is a high mark of distinction, and we look forward to seeing what they will each accomplish next.”
The complete list of this year’s Rice GEM Fellows is as follows:
GEM Employer Fellows:
Employer fellows are awarded full tuition and fees from Rice University. Additionally, a GEM employer sponsor provides $16,000 toward stipend and an internship.
Eyobel Haile, Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
Jorge Chumbipuma, Ph.D. in Computational Applied Math and Operations Research
Elena Mujica, Ph.D. in Systems, Synthetic & Physical Biology
Joshua-James Claybon, Master’s in Computer Science
David Quiroga, Ph.D. Computer Science
GEM Associate Fellows:
Associate Fellows are awarded full tuition and fees by the GEM member university, and are provided a stipend that supports the cost of living.
Thomas Kutcher, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
Sofia Urbina, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Zina Deriche, Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Inioluwa Ojediran, Ph.D. in Bioengineering
Jose Hernandez, Ph.D. in Bioengineering
Nicole Harris, Ph.D. in Bioengineering
Lois Armendariz, Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Cell Biology
GEM University Fellows:
University Fellows are awarded full tuition and fees by the GEM member university.
Aderinsola Adeleke, Master’s in Bioengineering, MBE
Mirian Vargas, Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
Destinee Carter, Master’s in Computer Science
Juan Tellez, Master’s in Bioengineering, MBE
Santiago Gonzalez Bonilla, Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Jordan Callies, Master’s in Bioengineering, MBE
Carla Canales, Master’s in Bioengineering, MBE