Archive: Graduate Student & Alumni Profiles
Below you will find an archive of graduate students and alumni who have been profiled over the years. The Graduate School thanks them for sharing their stories.
Earth Sciences: John Scannella, Ph.D. 2015
John Scannella always wanted to become a paleontologist. He earned his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences in 2015. Watch his video to learn more about his path to MSU and his research.
- John discusses paleontology, his work in the Hell Creek Project in Montana, and the evolution of the Triceratops in his TEDx Bozeman presentation on May 20, 2015.
- John was named John R. Horner Curator of Paleontology at Museum of the Rockies on June 5, 2017!
Physics & History: Diverse Students, Diverse Research
From Michigan to Mumbai and points in between, MSU draws many talented graduate students to its degree programs. Harsh Bhatkar and Natalie Scheidler hail from different parts of the globe and study diverse fields, but have a similar passion for their research and MSU. Meet them in this short video.
Harsh graduated with his Ph.D. in 2015 and Natalie completed her Ph.D. in 2016. Congratulations, Dr. Bhatkar and Dr. Scheidler!
Molecular Biosciences Program: Luis O’mar Serrano Figueroa, Ph.D., 2015
The interdisciplinary nature of the Molecular Biosciences Program drew Puerto Rico native Luis O’mar Serrano Figueroa to MSU.
Luis successfully completed his doctoral degree in Spring 2015. Congratulations, Dr. Serrano Figueroa!
Mechanical Engineering: David Driscoll, Alumnus & Former McNair Scholar
The McNair Scholars Program serves undergraduate students who are either first-generation/low-income or underrepresented minorities. Scholars are selected who have demonstrated strong academic potential and are committed to attending graduate school. McNair Scholars receive research opportunities and financial support for summer projects with a faculty mentor. Meet David Dricsoll, a former McNair Scholar, who earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2016.
Meet Research Grant Recipients: Meghan Livers, Art History & Ted Maldonado, Psychology
In spring 2015, The Graduate School was pleased to team with the Office of the Vice President for Research & Economic Development and the Office of the Provost in offering Graduate Student Research Grants to support student research activities. Over $30,000 was awarded to 23 students across a variety of academic disciplines. These projects are aligned with the student’s current thesis, dissertation and studio objective. Meet research grant recipients Meghan Livers, M.A. in Art History, and Ted Maldonado, M.S. in Psychology. Congratulations to both Meghan and Ted, who both graduated in 2016!
Meet a Washington Fellow: Michael Munson, Educational Leadership
In both 2014 and 2015, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Native American Graduate Fellowship was presented to Michael Munson, an Ed.D. candidate in Educational Leadership. Meet Ms. Munson, find out about her research and learn of her career aspirations.
Michael completed her Ed.D. in 2017. Congratulations, Dr. Munson!
Collaborative Research: Film & Engineering
The vibrant and collaborative environment at MSU make it a great place to attend graduate school. When Science and Natural History Filmmaking MFA student Abigail Kent was searching for a subject for her second year project, she had to look no further than her fellow graduate students. Her film, “Avalanche Engineers,” is a collaboration with Anthony LeBaron and David Walters, Ph.D. candidates in Civil Engineering/Applied Mechanics. Ms. Kent’s film was chosen as an official selection in the 2014 Imagine Science and Flagstaff Mountain film festivals. Click here to watch “Avalanche Engineers.”
Abigail graduated with her MFA in 2015, David earned his Ph.D. in 2016, and Anthony earned his Ph.D. in 2017. Congratulations to all!
Meet a Sloan Scholar: Anita Moore-Nall
The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership aims to increase the number of Indigenous Americans earning master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines. Meet Sloan Scholar Anita Moore-Nall from Earth Sciences.
Anita graduated with her Ph.D. in 2017. Congratulations Dr. Moore-Nall!