TGS Announces Continuing-Ryan Fellowships 2008-2009
The Ryan Fellowship supports graduate students dedicated to the exploration of fundamental nanoscale (atomic or molecular level) science and to advancing this knowledge into practical applications of benefit to society. Founded in 2007, it is open to both incoming PhD students and continuing PhD students who have demonstrated scientific excellence. The Graduate School is pleased to announce the following continuing-student awardees of the prestigious Ryan Fellowship for 2008-2009: Matthew Banholzer (Chemistry), Xiao Ying Bao (Chemical and Biological Engineering), Lei Fang (Chemistry), Soyoung Kim (Chemical and Biological Engineering), and Wei Wu (Electrical and Computer Engineering). As Ryan Fellows, they will have the opportunity to engage in collaborative research with domestic and international partners and participate in a series of activities, such as colloquia, seminars, and research conferences. Please see the Ryan Fellows Web site for more information.

TGS Day Out a Success
The fourth TGS Day Out of 2008 took place at Navy Pier Winter WonderFest on Saturday, December 13. Sponsored by TGS and funded in part by Community Building Grants, TGS Day Out is dedicated entirely to graduate student parents and their families. The event was attended by 29 families - 112 adults and children. Graduate students and their children enjoyed hundreds of beautifully decorated trees and the joyful atmosphere of the Navy Pier Winter Festival. Families had access to all attractions, including an indoor ice-skating rink, Ferris wheel, inflatable slides, and the Reindeer Express Train Ride. Parents were able to network with each other over lunch. Please visit our TGS Day Out Web site for more information, students’ comments, and photos.

Mellon Endowment Established for Graduate Students
The Graduate School is proud to announce the Andrew W. Mellon Endowment for Graduate Students in the Humanities and History, a permanently endowed fund of $4.5 million, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.  This endowment will serve to increase and help support new Mellon Interdisciplinary Cluster Fellowships in our recently launched Interdisciplinary Cluster Initiative.  The Mellon Endowment will also facilitate several Mellon Research Grants, available to graduate students in the humanities and history, for research related travel, materials that are not available locally, artistic supplies beyond what is normal or customary in the field, or construction, rental, or purchase of special equipment not available on campus. Read more about the Mellon endowment at the Northwestern University NewsCenter.

Call for 2008/09 Ver Steeg Faculty and Staff Award Nominations
Has your advisor gone above and beyond the call of duty, not only academically but in making you feel a welcome member of the Northwestern community? Has your graduate program assistant or other staff member ever saved you from academic disaster? Do you wish there was a way to recognize someone’s dedication to graduate students? We want you to choose your department’s Ver Steeg Faculty and Staff Award nominees. The Award offers graduate students in TGS an opportunity to recognize outstanding Northwestern faculty and staff for their contributions to graduate education and service in support of graduate students. TGS is now accepting nominations from graduate students for the 2008/09 Clarence L. Ver Steeg Graduate Faculty and Staff Awards. Each year, the graduate students in each TGS academic program may nominate one faculty member and one staff member per department or program. Nominations are due by 12:00 noon on Friday, February 13, 2009.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Raissa Ferron

Raissa P. Ferron, a PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, investigates the rheology, structural build-up, and formwork pressure evolution of highly flowable cementitious materials. This topic addresses a major concern in the ready-mix industry that is limiting the use of flowable concrete. Raissa uses advanced experimental techniques and methodologies (rheological, scanning electron microscopy, and focus beam reflectance measurement) to monitor in-situ flocculation and de-flocculation mechanisms. The research incorporates concepts of chemical engineering, fluid dynamics, and materials science, and it is funded by NSF and industrial research consortia. Raissa is affiliated with the Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials (ACBM) and her advisor is Professor Surendra P. Shah.  Raissa will defend her dissertation in December 2007, and is interested in pursuing a career in academia. For additional information, please visit the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.