Eight graduate students earn prominent NSF fellowship honors

‘Everything has a scientific basis, which means there are endless opportunities to ask questions and make discoveries.’

Published on: November 03, 2025 By: Sharon Reynolds

Since 1952, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) has helped launch the careers of outstanding graduate students who demonstrate potential for significant research achievements. This year, one UT Southwestern graduate student earned a three-year GRFP fellowship award, while seven received honorable mentions – a notable national academic recognition.

The NSF GRFP supports the quality, vitality, and diversity of the U.S. scientific and engineering workforce. As the nation’s oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP is a highly competitive funding mechanism that provides three years of financial support over a five-year fellowship, including a $37,000 annual stipend and a $16,000 cost-of-education annual allowance to the institution. GRFP fellows join a community of scholars whose contributions have shaped science and engineering in transformative ways. Many students have become leaders in their fields, including members of the National Academy of Sciences and even some Nobel Laureates.

“This was a very competitive year for the NSF GRFP, with fewer fellowships awarded than last year,” said Andrew Zinn, M.D., Ph.D., Dean of the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “Many applicants who received honorable mentions this year likely would have received awards in prior years.”

Learn more about these aspiring leaders in science and their research that has the potential to transform the future of science and medicine.

NSF GRFP Award

Ashley Merriweather

First-year graduate student this fall
Organic Chemistry Graduate Program
Lab to be determined

Project summary: In my current rotation, I am working on the synthesis of a proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC). These heterobifunctional molecules can selectively target and destroy specific proteins. Unlike traditional drugs – which usually just block a protein’s activity – PROTACs use the cell’s natural disposal system to remove the protein entirely.

What this award means: It tells me that the reviewers see my potential and believe in my ability to succeed as a scientist. It’s an honor to be recognized at this level, and it motivates me to continue working hard and striving to make a meaningful impact in my field. Beyond the recognition, I feel grateful for the support and guidance I’ve received along the way.

What about science excites you: For one, science is a lot of fun! But what also excites me is how it helps us understand the world around us. Everything has a scientific basis, which means there are endless opportunities to ask questions and make discoveries. I love that curiosity can lead to new ideas and possibilities every day.

Why you chose UTSW: During my interviews and visit to UT Southwestern, it was clear that the Graduate School truly invests in student growth. It was important to me to choose a place that recognizes learning, mentorship, and training are just as important as research productivity. UTSW stood out to me as an institution that values its students not only as researchers, but also as people who are here to grow, be supported, and enjoy the five to six years they spend here.

On inspiring future generations: Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who looked like me in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career, so I hope my journey can serve as an example for younger generations. Along the way, I’ve had outstanding mentors who believed in me when I doubted myself and encouraged me. Their support shaped both my confidence and my skills, and I wouldn’t be here without them. Because of them, I’m deeply committed to paying it forward by mentoring and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

NSF GRFP Honorable Mentions

Rachel Adams

Project summary: Gene therapies can treat genetic disorders by replacing defective mutant genes with working copies, but their lack of gene regulation can result in safety issues, particularly when they mis-express developmental genes in the brain. I study how naturally occurring gene regulation could be harnessed for self-regulated gene therapies that express genes at physiological levels.

How you became interested in research: As a teenager I developed a debilitating immune disorder, and doctors couldn’t help me. I noticed I was experiencing the result of gaps in biomedical knowledge and was excited that I could apply my enjoyment of STEM fields to address it. This led me to pivot my career toward research. I received precision medicine treatment, and since then I have worked to develop precision medicine and understand rare diseases.

On giving back to the community: I strive to create visible opportunities that promote access in science. I’m a co-President of our LGBTQIA+ graduate student organization, Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), through which I share our research and career opportunities across a large network of undergraduate and graduate institutions. I’m also the lead of strategy and operations at Nucleate Dallas, a nonprofit that provides innovative trainees the means to create spinoff companies for their ideas.

