Ten from Tulane SSE Earn NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Recognition

Ten students and alumni connected to the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering have been recognized through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, one of the nation’s most competitive honors for emerging researchers in science and engineering.

The program supports graduate students conducting advanced research in STEM fields and is widely regarded as a national benchmark for research potential. This year’s Tulane-affiliated recipients earned five Award Offers and five Honorable Mentions across disciplines including ecology, coastal science, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology.

The recognition reflects research taking place across environments that range from coastal Louisiana and coral reef ecosystems to biodiversity hotspots in Ecuador.

“Maia’s research combines field observation of bird behavior with AI-driven approaches to identify focal species from thousands of hours of audio recordings,” said Jordan Karubian, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. “In addition to advancing our understanding of the factors that shape biodiversity, her work will contribute directly to conservation efforts led by FCAT, a leading Ecuadorian NGO and long-time community partner of Tulane.”

For Edwards, the recognition also marks an important milestone early in her doctoral journey.

“Receiving the NSF GRFP has given me confidence that I’m asking the right questions,” she said. “The application process helped me refine my focus on what drives patterns of avian diversity across complex landscapes, and this support allows me to dedicate more time to understanding how bird communities respond to environmental change.”

Edwards said the support system she found at Tulane and through FCAT played a major role in shaping her development as a scientist.

The combination of field-based research and advanced computational approaches is reflected across several of the recognized projects.

“I use statistical modeling to improve global coral bleaching predictions, drawing on large-scale temperature datasets developed in the Reef Lab,” said Angela Grace Larson. “In a discipline where imposter syndrome is common, this recognition is a meaningful reminder that I’m moving in the right direction.”

“Angela is developing an ambitious project that brings together large-scale coral reef temperature data and machine learning to forecast coral stress in ways that are directly useful for management,” said Tom DeCarlo, professor of earth and environmental sciences. “Avi has designed a project with clear, applied value, generating insights that can support coastal restoration efforts along the Gulf Coast, particularly for oyster reefs.”

DeCarlo said both projects reflect how students are combining traditional fieldwork with advanced technologies, including drone-based laser scanning, machine learning, and high-performance computing.

“I study restored oyster reefs in coastal Louisiana using drone-based LiDAR to understand how their shape and size change over time, and how those changes affect their ability to reduce coastal erosion,” said Avi Strange. “Being recognized by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is both an honor and a meaningful validation of my potential as an early-career scientist.”

Isaiah Epstein-Bagneris studies the developmental, communal, and mental health benefits that engagement with hip hop culture can provide for Black youth.

“More broadly, I hope my work contributes to reshaping narrow and often negative perceptions of hip hop culture by highlighting its potential as a source of resilience, identity development, and community connection,” he said.

For Epstein-Bagneris, recognition from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program was both meaningful and validating.

“Because my research is culturally specific and focused on building foundational knowledge, I’ve sometimes questioned whether others would view it as significant,” he said. “This recognition affirms both the importance and necessity of continuing this work.”

Epstein-Bagneris credited mentorship from Tulane faculty, including Dr. Corey J. Miles and Dr. Michael Cunningham, with helping shape his academic path and approach to research.

Hridesh Rajan, Ph.D., dean of the Tulane School of Science and Engineering, said, “This kind of recognition reflects what is possible when students have access to strong mentorship, hands-on research opportunities, and the freedom to explore ambitious ideas. It is a clear outcome of the world-class research environment we continue to build at Tulane.”

Award Offered

• Maia Edwards — Life Sciences – Ecology  
• Isaiah Epstein-Bagneris — Psychology – Developmental Psychology  
• Ki Fraser Kuhn Finch — Chemistry – Macromolecular (including Polymer Chemistry), Supramolecular  
• Avi Strange — Geosciences – Coastal Studies  
• Alexander B. Walker — Life Sciences – Neurosciences  

Honorable Mention

• Callie Rose Chenevert — Life Sciences – Ecology  
• Emma Jacobs — Life Sciences – Ecology  
• Angela Larson — Geosciences – Biological Oceanography  
• Porter D. Reim — Life Sciences – Ecology  
• Clara Steeby — Psychology – Cognitive Neuroscience