CSC News
PhD Student Sean Mealin Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
The NC State Computer Science Department is pleased to announce that PhD student Sean Mealin has been chosen to receive a prestigious and highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. Mealin, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from NC State in 2013, is now working toward his PhD in computer science at NC State. His research is focused on using computers to enhance communication between humans and dogs, with a focus on working dogs such as Guide Dogs for the Blind. This field of study is of particular interest to Mealin, who is blind.
“I am extremely honored to receive this NSF Fellowship, “ said Mealin, pictured at right with his guide dog, Simba. “It gives me great hope for the success of our research, and I’m excited that I can draw from my own experiences with Simba to further our research. I am especially grateful to my advisor, Dr. David Roberts, for encouraging and supporting me with this project.”
The Graduate Research Fellowship was first awarded in 1952, with the goal of encouraging basic scientific research and ensuring comprehensive, competitive programs for U.S. students. Since 1952, NSF has funded over 46,500 Graduate Research Fellowships out of over 500,000 applicants.
As the oldest graduate fellowship if its kind, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. Among its alumni are over 30 Nobel Laureates, 440 members of the National Academy of Sciences, thousands of science and engineering faculty, and many notable individuals in industry, government, and the non-profit sector.
Fellows benefit from three years of funding (approximately $144,000) for research-focused degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Two thousand fellowships are awarded each year. Additional information on the program can be found here and here.
For information on NC State’s other recipients, please see the related story here.
Congratulations to our very deserving student on receiving this wonderful honor!
~coates~
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