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Graduate School STEM & Industry Initiatives
All Graduate School STEM & Industry Initiatives are made possible through a special allocation from the state and in partnership with the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors.
Current Opportunities
The Graduate School is currently accepting applications for the current opportunities. Please refer to each application for details about eligibility and funding terms. In the context of the below opportunities through the Graduate School, Industry is defined as any non-academic, external organization and includes government, for-profit, nonprofit, and professional organizations. If there are any questions, please reach out to the STEM Program Coordinator, Dr. Rieta Drinkwine (rdrinkw@clemson.edu).
Industry-Related Events Sponsorship Request
Any organization or department at Clemson hosting an event for graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows that engages with industry is eligible to submit a sponsorship request for up to $500 from the Graduate School. Requests do not need to specify how sponsorship funds will be used; however, funding cannot be used to purchase food. Funding will be disbursed to the department, who will handle any additional disbursement of funds, including if a student or postdoctoral organization requests funding. Events receiving sponsorship will be required to complete a brief post-event report.
If there are any questions, please reach out to the Graduate School's STEM Program Coordinator, Dr. Rieta Drinkwine (rdrinkw@clemson.edu). Application may be accessed at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/8k9LGLBWeP
Note: We are limited to only supporting Clemson student organizations and departments and are unable to support unaffiliated entities. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in the order they are received, and preference will be given to organizations and/or departments who have not previously received STEM & Industry funding. Once all funding has been awarded, the application will close.
Graduate Students
STEM Graduate Student Summer 2025 Internship with Industry
Students who will be completing a paid or unpaid internship during Summer 2025 are encouraged to apply for this grant. The total possible grant award amount per student is $4,000, which will be disbursed to awarded students following the successful completion of an internship with industry and INT 8010 (0 credit hours) during the summer term. Successful completion of an internship will require working a minimum of 160 hours, and the Graduate School will also cover any fees related to the INT 8010 course. This opportunity is open to both domestic and international students.
Grant Application Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a full-time graduate student at Clemson in a STEM degree program;
- Must be in good standing (3.0 GPA or higher) and have completed at least one semester before the start of the internship;
- Must not be on an assistantship during Summer 2025;
- Internship site must be with industry or another non-academic organization, such as a nonprofit or government organization.
Application may be accessed at this link or through the Career Center’s website at https://career.clemson.edu/resources/graduate-school-grant-stem-internship-with-industry/
Note: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in the order they are received, and preference will be given to students who have not previously received STEM & Industry funding. Preference will also be given to students completing internships in South Carolina and/or with South Carolina-based organizations. Once all funding has been awarded, the application will close.Faculty
GRA STEM and Industry Funding Request – New Incoming Students
The Graduate School anticipates receiving an additional allocation of funding for the 2025-26 academic year to support STEM-based research that engages industry. Faculty, who are affiliated with STEM degree programs and are currently conducting or plan to conduct research in collaboration with industry and/or other external non-academic organizations, may be eligible for one-time funding to support project-related graduate student research assistants for the upcoming academic year through the Graduate School.
Please complete this form for any potential new student you would like to have funded through this opportunity, including incoming GEM associate fellows. Both domestic and international students will be considered, and forms can be completed retroactively for students that have already been admitted for Fall 2025. Priority funding areas include: collaborations with external organizations in South Carolina, first generation graduate students, students from rural communities in South Carolina, and projects that have not been previously funded through this opportunity.
For projects with existing external industry and/or non-academic collaborations, please include supporting documentation in the form of the relationship, such as a letter of support from the external organization. For projects that will be establishing new collaborations with a non-academic entity, documentation will be requested at the beginning of the Spring 2026 semester to ensure continued funding for graduate research assistants.
Graduate students will receive a stipend of $20,000 total for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, as well as institutional GAD. Departments are encouraged to supplement this funding to ensure students are funded at the standard departmental level. Students funded through this opportunity will be expected to complete a summer internship with one of the project’s affiliated external organizations, and the internship will also be funded through the Graduate School. Departments will be responsible for funding to support students after the initial STEM & Industry funding through the Graduate School.
