Seven students from the UC Irvine School of Physical Sciences have received the prestigious 2026 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) award.
Brooke Antonia Dorsey, one of the recipients, is a PhD student in chemical, applied and materials physics-chemistry. She conducts research in the group of Rex Handford, professor of Chemistry. Her research focuses on designing polynuclear, homotetrametal clusters that emulate key aspects of metal-surface reactivity and interaction. These well-defined molecular systems allow Dorsey to systematically investigate electron exchange, transfer pathways and structural factors that govern complex surface-mediated chemical processes.
The fellowship is a five-year program that provides full financial support for three years and recognizes outstanding students pursuing research in STEM graduate programs.
“We are very excited about the strong showing that Physical Sciences students had in this year’s GRFP competition, from both our undergraduate and graduate students,” said Franklin Dollar, associate dean of graduate studies and professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. “These students are set to be truly next generation scientists, scientific leaders whose work and outreach benefits so many around our community and the world.”
The 2026 NSF GRFP awardees from top left: Ian Bachant, Claire Eva Benjamin, Vincent Caudillo, Brooke Antonia Dorsey, Michael Angelo Father, Valeria Maria Orozco Saldarriaga, Luke Xia.