On effecting positive change: My personal commitment is to support rare disease communities through my work. I’ve received transformative peer support through such groups, and I see the opportunity and need for scientists to get more involved. There are hundreds of millions of individuals with rare diseases. Many of these people and their caregivers work tirelessly to improve research, visibility, and community for those affected. We can engage with these community leaders to address inadequacies in our scientific understanding that they are bringing to our attention.

Jessica Alvarez

Project summary: My research seeks to answer the question of how different metabolisms can affect people’s abilities to fight viral infections. My findings help explain why people with metabolic diseases are often more susceptible to infections and experience stronger inflammatory responses.

What this award means: Receiving an honorable mention means a lot to me. As a first-generation student, I’ve often struggled with imposter syndrome, which can take a heavy toll. It is so meaningful to have my work recognized in this way. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who recognized my potential throughout all aspects of my science career and encouraged me to apply for the award.

What sparked your interest in research: I was inspired by my older sister who was the first in my family to pursue a research career at a large institution. I admired the idea that scientists are the first to discover and create new knowledge before sharing it with the world. During my undergraduate experience, one moment really confirmed this interest: My mentor was looking at her results after an experiment she was unsure of, sighed with relief when she realized it worked, and said, “This is why I do what I do.” That moment showed me the excitement and meaning behind research and solidified my career path.

On outreach to underrepresented groups: As a Mexican American student, I’m very aware of the needs of underrepresented communities and do my part to support them. Through volunteer work with the San Antonio nonprofit Students of Service, and connections with mentors from my undergraduate university, I’ve helped students apply to graduate school and discussed career opportunities in science. At UTSW, I volunteer at health fairs and help inspire kids through local science fairs. I plan to carry this commitment forward throughout my graduate career and beyond.

Cristina Guerena

Project summary: I investigate a protein complex known as mTORC1 and its response to nutrient fluctuations in pancreatic cancer. When mTORC1 is hyperactive, this leads to several diseases or conditions, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegeneration. My project focuses on a lysosomal transporter and how it regulates mTORC1 activity.

What this award means: As the first graduate fellowship I applied to, receiving an honorable mention was a meaningful milestone. I believe this recognition will help set the tone for my future endeavors and career. Being acknowledged strengthens my motivation to do impactful science, especially targeting underrepresented groups.

What excites you about science: I’m driven by the challenge of uncovering the unknown. Each day brings unexpected questions, and I find the process of troubleshooting and problem-solving genuinely exciting. It keeps me engaged and motivated to keep learning.

Why you chose UTSW: I selected UT Southwestern because of its strong culture of collaboration. From my earliest interactions, I was struck by the friendliness and openness of the people I met. It was clear that UTSW fosters a supportive environment – one where I knew I would thrive both personally and professionally.

On outreach to underrepresented groups: I’m an active member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) chapter at UTSW, where I’ve had the opportunity to participate in outreach events such as the annual STEM Expo. At this event, I engaged with young students through hands-on science activities designed to spark curiosity and interest in STEM fields.

Wil O’Shaughnessy

Project summary: I’m studying how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii breaks down the mother cell’s cytoskeleton while leaving the developing daughter structures intact. Both structures are made of the same proteins and share the same space inside the cell, so the parasite must have a precise way to tell them apart. A protein called CSAR1, which helps tag the mother’s cytoskeleton for degradation, seems to be involved. I want to understand how CSAR1 is controlled, which proteins it targets, and how the daughter structures are protected from being broken down.

Describe your journey into science: I’ve always been curious about how the world works. When I started college, I studied biology and wanted to become a physician. Due to financial, personal, and family reasons, I put my degree on hiatus and began working as a medical laboratory technician. I didn’t see a future working in diagnostics, and after a few years I returned to school. Eventually I was hired as a Lab Manager at UTSW and completed my degree in biology while working in Dr. Reese’s lab.

On outreach to underrepresented groups: I have taught and tutored students from diverse backgrounds who aspired to careers in health care and science. Many of them were nontraditional just like me, returning to school after a hiatus, were parents, took classes while working full time, or couldn’t afford to attend a traditional university. These students are most in need of outreach and career development. Throughout my career I have not only seized opportunities but also recognized their rarity and importance, and as a professor one day, I plan to help nontraditional students identify and pursue career opportunities. I intend to serve as an adjunct instructor at community colleges to offer mentorship, career guidance, and possibly lab technician positions to these students.