Application may be accessed through Slate or by reaching out to Dr. Rieta Drinkwine (rdrinkw@clemson.edu) and requesting the link.
Note: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in the order they are received. Funding determinations will be made April prior to the funding deadline.
Graduate School GRA STEM & Industry Funding Admissions Form FAQ
Funded Initiatives
STEM & Industry Graduate Research Assistantships
Faculty who are affiliated with STEM degree programs and who are conducting research in collaboration with industry and other non-academic organizations received support from the Graduate School to project-related graduate student research assistants for the 2024-2025 academic year through the Graduate School.
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Academic Year 2024-2025 Funded Projects
Dr. Jim Anderson
Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Saltmarsh Mitigation Strategies for a Changing Climate
Project Overview: We are collaborating with Southeast Mitigation on research investigating implementing oysters into salt marsh restoration to enhance ecosystem services and increase the value of each mitigation credit.
Student Name: Christopher Pettengill, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Ph.D., CAFLS
Student Bio: Christopher is a Ph.D. student at Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science studying how the colonization of a restoration site by oysters will impact restoration outcomes through their ecosystem services. He obtained his Master's degree from the University of Alabama, where he researched how the removal of beaver dam alters aquatic insect communities and the proportions of their functional groups.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Bill Baldwin
Biological Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Assessment of the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPFs) and adverse health outcomes.
Morgan will be tasked with surveying the literature to assess availability of data that inform mechanistic activity and biological pathways linking ultra-processed foods to human disease with particular attention to metabolic diseases. Potential risks will be assessed. In addition, other research and duties may include assessing risk of chemicals, improving standard operating procedures, learning about the scientific consulting industry and improving technical and communication skills needed in scientific consulting.
Student name: Morgan Jacobellis, Environmental Toxicology M.S., SCIENCE
Student Bio: Morgan Jacobellis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies from Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology at Clemson University. Her current research investigates how chemical mixtures containing persistent pollutants disrupt energy homeostasis. Morgan is passionate about driving sustainable innovation in environmental health and toxicology.
Spring, Summer 2025
Dr. Kaileigh Byrne
Psychology
Title of Industry-related Research Project: The Role of Autobiographical Memory on Cortisol, Oxytocin and Well-Being
Project Overview: This study will compare viewing autobiographical memories through Heirloom Cloud's platform to a control group (neutral, non-personal images) on changes in oxytocin levels, cortisol levels, physiological reactivity, and well-being.
Student Name: Will Stephens, Applied Psychology M.S., CBSHS
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Chien-fei Chen
Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Interdisciplinary Research on Resilience Hub and Community Engagement
Project Overview: This interdisciplinary research project aims to establish resilience hubs in South Carolina that serve as critical resources for energy and environmental justice. These hubs will provide community-centered support, ensuring reliable access to energy and essential resources during extreme weather events and other crises. Designed to empower disadvantaged and rural communities, the resilience hubs will focus on equitable access to information, emergency preparedness, and sustainable energy solutions. By fostering local partnerships and integrating community feedback, this project seeks to address systemic inequities, enhance community resilience, and support long-term sustainability through tailored resources and educational programs
Student Name: Praise Ayinla, Policy Studies Ph.D., CBSHS
Student Bio: Praise Ayinla is a Ph.D. student interested in climate resilience, community collaboration and environmental policy. Her research explores how coastal communities in the U.S. collaborate to build resilience against climate-related events while enhancing energy efficiency for low-income households. She is passionate about fostering engagement and building partnerships that drive effective local adaptation measures to flooding and power outages.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Qiushi Chen
Civil Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: In situ characterization and computational modeling of lunar regolith
Project Overview: The overarching goal is to develop capabilities for the in situ characterization of lunar regolith and extraction of water from icy regolith. The current focus is on the development of computational models for lunar drills and regolith conveyors and simulating their interactions with lunar regoliths in varying gravity conditions.
