2025-26 Chancellor’s National Academy STEM Ph.D. Fellows
Matthew Barrows
Matthew Barrows began his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University in fall 2025. He aims to explore thermal-hydraulics, reactor safety and the development of advanced nuclear systems. He recently earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. His past internships at Framatome and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory gave him hands-on experience in both industry and national lab settings, along with deepening his commitment to clean energy innovation. As Barrows starts this next chapter, he hopes to contribute impactful research that supports the next generation of nuclear technology and helps move the global energy landscape forward.
Molly Bickle
Molly Bickle plans to work on organic polymer chemistry, with a focus on polymer degradation and novel polymeric materials. As an undergraduate researcher, she worked with assistant professor Fuwu Zhang on block polymers for drug delivery at the University of Miami. Bickle looks forward to utilizing Texas A&M’s resources and professors to learn more about polymer chemistry, polymer engineering and material science. She is excited to learn more about Texas and join Texas A&M’s vibrant on-campus community.
Owen Cornmesser
Owen Cornmesser joins Texas A&M from the Colorado School of Mines, where he completed his master’s and bachelor’s degrees and competed on the school’s NCAA Division II men’s golf team. He will join the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the fall and work with assistant professor Adam Birchfield and professor Thomas Overbye, who is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Cornmesser will focus on the power systems area within this department, conducting research on the integration of inverter-based resources into the grid.
Justin Fiore
Justin Fiore comes from a mechanical engineering background at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he worked in a power electronics lab building superconducting electric machines for aviation the last three years. During his summer internships, he developed a passion for the discipline of mechatronics and the problems within space operations. At Texas A&M, Fiore will be refocusing his efforts on quantum microprocessors, controllers and hardware design of robotic satellites in Earth orbit and beyond.
Landry Graves
Landry Graves is a native of Tyler, Texas, who graduated from Texas A&M with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2025. He participated in the Craig and Galen Brown Engineering Honors program, as well as in three research labs: SpaceCRAFT VR, Robotics and Automation Design, and Human-Empowering Robotics and Control. These experiences, along with his involvement in a robotics student organization, prompted him to seek graduate-level research in robotics. During his doctoral studies, he will pursue his interests in space robotics and human-centered robotic controls. Graves is currently working on assistive lower-limb exoskeletons and the control of tendon-driven robotic hands.
Joshua Greene
Joshua Greene’s curiosity about the world, especially through the lens of chemistry, began in high school during a memorable demonstration where he ignited methane bubbles his professor was holding. Greene pursued this passion at Montana State University, earning a degree in chemistry and conducting research on energy storage. Now, in his graduate studies at Texas A&M, he is eager to explore small molecule activation, contribute impactful research and refine his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas. With support from the Hagler Institute and guidance from experienced mentors, Greene aims to grow as both a researcher and a scholar.
Luke Holloway
Luke Holloway completed his undergraduate studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he studied synthesizing and isolating stable carbenes such as diamidocarbes. His current interests include the synthesis of bifunctional Lewis acids containing two carbenium centers for their use in catalysis or generating unique bonding motifs. Holloway’s goal at Texas A&M is to get his Ph.D. in Chemistry and become a more skilled chemist and teacher, while preparing himself for a career in academia.
Benjamin Jacobs
Benjamin Jacobs previously worked on space mission design of nanosatellites at the University at Buffalo Nanosatellite Laboratory and on a geostationary orbit-servicing system at the Crashworthiness for Aerospace Structures and Hybrids Laboratory. His academic goals are to advance his astrodynamics modeling and optimization skills. Under the guidance of Vice Chancellor for Engineering Robert Bishop and University Distinguished Professor Terry Alfriend (Engineering), Jacobs will apply these skills towards research in space infrastructure to increase the ease of access to and utility of space. This will contribute ultimately toward the goal of relieving Earth of some of the environmental burdens from manufacturing goods and providing energy for its populations.
Rahma Kamal
Rahma Kamal began her Ph.D. studies at Texas A&M with a strong dedication to advancing cancer research. With a background in pharmacology and molecular oncology, her academic focus lies in investigating the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms that drive metastasis and therapy resistance. She aims to develop precision-based therapies that address the unmet needs of patients with aggressive cancer. Through rigorous research and interdisciplinary collaboration, she strives to translate scientific discovery into clinical impact. At Texas A&M, she is committed to becoming a leader in oncology research and a catalyst for meaningful change.
Hannah Lamar
Hannah Lamar is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M University. She hopes to gain the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in lifestyle intervention healthcare and academia, with overall goals of increasing public availability to health education, empowering individuals to care for their health and helping equip the next generation of scientists in their pursuit of optimal well-being. Lamar is grateful to Texas A&M and the Chancellor’s Fellowship for making it possible to reach these academic goals.
Dave Boisie Laygo
Dave Boisie Laygo is a Ph.D. student in Texas A&M’s Department of Aerospace Engineering working in the Bioastronautics and Human Performance Lab. His research interests focus on investigating human physiological effects in altered gravity environments and developing countermeasure technology to promote long-term human space exploration. Simultaneously, he seeks to translate and apply these advancements to inform treatments and preventative strategies for terrestrial health conditions that share physiological parallels with spaceflight-induced changes. Laygo received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at the University of California San Diego, with prior work and research experience in space biotechnology, space sustainability and student liquid rocketry.
Luke Lovelace
Luke Lovelace graduated with honors in 2025 from Texas A&M University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Thanks to the Chancellor’s National Academy STEM Ph.D. Fellowship Program, Lovelace is pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, specializing in analog and mixed-signal design. His long-term goal is to gain industry experience before returning to Texas A&M as a professor, where he hopes to contribute to both research and the education of future engineers.
Elvis Perez
Elvis Perez is a first-generation Latino student from Lumberton, North Carolina. He attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with an American Chemical Society certification. His plan is to inspire the next generation of scientists by becoming a professor of inorganic chemistry. He also hopes to spread awareness of the opportunities in STEM for students in similar upbringings to his own.
Ethan Rogers
Ethan Rogers received his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University. His research experience coupled with his interest in orbital mechanics drove him to pursue a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, and he is honored to have the Chancellor’s Fellowship funding him. His research interests include cislunar space domain awareness and estimation, and he is looking forward to pursuing them as an Aggie.
Edward Yu
Edward Yu is a Ph.D. student in Texas A&M’s Department of Aerospace Engineering working in the Turbomachinery Laboratory. His research interests focus on investigating material behavior under extreme thermal and mechanical conditions, such as those encountered in hypersonic flight or high-strain rate detonations. He hopes to leverage this research into creating novel designs for more accessible and efficient high-performance vehicles. Yu received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at the University of California San Diego, with prior research experience in composite materials, structural health monitoring and student liquid rocketry.