Rice University graduate students have once again earned national recognition for their research excellence, with a Rice record of scholars named recipients of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
The NSF GRFP is among the most competitive fellowships in the United States, supporting outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Fellows receive three years of funding over a five-year period, enabling them to pursue innovative research while developing as leaders in their fields.
This year’s awardees from Rice represent a wide range of disciplines — from bioengineering and computer science to earth science and physics— reflecting the university’s strength in interdisciplinary graduate research.
From designing next-generation biomedical technologies to advancing sustainable infrastructure and exploring fundamental questions in physics, Rice’s NSF GRFP recipients are tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges.
Their work reflects the breadth of graduate research at Rice — where students are empowered to pursue ambitious ideas, collaborate across disciplines and translate discovery into real-world impact.
Rice’s Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) continues to play a key role in supporting students pursuing competitive national fellowships like the NSF GRFP.
Through its Fellowship Coaching Program, GPS provides structured support including:
- One-on-one proposal coaching
- Peer review and feedback sessions
- Workshops focused on statements and broader impacts
The program helps students not only strengthen their applications but also clarify their research goals and communicate the broader significance of their work.
“Applying for fellowships like the NSF GRFP is an important professional milestone,” said Randi McInerney, program administrator of graduate student fellowships. “Through coaching and mentorship, we want to ensure our students have the tools and confidence to put forward a compelling application.”
While the NSF GRFP is highly competitive, Rice continues to encourage students across all eligible disciplines to apply. The process itself — developing a research vision, articulating impact and refining scientific communication — is a valuable part of graduate training.
Students interested in applying are encouraged to connect with GPS early to take advantage of coaching resources and workshops.
As this year’s fellows continue their graduate journeys, they join a growing community of Rice researchers recognized at the national level. Their work underscores Rice’s commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation and preparing the next generation of scientific leaders.
These fellows will be formally recognized at the annual “Take the Cake” celebration in fall 2026 — a campus tradition that brings together the graduate community to honor student achievements, milestone awards and the collective impact of Rice research.
2026 NSF GRFP winners at Rice
The following Rice graduate students were selected as 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellows:
- Caleb Dang — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Ryan Gabriel Diaz — Computer Science (Ph.D.)
- Matthew Doty — Physics and Astronomy (Ph.D.)
- Jonathan Lawrence Fascetti — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Eddie Hyunmin Kim — Computer Science (Ph.D.)
- Albert Li — Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.)
- Leanh Nguyen — Civil and Environmental Engineering (Ph.D.)
- Calvin S. Paulsen — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Manini Penikalapati — Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology (Ph.D.)
- Eleanor Louann Sabalewski — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Valeria Sanchez — Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.)
- William M. Smith — Applied Physics (Ph.D.)
- Spencer Cole Solberg — Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.)
- Hanen Su — Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology (Ph.D.)
- Kadena Kame Weaver — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
The following incoming Rice graduate students were selected as 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellows:
- Hamzeh Al-Qawasmi — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Esha Ananth, Engineering –- Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Olivia Beddow — Chemistry (Ph.D.)
- Joseph A DePinho — Engineering - Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.)
- Deniz Eksioglu — Materials Science and NanoEngineering (Ph.D.)
- Chance Alexander French — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Eva Frances Gbur — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Christine Kirby — Business (Ph.D.) with Major Concentration in Finance
- Jeancarlos Llerena — Materials Science and NanoEngineering (Ph.D.)
- Emily Riedhauser — Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology (Ph.D.)
- Isabella Vasquez — Engineering - Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
- Victoria Villagomez — Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (Ph.D.)
- Evan Wang — Bioengineering (Ph.D.)
The following current graduate students received honorable mention honors.
- Brooke Beardshall — Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Ph.D.)
- Sayuri Jayawardena — Biochemistry and Cell Biology (Ph.D.)
- Emilia Mann — Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.)
The following incoming graduate students received honorable mention honors.
- Olivia Cunningham — Digital Health (MDH)
- Parth Rana — Bioengineering (Ph.D)