Two students earn honors from the National Science Foundation
Friday, April 17, 2015
MANHATTAN — Two Kansas State University students have received awards and recognition from the National Science Foundation.
Matthew Galliart, master's student in biology, Hutchinson, received a 2015 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Ryan Greenway, master's student in biology, Amarillo, Texas, received an honorable mention from the foundation.
The Graduate Research Fellowship award recognizes outstanding students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"It is with great pleasure to see that Matthew's and Ryan's outstanding research efforts have been recognized in such a national and prestigious spotlight," said Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz. "K-State students involved in research will continue to shine as K-State moves closer to our goal of being recognized as a Top 50 public research university by 2025."
Galliart will receive more than $102,000 across three years, which includes a yearly $34,000 stipend and $12,000 in lieu of tuition and fees.
"NSF Graduate Research Fellowships seek to invest in future leaders and innovators in their fields," said Jim Hohenbary, Kansas State University's assistant dean for nationally competitive scholarships. "The fact that Matt and Ryan were recognized in the competition really affirms the quality of work they have been doing, first as undergraduates and now as graduate students."
Galliart is conducting research on long-term field selection of big bluestem ecotypes in reciprocal gardens planted across the Great Plains precipitation gradient.
"Receiving the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is a great honor and will help provide incredible resources and professional development through my graduate studies at K-State," Galliart said.
Galliart also recently received K-State's Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research. His additional honors include the American Society of Plant Biologists Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, K-State Ecological Genomics Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences Program and URM Travel Award to Botanical Society of America. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2011, and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in biology from Kansas State University in 2014. Galliart is the son of Shawn and Sheri Galliart, Hutchinson.
"Matt has an incredible work ethic, as well as a level of intellect and creativity rarely observed in undergraduate students, or even graduate students," said Loretta Johnson, Galliart's adviser and associate professor of biology.
Greenway's research focuses on mechanisms of speciation in fish inhabiting toxic sulfide springs throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
Greenway graduated from Amarillo High School, Amarillo, Texas, in 2011, and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in zoology in 2014. He is the son of Scott and Kristi Greenway, Amarillo.
"It's great to hear that the National Science Foundation thinks my research is interesting and headed in the right direction," Greenway said. "I will continue working on my projects and apply for the Graduate Research Fellowship Program again this fall."
K-State undergraduates and first-year graduate students interested in applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship can visit Hohenbary in 215 Fairchild Hall or contact him at 785-532-3422 or jimlth@k-state.edu.
