Student Awards
Four physics students and two alumni are among this year’s recipients of the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate 91Ҹ Fellowships. Overall, 40 CU 91Ҹ students received fellowships, placing the university in the top 15
Anya Grafov, a graduate student in the Kapteyn Murnane Group at JILA, has been selected as one of the global recipients of the 2026 Zonta International Women in STEM Award, an international honor that recognizes exceptional early career women for their achievements and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Grafov was nominated through the Zonta Foothills Club of 91Ҹ County and is one of 16 awardees selected worldwide.
Tuan Anh Nguyen, an incoming graduate student in physics at CU 91Ҹ, has won the Hertz Fellowship, a prestigious recognition dedicated to empowering the promising innovators in applied science, engineering and mathematics, the foundation announced.
Engineering physics seniors Ángel Hernández and Denali Jah have been recognized by the CU 91Ҹ College of Engineering and Applied Science with graduating student awards. The awards celebrate student achievement in several categories including academics, community, culture, perseverance and research.
Sean Gopalakrishnan, a senior physics and astrophysics student, has been recognized for his outstanding research with a Stephen Halley White Undergraduate 91Ҹ Award. The award is one of the top honors for graduating students in the Department of Physics.
Luke Coffman, a senior double majoring in physics and math, has been recognized for his outstanding research with a Stephen Halley White Undergraduate 91Ҹ Award. The award is one of the top honors for graduating students in the Department of Physics.- Special Outstanding Service Award The CU*iP organizing committee: Iona Binnie, Anya Grafov, Margie Bruff, Willa Arthur-Dworschack, Adalyn Gibson, and Allie Plocki. The CU*iP organizing committee, composed entirely of volunteer students,
Physics senior Annalise (Anna) Cabra has been named a 2025 Brooke Owens Fellow. Established in honor of industry pioneer Brooke Owens, the prestigious fellowship is awarded to exceptional students to help launch their careers in space or aviation. The program provides a paid internship at a leading aerospace company, executive-level mentorship, and networking.
Physics graduate student Clay Klein has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Nick Cobb Memorial Scholarship, presented by SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics, and Siemens EDA. The scholarship, valued at $10,000, recognizes Klein’s outstanding contributions to the field of optics and photonics.