Student Name: Jesus Badal, Civil Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Jesus Badal is an avid researcher who uses laboratory experiments and the capabilities of discrete element modeling (DEM) to simulate regolith-tool interactions in non-terrestrial environment. He is also a husband and father and the first person in his family to excel in academia and earn a higher education degree. Jesus earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering from his alma mater, The University of the District of Columbia, and he is currently in the third year of his Ph.D. program in the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering at Clemson University.
Other Fellowships: Bridge to Doctorate (B2D)
Spring 2025
Student Name: Daniel Gaines, Civil Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Daniel has degrees in Civil Engineering and Chemistry with a minor in Business Administration. He also has a few years of experience in robotic warehousing and currently works as a structural engineer part time. The main topic of Daniel’s research is lunar and Martian regolith interaction computational modeling.
Spring 2025
Dr. Christopher Chouinard
Chemistry
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Technology and Method Development using Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) High-Resolution Ion Mobility
Project Overview: Ralph Aderorho is collaborating with MOBILion Systems to develop novel methods and technology for high-resolution ion mobility-mass spectrometry. This has included technological advances such as the use of alternative buffer gases and ionization sources, as well as applications towards illicit drug testing.
Student Name: Ralph Aderorho, Chemistry Ph.D., College of Science
Student Bio: Ralph is an Analytical Chemistry Ph.D. candidate at Clemson University, focusing on the separation and characterisation of novel psychoactive substances using ion mobility mass spectrometry. He holds an M.S. in Analytical chemistry from Sheffield Hallam University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun. With hands-on experience in advanced chromatographic, Ion mobility and mass spectrometry techniques, Ralph is well-versed in cutting-edge analytical methods.
Fall 2024
Student Name: Heidi Sabatini, Chemistry Ph.D., College of Science
Student Bio: Heidi obtained her B.S. in Chemistry from College of Charleston, where she used mass spectrometry to study the photodegradation of pharmaceuticals. She is interested in environmental applications of analytical chemistry including using ion mobility-mass spectrometry for the measurement of pollutants including PFAS substances.
Spring 2025
Dr. Lyndsey Deaton
Architecture
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Post-Occupancy Evaluation Toolkit for Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Facilities
Project Overview: The toolkit for Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of milieu spaces in children’s behavioral health facilities aims to inspire a transformation within the industry, fostering improvements in the quality of design for such facilities. For design teams, the POE toolkit facilitates the collection of real-time data and the identification of post-occupancy issues. It provides guidance to owners and firms on gathering, analyzing, and organizing data pertaining to the quality of these facilities, thereby influencing both current and future projects. Additionally, the toolkit encourages clients, owners, and design teams to broaden their perspective beyond conventional commissioning practices, which typically focus on verifying the functionality of building systems. Instead, it encourages inquiries into the suitability of design for its intended purpose and its impact on user outcomes. By leveraging the toolkit, clients and stakeholders can pinpoint areas where investments did not yield anticipated results, enabling informed financial decision-making in subsequent projects to optimize cost effectiveness.
Student Name: Gianna Capurso, Architecture + Health MArch, CAAC
Student Bio: Gianna Capurso received her Bachelor of fine arts in Interior Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Architecture + Health while attending Clemson University.
Fall 2024
Student Name: Yash Salian, Architecture + Health MArch, CAAC
Student Bio: Yash Salian is a graduate student from Mumbai, India, currently pursuing his Master of Architecture in Architecture + Health at Clemson University. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture and Environmental Studies, India. Yash is passionate about designing inclusive and health-focused environments that enhance well-being.