Julia Powell

Project summary: I study how chromatin folding regulates gene expression. Chromatin folding is how DNA wraps and coils around proteins to fit neatly inside a tiny cell.

A highlight of this award: It was fun writing my first grant!

What excites you about science: What excites me most about science is the thrill of discovery. Science is like running a race, my favorite pastime. There is the end in sight, i.e., the big question motivating your research, but along the way there are smaller hills and hurdles that must first be surmounted. I enjoy solving the smaller problems while knowing that one day, perhaps, I’ll be able to solve the bigger questions too.

Describe your journey into science: I didn’t become interested in science until my second semester of my sophomore year of college, when my chemistry professor poured a container of liquid nitrogen down the hallway floor. His love of science and the awe it evoked was contagious. That is when I became a biochemistry major and never looked back.

Your commitment to giving back to the community: If not for my college professors, I might never have chosen a career in science. Their encouragement and example inspired in me a sense of wonder and possibility that shaped my path. I want to share that same experience with others to help them feel empowered to explore STEM fields and discover their own potential. I have pursued this goal through a variety of teaching and outreach opportunities, where I strive to spark curiosity and open doors for future scientists.

Sean Siniscalco

Project summary: My research focuses on the arms race between Staphylococcus aureus and the tiny viruses that attack bacteria – called phages – that infect it. Using a phage engineering approach, my research aims to uncover different ways that these phages overcome bacterial defenses. We also seek to use this engineering strategy to identify genes that can help expand phage host range and improve the phage’s ability to treat bacterial infections.

What this award means: Receiving an honorable mention is a significant achievement that shows how much I have grown as a scientist. It also serves as a nice boost in my confidence in not only the science that I am doing at the bench, but also my ability to write about, truly understand, and communicate the work that I am doing.

What excites you about science: It is exciting to me that science is the exploration of the unknown. The goal of our studies largely comes down to asking something that has never been asked before and then going and finding the solution. I believe that, although painful at times, the path toward discovery is one of the most rewarding.

Why you chose UTSW: I chose UTSW based on recommendations from and connections to some of my previous mentors. They had many good things to say about the school, particularly in relation to the strong science that takes place here. When I visited, I was quite impressed by the students and the level of experience that they seemed to have gained studying here.

On inspiring future generations: I am an advocate for science communication who deeply enjoys teaching and outreach. I hope to continue engaging in community outreach activities to spread the joy that I feel for science with others. I hope to inspire younger students to consider doing research one day.

Eric Sun

Project summary: I study how experiences shape the developing brain through an epigenetic process called DNA methylation, which is a way the body “marks” certain genes to control how they’re used. My work shows that the key enzyme DNMT3A, which carries out this process, appears to be regulated by neuronal activity. This provides a direct molecular link suggesting that our environment can influence gene expression to ultimately sculpt the brain’s architecture and function.

What this award means: This award recognizes the groundbreaking work being carried out collectively in our lab.

What excites you about science: What excites me most about science is the prospect of being the first to observe a natural phenomenon and unveiling something entirely novel.

Describe your journey into science: My formal introduction to science came through a fellowship I unexpectedly received to pursue my undergraduate studies. I became interested in research because I was drawn to the unique opportunity it provides for novel discovery.

Why you chose UT Southwestern: I chose UTSW because it is a nationally recognized leader in research and clinical care. Having grown up in Dallas – a city that I love – I’ve witnessed the impact that UT Southwestern has had on the community.

On effecting positive change: I am committed to effecting positive change by uncovering fundamental biological mechanisms that not only advance our understanding of life at its most basic level but also serve as the foundation for future translational breakthroughs.

Endowed Titles

Dr. Zinn holds the Rolf Haberecht and Ute Schwarz Haberecht Deanship of the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the Henry Ross Perot Distinguished Professorship in Biomedical Science.