UO Chemistry graduate student Audrey Klein has been selected to receive a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.  Audrey is a 2nd year doctoral student in the Rapp Lab.

Audrey’s Research: The Rapp lab is interested in Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes for their unique ability to undergo rapid ligand cleavage using visible light, rather than UV light which is commonly used in photocleavage of organic compounds. Audrey’s project uses a light sensitive metal complex to create photodegradable hydrogels which will be used to 3D print scaffolds for tissue culture. This novel printing method combines volumetric printing with subtractive manufacturing to achieve higher printing resolution for channels.

About the Award: The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education.