The Graduate Student Research Awards are used to advance the scholarship of graduate students and faculty working in partnership. Grants up to $5,000 are awarded to the selected student/faculty pairs and are intended to help support student research, scholarship, and creative activity; give students experience writing grants; and foster the mentoring relationship between faculty and graduate students.
We have eight more outstanding research programs awarded for spring 2025 across many colleges and departments. We hope that you will read about the work these graduate students are engaged in here at UT.
Purchase of optical filter set for Nikon TiE microscope to
understand the correlated dynamics of ribosomes and DNA bacteria.
Chathuddasie Amarasinghe
PhD student, physics
Chathuddasie Amarasinghe’s research explores how bacterial chromosomes separate during cell division in Escherichia coli (E. coli), a widely used model organism. While theories from physics suggest that DNA naturally separates due to its intrinsic entropy (the natural tendency of molecules to spread out), another mechanism is needed to drive DNA separation during the late cell cycle, when sister chromosomes are no longer in contact with one another. Her research shows that the protein-making machines in the cell (ribosomes) help push DNA into separate daughter compartments. Using advanced imaging techniques, she tracks fluorescently labeled DNA and ribosomes in live cells. This work aims to uncover how DNA replication, protein synthesis, and other cellular activities interact to ensure proper DNA separation into daughter cells, which is crucial for bacterial growth. The findings could lead to new insights into antibiotic development, synthetic biology, and other biotechnological applications.
Leveraging buccal swabbing as a rumen microbiome proxy to drive improvements in beef production efficiency and sustainability
Garrett Ulmer
Master’s student, animal science
Garrett Ulmer’s research focuses on improving the efficiency and sustainability of beef cattle production by studying the relationship between the rumen microbiome (microorganisms in the stomach that help digest food) and key traits like feed efficiency, reproductive success, and methane emissions. Ulmer’s work explores how the buccal microbiome (microorganisms in the mouth) can act as a non-invasive proxy for the rumen microbiome, making it easier to collect data without invasive procedures. By analyzing DNA from buccal swabs and rumen fluid, Ulmer aims to identify microbial communities and host genetic factors that influence these traits. This research could lead to better genomic prediction models, helping farmers optimize cattle productivity while reducing environmental impacts.
Diabetes-induced hearing loss: Role of insulin signaling in cochlear hair cell dysfunction
Nicholas Gill
PhD student, nutritional sciences
Nicholas Gill’s research explores the connection between type 2 diabetes and hearing loss, a lesser-known but impactful complication of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb sugar for energy, leading to high blood sugar and inflammation. This inflammation disrupts insulin signaling, causing damage to various tissues, including the cochlear hair cells in the inner ear, which are essential for hearing. Gill’s research uses advanced lab techniques to mimic diabetes-like conditions in cochlear cells, testing how reduced insulin signaling affects their survival and function. He also investigates whether boosting insulin signaling or using anti-inflammatory treatments can protect these cells. This work aims to uncover the biological mechanisms behind diabetes-induced hearing loss, paving the way for new therapies to prevent or treat this condition, ultimately improving the quality of life for people with diabetes.
High-energy ball milling synthesis of zirconalite for nuclear waste ceramics
William Reed
PhD student, nuclear engineering
William Reed’s research focuses on improving nuclear waste management by studying zirconolite, a durable ceramic material that can safely store radioactive elements. Zirconolite is a key component of SYNROC, designed to immobilize nuclear waste. Reed utilizes a technique called High-Energy Ball Milling (HEBM), which involves grinding powders under extreme conditions that can trigger chemical reactions. This method enables him to synthesize zirconolite using calcium oxide, zirconium dioxide, and titanium dioxide, and study how its structure and properties evolve throughout the milling process. By analyzing the resulting material with X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy at UT’s Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Reed aims to understand how zirconolite forms during milling and how various milling parameters affect the process. His work could lead to more efficient and reliable methods for synthesizing nuclear waste storage material, contributing to safer long-term solutions for managing radioactive waste.
