Reposted from UMBC News: Eight Retrievers awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships by Sarah Hansen
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Eight UMBC students and alumni have been awarded the prestigious 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP), a highly competitive honor that supports outstanding graduate students in STEM disciplines. This year's large cohort of Retriever recipients demonstrates the university's commitment to fostering research excellence and preparing students to become leaders in their fields. Three of the eight recipients are connected to the CBEE department.
Meredith Morse '25, chemical engineering, and Terra Miley '25, chemical engineering, are both conducting doctoral work at the University of Delaware. Both credit their time in UMBC's Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering as foundational to their success.
For Terra, her undergraduate experience was transformative in every sense:
"My experiences at UMBC within CBEE have truly led me to exactly where I am today. The CBEE department is a very special place filled with opportunities and faculty and staff that truly support its students. The transformative research opportunities, mentorship, supportive community, and the education I received from the department allowed me to build the foundation I needed to grow as a leader and pursue my PhD."
Terra's research in Dr. Govind Rao's lab at the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology sparked a passion that now drives her doctoral work:
"Working in Dr. Govind Rao's lab exposed me to research that pushed the boundaries of what engineering and biology can do together, especially through novel, accessible tools in sensor technology. My research experience at UMBC evolved into the curiosity that motivates my research today, in using an engineering approach to transform science in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry to make medicines and pharmaceuticals more accessible."
Terra also highlighted the broader mentorship network that supported her journey: "Apart from just my research mentors, I was lucky to have other mentors, like Dr. Neha Raikar, who supported me in many different advisor roles — academic, organizational through AIChE, and teaching — and served as a constant source of encouragement throughout my undergraduate experience."
Meredith similarly points to her UMBC experience as essential preparation for graduate school:
"My experience as an undergrad at UMBC prepared me well for my next step as a PhD student. The rigorous coursework, research experience, and involvement in organizations including AIChE and CWIT helped me develop both professionally and personally. The most important thing I gained from my time at UMBC was grit — the ability to persevere through the challenges and difficulties that come with graduate school."
Her curiosity about microbial systems, sparked during undergraduate research, now defines her doctoral focus:
"At UMBC, I investigated how the fungal cell wall is regulated and how that impacts the performance of sustainable materials made out of fungi. Now as a graduate student at Delaware, I am investigating how microbial communities can be leveraged to break down plastic waste. I am excited by developing sustainable solutions to global challenges by pursuing a career in research, starting with obtaining my PhD."
Meredith also emphasized the lasting impact of faculty mentorship: "I benefited greatly from the support of my many mentors at UMBC, but in particular my research mentor Dr. Mark Marten. I met Dr. Marten through CWIT's faculty-mentor program in my freshman year, and he provided me advice and guidance throughout my college career. He helped me face my imposter syndrome and build confidence in myself as a researcher."
Sydney Braithwaite, who completed her bachelor's in forensic chemistry at Towson University, will bring her fellowship to UMBC for doctoral study with Lee Blaney, professor of chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering. Her path to UMBC began with a research experience that changed her trajectory:
"In summer of 2023, I participated in the BEMORE REU at UMBC and worked with Dr. Lee Blaney's lab on their anion exchange passive sampler project. That summer opened my eyes to the possibilities of research as a career, and I made connections with Dr. Blaney's lab and the rest of my cohort that persist to this day. This is part of why I came back to UMBC for my PhD. With Dr. Blaney as my mentor, I'm excited to come back and work with him and the rest of the Blaney lab on their various PFAS-centric and nutrient recovery projects."
The GRFP provides three years of financial support, including an annual living stipend and funds for tuition and fees. Recipients can take their fellowship to any institution in the U.S., making it easier for students to pursue the research they are passionate about with faculty who share their enthusiasm, regardless of the resources available at the host institution.
These fellowships are a testament to the drive and talent of UMBC's graduates as they take on new challenges along their research journeys. Each is in a strong position to make their mark on scientific discovery and innovation across the country.