Six undergraduates from Rice University’s Wiess School of Natural Sciences have been awarded research fellowships as part of the Russell Shearn Moody Pathway to Research in the Natural Sciences, which provides a vital platform for immersive, career-shaping scientific research. Each recipient is awarded $10,000 to support their projects, which covers summer stipends, academic-year funding, housing and research expenses.
“This fellowship allows our students to pursue ambitious inquiries and develop essential research skills. It also provides critical support for continuing their work through the academic year and sharing their findings at conferences,” said Lauren Kapcha, assistant dean for communications and student programs.
This year’s fellows represent a variety of disciplines, reflecting Rice’s Momentous strategic plan commitment to advancing undergraduate education and nurturing the next generation of research leaders.
Dean Thomas Killian of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences underscored the students’ remarkable drive. “We are proud of our students’ exceptional ambition and intellectual curiosity,” he said. “Their projects highlight the breadth of natural sciences at Rice, and we look forward to seeing the impact of their research.”
Moody fellows (all seniors unless otherwise noted):
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Sophia Lyu, who will collaborate with Anatoly Kolomeisky, professor of chemistry, to model human ovarian aging and predict menopause timing using mathematical models and experimental data.
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Kelly Yang will work with Mustafa Amin, associate professor of physics and astronomy, to study warm wave dark matter in the early universe, aiming to enhance understanding of its role in cosmic evolution.
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Elena Alvarado will investigate peroxisome biogenesis with Bonnie Bartel, the Ralph and Dorothy Looney Professor of BioSciences, using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to explore the role of the PEX3 protein in organelle formation.
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Theodore Astor will address the Heilbronn triangle problem with Nets Katz, the W.L. Moody Professor of Mathematics, by refining upper bounds in geometric combinatorics.
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Nyla Hartigan will examine historical drought and precipitation patterns in the Middle East with Sylvia Dee, assistant professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences, to gain insights into regional water resource challenges.
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Junior Gabriela Varga will collaborate with kinesiology lecturer Nadia Agha in working with the ReNew Wellness program and a prehabilitation initiative for cancer patients at Houston Methodist Hospital, aiming to improve patient outcomes through fitness assessments and exercise interventions.
The Moody Pathway to Research in the Natural Sciences and its fellows are part of the Moody Experience at Rice, which arises out of a $100 million gift from the Moody Foundation and supports university-wide efforts to offer students an extensive array of enhanced educational opportunities beyond the classroom.