Several graduate students in the Iowa State University Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) recently received departmental awards and scholarships: Scott Blazanin, Tyler Del Rose, Yifan Li, Matthew Marander, Madison Olson and Skye Supakul.
Scott Blazanin
Scott Blazanin received the Wayne G. Basler Graduate Scholarship in Materials Science and Engineering. This award is made annually to an MSE graduate student who exemplifies an exceptionally high level of dedication to education, demonstrating the desire and work ethic it takes to be the best they can be. The scholarship is awarded in the amount of $5,000.
“I am very honored to be selected as the first recipient of this award and will do my best to continue to uphold the value of education in my life and career,” Blazanin said. “I must thank my advisor, Dr. Peter Collins, as well as my mentor and friend, Cecil Massie, for helping me productively channel my curiosity and giving me opportunities to apply my learning.”
Tyler Del Rose
Tyler Del Rose received two awards: The Karl Gschneider “Go for the Gold” Student Research Prize and the 2021 Rohit Trivedi Best Paper Award. The “Go for the Gold” award is given annually to an MSE student for the most exciting breakthrough materials research carried out in the academic year. The award is a $1,000 cash prize and a certificate. The Rohit Trivedi award is given annually to an MSE student for the most outstanding journal publication in the field of MSE. The awardee receives a $500 cash prize and a certificate.
“Receiving awards that were established by two very distinguished members of the Iowa State Materials Science and Engineering community is truly a remarkable experience,” Del Rose said.
Yifan Li
Yifan Li was awarded the 2020 Rohit Trivedi Best Paper Award. This award is given annually to an MSE student for the most outstanding journal publication in the field of MSE. The awardee receives a $500 cash prize and a certificate.
“It is a huge honor for me to receive this prestigious award,” Li said. “I am very thankful to my advisor, Prof. Shan Jiang, for his valuable guidance and support. Also, many thanks to my previous and current group members for their help on the experiments and lab work. The skills and experiences I gained from this project not only led to a nice publication but also fostered me to grow as a better researcher.”
Matthew Marander
Matthew Marander received the McGee-Wagner Materials Science and Engineering Scholarship. This award is made annually to one or more MSE graduate students working in the area of ceramics engineering who exhibit excellence in research and scholarship. The award provides funds to support tuition costs.
“It’s a pleasure early in my academic career to see the time and work I have put in over the spring semester and summer pay off to be able to further my efforts,” Marander said.
Madison Olson
Madison Olson received the McGee-Wagner Materials Science and Engineering Scholarship. This award is made annually to one or more MSE graduate students working in the area of ceramics engineering who exhibit excellence in research and scholarship. The award provides funds to support tuition costs.
“It feels amazing to be acknowledged for my work, not only as an undergraduate but also as a graduate student continuing my education in the field of ceramics,” Olson said. “I would like to thank my major professor, Dr. Steve Martin, for recognizing my breakthroughs in ceramic engineering and nominating me for this award.”
Skye Supakul
Skye Supakul received the McGee-Wagner Materials Science and Engineering Scholarship. This award is made annually to one or more MSE graduate students working in the area of ceramics engineering who exhibit excellence in research and scholarship. The award provides funds to support tuition costs.
“I am very grateful to be receiving this award,” Supakul said. “It’s been a pleasure learning about MAX phase ceramics, and I am looking forward to performing future research work on understanding the unique deformation mechanisms in these atomically layered materials and developing novel composite microstructures with MAX phase ceramics.”