Spring 2025
Dr. Tim DeVol
Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Separations Research for Radioisotopes of National Interest
Project Overview: The National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Mark-18A Target Material recovery program seeks to recover the incredibly rare isotopes of plutonium and curium from unprocessed irradiated targets that are at the Savannah River Site (SRS). These targets contain more than 80% of existing 244Pu in the world and approximately 80% of the United States inventory of heavy isotopes of curium (Cm-246, Cm-247, Cm-248). The Mark-18A targets were irradiated in the 1970s at SRS where 65 targets remain in wet storage awaiting processing to separate curium. Heavy isotopes of curium are used in the production of other heavy actinides and super-heavy element research – notably the production of Cf-252. The Cf-252 production program uses existing inventories of heavy curium which are expected to be depleted by 2030. Efficient curium separation from lanthanides and other actinides is also of growing importance as we move toward advanced fuel cycles.
Student Name: Cooper Tillman, Environmental Engineering and Science Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Cooper Tillman is a current Ph.D. student in Environmental Engineering and Science in the Nuclear Environmental Engineering Sciences and Radioactive Waste Management (NEERSWM) group. Cooper received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering and M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Clemson University, and he has working experience at the Savannah River National Laboratory and ITER in France. Cooper’s research interests primarily relate to improving chemical separations for nuclear fuel, nuclear waste, and valuable isotopes.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Jesus M. de le Garza
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: RT-420 Implementation of CII Best Practices for Small Projects
Project Overview: Customize, or tailor fit, the existing CII Best Practices to suit the characteristics of Small projects. This customization can be made by re-examining the need for the different dimensions that make up a Best Practice and removing those that are not a good fit for a Small project and by re-calculating the weights of the remaining dimensions. Prior to undertaking this Best Practice customization, it will be necessary to re-define the characteristics of Small projects.
Student Name: Rachel McRea, Civil Engineering M.S., CECAS
Student Bio: Rachel, originally from Charleston, South Carolina, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. She is now advancing her studies by pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, specializing in structures, also at Clemson. Driven by her passion for sustainable design, Rachel aims to make a significant impact in the field of civil engineering.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Pierce Greenberg
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Reaching Rural Businesses: Developing Survey Communication Strategies to Increase Research Participation from Rural Business Owners
Project Overview: This project aims to increase the representation of rural business owners in the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's business survey panel. Our research involves testing whether survey communications that make a tailored appeal towards rural businesses receive higher response rates than a generic appeal for research help. The project involves mailing businesses in Washington, D.C. and the Greenville, SC metropolitan area requests for survey participation and examining how response rates from the rural communications approach in rural SC compares to generic communication appeals in rural SC, urban SC, and Washington, D.C. The project aims to improve how the Richmond Fed contacts and communicates with rural businesses and has broader implications for surveying rural businesses and people.
Student Name: Kylah Rainey, Social Sciences M.S., CBSHS
Student Bio: Kylah Rainey graduated from Clemson University in May of 2024 with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She then went on to Clemson’s M.S. of Social Sciences program to further develop skills in research and community development. She is currently applying to Ph.D. Programs to further her education.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Ethan Kung
Mechanical Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: AI Modeling and Interpretation of Factors Affecting Time Evolution of Important Physiologic Parameters in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Project Overview: We propose to develop a time-evolution AI model that predicts changes in crucial physiologic parameters for ICU patients using continuous ICU data from MUSC. Our emphasis lies in model interpretation—a critical aspect in healthcare applications where understanding of mechanisms is paramount for enhancing patient care.
Student Name: Lakhan Keshav Chauhan, Computer Science M.S., CECAS
Student Bio: Lakhan Chauhan is a Master’s student in Computer Science at Clemson University. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunication from the University of Pune and has gained diverse experience through roles such as Data Engineer and Software Developer at prominent companies in India.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025Dr. Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte
Mechanical Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Confidential
Project Overview: Confidential
Student Name: Manasi Shah, Mechanical Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Manasi holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Pune University, India, completed in 2021. Initially pursuing a Master's degree, she later transitioned to a Ph.D. program, focusing on renewable materials and their applications in sustainable engineering.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Thompson Mefford
Materials Science and Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Reducing Radiation Retinopathy from Plaque Brachytherapy with Silicone Magnetic Fluid
Project Overview: Ocular melanoma, also referred to as uveal melanoma, is a rare but deadly form of cancer which attacks the melanocytes of the eye. This project aims to augment the plaque brachytherapy treatment of ocular melanoma by creating a PDMS-magnetite silicone magnetic fluid capable of protecting the patient’s healthy central vision from radiation retinopathy.
