Howard Yanxon (Physics and Astronomy) was one of 70 graduate students from across the nation selected for the Department of Energy's  Solicitation 2 cycle for Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program. 

Yanxon's advisor is professor Qiang Zhu. He will conduct his research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the area of Basic Energy Sciences — Predictive Materials Science and Chemistry.

The  program provides supplemental funds for graduate awardees to conduct part of their thesis research at a host Energy laboratory in collaboration with an Energy laboratory scientist within a defined award period. The award period for the proposed research project at Energy laboratories may range from three to 12 consecutive months.

“These graduate student awards prepare young scientists for STEM careers critically important to the DOE mission,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. “We are proud of the accomplishments these outstanding awardees have already made, and look forward to following their achievements in years to come. They represent the future leadership and innovation that will allow American science and engineering to excel in the 21st century.”

Graduate students currently pursuing doctoral degrees in areas of physics, chemistry, material sciences, biology (non-medical), mathematics, engineering, computer or computational sciences, or specific areas of environmental sciences that are aligned with the mission of the Office of Science are eligible to apply for the research awards provided by the program. The research projects are expected to advance the graduate awardees’ overall doctoral work while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at the Energy laboratories.

Awardees were selected from a diverse pool of university-based graduate applicants. Selection was based on merit peer review by outside scientific experts.

Go to the Department of Energy's website for a list of the 70 awardees and more information on the program.