OSU graduate receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Elizabeth Casey, a biosystems engineering major, recently was named the recipient of a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in December 2006 and currently is attending Purdue University where she is pursuing a master’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering.
Casey said the application process was rather lengthy and involved. She had to write three different essays, along with a personal statement and indicate her research experience.
“I also had to provide a research proposal,” Casey said. “My proposal was working on improving ethanol yield from lignocellulosic material. This is basically producing ethanol from agricultural waste such as corn stover.”
Casey will receive a $30,000 stipend each year for the three-year program, along with a $10,000 tuition allotment.
The NSF aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering approximately 1,000 graduate fellowships in this competition. The Graduate Research Fellowship provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are at the early stages of their graduate study. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program invests in graduate education for a cadre of diverse individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation.
Casey said she believes her application was strong because of the research experience she gained at OSU.
“Elizabeth benefited from a wealth of enrichment experiences at OSU. As a freshman she worked on a project examining the properties of watermelon juice. Through the Food and Ag Products Center, she was exposed to additional food products and processes,” said Ron Elliott, department head, biosystems and agricultural engineering. “Elizabeth was a key member of a student design/build team that won first place in a national competition, and served as team leader for her capstone Senior Design project. In May 2005 Elizabeth participated in the BAE-sponsored study abroad course in Italy. She served as an intern in process engineering with two different companies – Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Pennsylvania, and CP Kelco in Oklahoma.
“In addition to being an outstanding student and scholar, Elizabeth was very involved in campus and professional activities,” Elliot continued. “She is definitely what we would refer to as an ‘engaged’ student. Elizabeth has a very bright future and will continue to make OSU proud.”
Following the completion of her master’s degree, Casey plans to pursue a career in some area of ethanol production.
Casey is a 2002 graduate of Tulsa Union High School and is the daughter of Dennis and Monica Casey.