Student Name: Zachary Caprow, Materials Science Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Zachary received his Bachelor’s degree in Nanoscience from Virginia Tech in 2020 and began his Doctoral program at Clemson University in 2021. His research involves the synergistic coupling of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with functional polymer coatings to create versatile polymer nanocomposite materials for biomedical applications. He is the Treasurer of the Clemson Student Chapter of the Materials Research Society (MRS) & a GEM Fellow with sponsorship from ORNL.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Lydia O’Halloran
Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Innovative Land Stewardship through Sustainable Livestock Grazing
Project Overview: The aim of this project is to work collaboratively with Norfolk Southern to advance their sustainability goals through climate smart land management practices. The STEM-Industry Graduate Student Research Assistantship supports field work to quantify impacts of Brosnan Forest’s rotational grazing using Pineywoods cattle on forage production and forage quality. Using a combination of literature reviews, field-based measurements and lab analysis, the student is expanding data and knowledge of how this landscape supports livestock production using an innovative land stewardship strategy.
Brett Jenkinson
Spring 2025
Dr. Brandon Peoples
Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Real-time monitoring of water levels to inform improvement of road-stream crossings for fish passage
Project Overview: Weyerhauser is providing in-kind support in the form of field equipment and logistical assistance for a research project using trail cameras to monitor stream water levels in culverts at road-stream crossings to better understand the attributes of culverts that make them barriers for fish passage. Results will be used to improve road crossing infrastructure on working forests across the Southeast.
Student Name: Lesley Twiner, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology M.S., CAFLS
Student Bio: Lesley Twiner received her B.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management from Louisiana State University in 2018. After graduating from LSU, she went on to work with a variety of private, state, and federal agencies throughout the country. At Clemson, her research is focused on the impact of road-stream crossings on aquatic organism passage.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Prasad Rangaraju
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Use of Low-Carbon Materials for Ultra-High-Performance Concrete Mixtures
Project Overview: The proposed research will explore the use of low-carbon materials in developing ultra-high-performance (UHPC) concrete mixtures. Increasingly, low-carbon cement-based materials are in demand to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete construction. The proposed research will explore the use of waste glass in the form of ground glass pozzolans in UHPC formulations and evaluate the feasibility and performance of such mixtures and develop an engineered solution to achieve the desired performance.
Student Name: Adam Biehl, Civil Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Adam Biehl is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering after completing a Master’s (2024) and Bachelor’s (2022) in Civil Engineering also at Clemson University. He has participated in research primarily focused on cement and concrete with an emphasis on hydration kinetics and the increased implementation of Ultra-High Performance Concrete.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Apparao M. Rao
Physics & Astronomy
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Converting wheat-based coproducts into activated carbon for energy storage applications
Project Overview: Over the years, an imminent shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources has increased focus on electrochemical energy storage devices with high energy and power densities. A key material in this shift is the high surface area activated carbon with suitable pore size and distribution for electrolyte-ion accessibility and mobility. These materials are currently produced outside of the US from various carbon precursors, such as coconut shells, polymer, and biomass products, which are imported. To onshore activated carbon production, the Clemson Nanomaterials Institute (CNI), Clemson University is currently working with Ardent Mills (AM), North America’s leading wheat miller, to develop activated carbon derived from wheat coproducts such as the millfeed. CNI is also collaborating with Kyocera AVX, a leading supercapacitor manufacturer in the world, to use CNI-produced millfeed-derived activated carbon (CMAC) in supercapacitors. While CMAC has wide-ranging applications (e.g., water filter, chemical filtration, etc.), utilizing millfeed will potentially create an onshore source for high-performance activated carbon, which will strengthen the domestic supply chain, support agricultural states, and create a circular agricultural economy (projected > $200 M/year by 2028).
