UMR will receive more than $370,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to fund three Ph.D. fellowships to conduct research in energy technology linked with public policy making.

The Ph.D. Fellowship Program in Interdisciplinary Graduate Education in Energy Research Linked to Sound Public Policy Making is funded through the Department of Education’s Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program (GAANN) and UMR through matching funds. The fellowship is designed to encourage some of the best students from the United States to pursue Ph.D.s, and it offers them a multi-faceted approach that provides hands-on research, community outreach and management experience.

"Energy technology development is a critical area of national need, especially if you consider issues related to high petroleum prices, global warming and other environmental impacts, development of alternative sources of energy, and the hydrogen economy," says Dr. R. Larry Grayson, Union Pacific and Rocky Mountain Energy Professor and chair of mining engineering and GAANN project director at UMR. "Abundant supply of energy and reliable electric power is critical to U.S. economic strength, and maintaining technical superiority in energy-related disciplines is necessary to retain our leadership position. The GAANN fellowship program will expand strong energy technology research at UMR and allow its integration in making sound public policy concerning energy issues."

Each student can receive up to $41,511 a year for up to three years based on financial need. The fellowship includes payment of tuition and an extension of support for two more years. When the GAANN fellowship is finished, UMR is still committed to supporting the students until completion of their degrees. The program, which received $124,533 in support this year, provides financial assistance to the fellows to allow them to pursue their Ph.D. and covers educational expenses including the cost of textbooks and other materials, computer hardware and software, travel to professional meetings and seminars, membership in professional organizations, involvement in research and training, and involvement with professional research grant-writing.

Through the program, UMR is looking for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have an undergraduate grade-point average of 3.5 or better, demonstrated financial need and a commitment to teaching and research careers. The GAANN fellowship recipients will study in ceramic, electrical, mechanical, mining, or petroleum engineering, or in engineering management or geology. They will conduct research in association with the UMR Energy Research and Development Center.

The center facilitates collaborative research among faculty from numerous departments across campus. Co-investigators in the program include Dr. Badrul Chowdhury, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Fatih Dogan, professor of ceramic engineering; Dr. Benjamin Dow, lecturer in engineering management; Dr. Shari Dunn-Norman, associate professor of geological and petroleum engineering; Dr. David Enke, assistant professor of engineering management; and Dr. John Sheffield, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. Administrative co-directors include Grayson; Dr. Mariesa Crow, transitional dean of the School of Mines and Metallurgy; and Dr. Robert Laudon, associate dean of the School of Mines and Metallurgy.