Sex- and age-related influence of vascular stiffening on neurological disorders
Allison Jones
PhD student, biomedical engineering
Allison Jones’ research focuses on understanding how age, sex, and vascular stiffening (the hardening of blood vessels) contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and cognitive functions. Her work uses mouse models to study how changes in blood flow dynamics and vessel stiffness impact brain chemistry, particularly in relation to AD. For example, she examines how arterial stiffening increases pressure in the brain’s tiny blood vessels, potentially causing damage that leads to cognitive decline. Jones also investigates sex differences, noting that post-menopausal women are at higher risk for both vascular stiffening and AD due to hormonal changes. By using advanced techniques like ultrasound imaging and mass spectrometry, her research aims to uncover the biological mechanisms linking vascular health to AD progression. Ultimately, her findings could help develop preventative treatments for millions of people suffering from this disease.
Active for two?
Mikayla Elise Greene
Master’s student, kinesiology
Mikayla Elise Greene’s research explores how pregnancy planning influences physical activity (PA) behaviors during pregnancy, a critical life stage often marked by barriers to exercise. Pregnancy planning refers to whether a pregnancy is intentional, unintentional, or ambivalent, and Greene investigates how these categories shape motivation and decision-making around PA. Her study uses both quantitative methods, like surveys to measure PA levels and pregnancy planning, and qualitative methods, such as focus groups to gather personal experiences. By analyzing these data, Greene aims to identify common challenges and enablers to PA across different planning groups. Her findings could help healthcare providers offer tailored exercise recommendations during prenatal care, improving maternal health and birth outcomes. This research is particularly timely given ongoing discussions about women’s health policies and their potential impact on prenatal care practices.
Virtual reality surgical simulator for concentric tube robots
Samuel Tobin
PhD student, mechanical engineering
This research focuses on developing a surgical simulator for concentric tube robots (CTRs), which are flexible robotic tools designed for minimally invasive surgeries. These robots allow surgeons to access narrow and hard-to-reach areas with precision, enhancing surgical outcomes while reducing invasiveness. The simulator will provide a virtual environment where surgeons can practice using CTRs safely and effectively, improving their skills without putting patients at risk. Additionally, it will generate realistic data to train artificial intelligence (AI) models for surgical tasks. This innovative simulator aims to transform surgical training and AI development in robotics by offering a realistic and efficient platform for skill-building and research.
Resistance exercise and physical activity in adults using GLP-1 RAs
Sara Yousefi
PhD student, kinesiology and sport studies
Sara Yousefi’s research focuses on understanding how new weight-loss medications, specifically GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), impact physical activity (PA) and muscle health in individuals with obesity. GLP-1 RAs, originally developed for diabetes treatment, have become popular for their ability to help people lose significant weight. However, these medications can lead to muscle loss, which is concerning because muscle is essential for overall health and metabolism. Yousefi investigates whether people using these medications are engaging in recommended levels of physical activity, particularly resistance exercise (RE), which helps maintain muscle mass. Her study combines surveys to measure exercise habits and attitudes with insights into barriers and motivations for staying active while on GLP-1 RAs. By identifying gaps in physical activity and understanding patient experiences, her work aims to develop strategies to support healthier lifestyles and improve long-term outcomes for individuals undergoing pharmaceutical obesity treatment.
Robotic milling of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic laminates
Chinmay Mungale
PhD student, mechanical engineering
This research focuses on improving how carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites are shaped and processed using industrial robots. CFRTPs are lightweight, durable materials widely used in industries like automotive, energy, and transportation due to their strength, recyclability, and ability to reduce emissions. While traditional machining methods are effective, they can be expensive and less flexible for handling complex designs. Industrial robots offer a cost-effective alternative but face challenges like vibrations and positional inaccuracies during machining. The study aims to optimize robotic milling processes by analyzing cutting forces, tool wear, and surface quality degradation. The findings could help manufacturers adopt industrial robots more broadly for processing CFRTPs, making production faster, cheaper, and more sustainable.