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Three ISU students win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

April 28, 2025

AMES, Iowa – Three Iowa State University students have been awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. They are Michael Galvin, a senior in chemical engineering from Moline, Ill.; Bradyn Weaver, a senior in chemistry from Burlington; and Seth Zoppelt, a graduate student in aerospace engineering from Ohioville, Pennsylvania.

Additionally, two ISU alumni received the award, while eight current ISU students and 11 ISU alumni were announced as honorable mentions.

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time, research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering or math or STEM education. The program provides three years of support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for research achievements in STEM or STEM education.

The Center for Communication Excellence at ISU advises graduate students applying to the program, and the office of Nationally Competitive Awards advises undergraduate applicants.

Meet the students

A portrait photo of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Michael Galvin

Michael Galvin

Senior, Chemical engineering
Moline, Illinois

Research goals: I am interested in exploring electrochemical transformations to upgrade or remove harmful chemicals from the environment.

Future plans: I want to be a professor of chemical engineering to explore my passions for research and education.

A portrait photo of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Bradyn Weaver

Bradyn Weaver

Senior, Chemistry
Burlington, Iowa

Research goals: In my future work as a chemistry Ph.D. student, I will develop new operando methods for analyzing solution and solid-state reactions.

Future plans: After my Ph.D., I will pursue a career in materials research that will take the form of postdoctoral work or industry research.

A portrait photo of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Seth Zoppelt

Seth Zoppelt 

Graduate student, Aerospace engineering
Ohioville, Pennsylvania

Research topics: High-fidelity multidisciplinary design optimization of rotorcraft propellers with experimental validation for both Earth- and Mars-based systems. 

Future plans: Pursue an engineering role in industry, with a particular emphasis on propeller and/or drone design for Earth- and Mars-based systems. 

Contacts

Kelli Fitzpatrick, University Honors Program, kfitzpat@iastate.edu, 515-294-0172

Kristin Guess, News Service, kguess@iastate.edu, 515-294-6136