Student Name: Basanta Ghimire, Physics Ph.D., College of Science
Student Bio: Basanta Ghimire, originally from Nepal, is a Ph.D. candidate at Clemson University working on supercapacitors, energy storage systems, and biomedical imaging. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics and is focused on developing advanced thermoelectrochemical cells for efficient waste heat harvesting, as well as enhancing imaging techniques using micro-LED displays. His research aims to improve supercapacitor performance and contribute to innovative solutions in sustainable energy and biomedical applications.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Ravi Ravichandran
Civil Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Development of site-specific seismic site factors and software for designing resilient civil infrastructure systems
Project Overview: The objective of this research project is to develop site-specific seismic site factor models and software for the South Carolina Department of Transportation for designing and constructing transportation infrastructure systems against earthquakes. As part of this project, we conduct thousands of equivalent linear and nonlinear site response analyses considering site-specific geotechnical and seismic conditions and develop efficient and accurate seismic coefficient models incorporating statistical and machine learning algorithms.
Student Name: Jatheesan Sundararajan, Civil Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Jatheesan completed his B.S., majoring in Civil engineering, in Sri Lanka. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Glenn Department of Civil Engineering and serves as both a Graduate Research Assistant and a Graduate Teaching Assistant. His research focuses on nonlinear seismic site response analysis and seismic site factor development. He works under the guidance of Associate Professor Nadarajah Ravichandran.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Student Name: Shailendra Poudyal, Civil Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Shailendra completed his M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering from Nepal and have capacity of deal with Geotechnical Engineering. He has a strong background in soil modeling by using different Geotechnical Engineering software.Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Sez Russcher
Mechanical Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Developing Computationally Efficient Machine Learning Surrogate Models Approximating Computationally Demanding Models
Project Overview: In collaboration with Los Alamos National Lab (LANL) scientists, we will develop validated machine learning surrogate models to approximate computationally demanding material simulation models. Model validation entails evaluating the suitability of mathematical or computer models for their intended purpose. Assessing the predictive accuracy of a mathematical model requires a reference to reality generally provided by a suite of physical experiments. Confidence is gained by assessing and quantifying uncertainty, whether it comes from experimental variability, parametric variability, or modeling uncertainty. Activities generally associated with the validation of engineering models include test-analysis correlation, sensitivity analysis, and model updating.
Alex Knecht
Spring 2025
Dr. Guido Schnabel
Plant and Environmental Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Development of biorational fungicides for management of fruit crop diseases
Project Overview: This project examines the use of GRAS product Calcium Propionate for fruit crop disease management. We will be testing solo and combination products in lab and in field studies. The use of this 'safe' product will contribute to sustainable fruit crop production.
Student Name: Harleen Kaur, Plant and Environmental Sciences Ph.D., CAFLS
Student Bio: Harleen Kaur is a Graduate Research Assistant pursuing her Ph.D. in Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University. She earned her Master of Science in Plant Pathology from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons.) from Punjab Agricultural University, India. Her current research focuses on managing emerging diseases in fruit and ornamental crops through advanced diagnostics and biorational/reduced-risk fungicides in plant protection.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Matt Turnbull
Biological Sciences
Title of Industry-related Research Project: HzNV-2 infection in Heliothine moths
Project Overview: The virus HzNV-2 infects the pest moth, Helicoverpa zea, a significant pest of US agriculture. Data suggest that HzNV-2 may also infect other, related moths. The purpose of this project is to characterize infection and pathologies of HzNV-2 in related species of heliothine moths.
Student Name: Alexis Yoh, Biological Sciences M.S., College of Science
Student Bio: Alexis graduated from Clemson University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Genetics and Minor in Microbiology. She currently Pursuing a M.S. in Biological sciences, studying the insect virus HzNV-2.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Dr. Yuhao Xu
Mechanical Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Autoignition Dynamics of Sustainable Fuels at Elevated Pressures in Microgravity
Project Overview: This research aims to look into the autoignition dynamics of hydrocarbon and sustainable fuels at elevated pressures. The results will provide insight into how fuel burns in environments related to practical engines and the potential of various liquid fuels for reduced emissions and environmental sustainability.
Spring 2025
Dr. Tianyu Zhu
Materials Science and Engineering
Title of Industry-related Research Project: Low-cost and scalable manufacturing of lithium iron phosphate cathode for lithium batteries
Project Overview: In this project, we will develop and scale up the synthesis of lithium iron phosphate cathodes from low-cost raw materials. We will also provide raw material selection guidelines by investigating the correlation between raw material purity, product quality, and cell performance.
Student Name: Xinyue Liu, Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Xinyue Liu holds a Master's in materials science and engineering and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in materials science and engineering at Clemson.
Fall 2024; Spring 2025
Other Initiatives Supported by STEM and Industry Funds
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Bridge to Doctorate (B2D)
For more information about Clemson’s Bridge to Doctorate program, please visit: https://www.clemson.edu/graduate/academics/stem-cubd.html
Brandon Sanders
Biological Sciences Ph.D., College of Science
Jasmine Davidson
Human-Centered Computing Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Jasmine is currently a third year Ph.D. student in the School of Computing's Human-Centered Computing Program. With a Bachelor's in Liberal arts and Master’s in Business in Administration, she has a multitude of skills and experiences pertaining to Computer Science, Business & Management, and Healthcare. Her scholarly activities utilize mixed methods to research human-AI interactions in teaming environments, aiming to improve AI-driven pyschoanalytic data models for enhanced performance outcomes in healthcare and government settings.
Ryan Watts
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Ph.D., College of Science
Student Bio: Ryan Watts is an alumni of Mount Carmel high school and Ball State university where he received his B.S. in ACS chemistry. He currently researches in the laboratory of Dr. Hong Luo at Clemson University as a Ph.D. student. Ryan hopes to graduate from Clemson and found his own tech startup in the future.
Other Fellowships: GEM Associate Fellow
Samirah Muhammad
Chemistry Ph.D., College of Science
Student Bio: Samirah earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2021. Samirah's research is centered on synthetic organic chemistry, with a focus on developing synthetic methods for the synthesis of valuable products.
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GEM Fellows
For more information about GEM Fellowships, please visit:
https://www.gemfellowship.org/Azaveshe Daniyan
Industrial Engineering M.S., CECAS
Student Bio: Azaveshe Daniyan is from Dallas, Texas and is a recent graduate from the United States Military academy at West Point. While at West Point, he majored in Engineering Management and played football his entire time at the academy. Upon completion of receiving his Master's, he will venture out into the army where he will serve as a 2nd Lieutenant Combat Engineer.
Daniel Hossack
Bioengineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Daniel is a 1st year Ph.D. student in Bioengineering in Dr. Cottle's lab assessing the safety and precision of our gene editing tools used for treating inherited metabolic diseases. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Biochemical Engineering from the University of Georgia in 2023 where he researched modeling treatments through artificial cell membranes. Additionally, Daniel served as a Lab Technician I at Morehouse School of Medicine performing research on mother-to-fetus pathogens.
Lidadi Agbomi
Bioengineering Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Lidadi Agbomi is a Ph.D. student at Clemson University. She received her undergrad from Clemson in bioengineering with a concentration in biomaterials and a minor in chemistry. Her current research is in creating an in vitro model for testing ischemic strokes.
Naomi Edegbe
Mathematical Sciences M.S., College of Science
Sofia Brewer
Engineering and Science Education Ph.D., CECAS
Student Bio: Sofia Brewer earned her Bachelor of Science in Integrated Sciences from Pennsylvania State University in May 2024. She was also a member of the eighth cohort of Millennium Scholars Program at Penn State, an affiliate of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
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Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grants
Please see the Division of Research’s webpage about Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grants for information about current recipients. Graduate School STEM and Industry funds were used to support students from STEM degree fields.
STEM Postdoctoral Teaching Fellows
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Funded Teaching Fellows
Content coming soon!