Student Research Awards

Award Programs

At UMass Amherst, opportunities abound for students to make meaningful contributions to research, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, across all academic disciplines. Each year, we celebrate some of the university's most dedicated and accomplished student researchers through two award programs: Rising Researchers for undergraduates, and Groundbreaking Graduate Students for master’s or doctoral students.

These award programs shine a light on those students whose outstanding research, scholarship, and creative activity are making a real-world impact. Typically, these students have been recognized with external grants, honors, and awards; have published their work in peer-reviewed journals or books; have presented or performed in prominent venues; or are taking a leadership role in community outreach efforts related to their research.

Nomination, Eligibility, and Recognition Information

For Rising Researchers

For Groundbreaking Graduate Students

Rising Researchers

The Rising Researcher program recognizes undergraduate students who excel in research, challenge their intellect, and exercise exceptional creativity. Students from a wide variety of majors have received the Rising Researcher award.

Faculty members are encouraged to nominate eligible students whom they advise/mentor. Calls for nominations will be issued twice a year at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters. The nomination period for the UMass Amherst Rising Researcher student award program is now closed.

Read about past Rising Researcher recipients.

Spring 2026

The Spring 2026 Rising Researchers are breaking new ground in areas such as medicine, technology, sustainability, and the environment. These undergraduates have seen how their coursework becomes more meaningful when paired with relevant research questions, and how motivating it can be to discover new insights, which in turn lead to more questions. They are working to make AI more reliable and ethical, uncovering the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, shedding light on the transport of microplastics in the ocean, and using art to advocate for more ethical and sustainable practices in the floral industry. They have discovered a love for research, which some plan to pursue in graduate school and beyond. Read on to learn about their projects and all they’ve gained through research.

Uncovering the Molecular Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Anna Vincze '26 studies how neurodegenerative diseases progress in the brain, in service of informing the discovery of potential therapeutic targets.

Designing Better Crops for Food and Bioenergy

Kylie Campana’s ['26] research aims to shed light on the genetics involved in the development of grasses, making them better suited to a variety of environments.

Jason Alexander sitting in a chair in Manning CICS building.

Building More Reliable and Ethical AI Systems

Jason Huang Alexander ’27 is working to make artificial intelligence and large-scale algorithms work better for people in the real world.

Logan Penney standing in his studio with art

Cultivating Sustainability in the Floral Industry

Logan Penney ’26 blends art and activism to raise awareness and push for changes to address environmental and ethical issues surrounding industrial flower production.

Addressing Complex Health Challenges Using Engineering and Data Science

Eden Vachtel '26 studies the social, economic, and health-related factors influencing nutritional insecurity.

Inventing New Ways to Study the Motion of Microplastics in Water

Milo Van Mooy’s ['26] physics research aims to improve understanding of how fluids transport particles in the environment.

Connecting the Dots Between Movement, Sleep, and Brain Development

Marie Fandy ’26 studies links between physical activity and cognitive outcomes in preschool-aged children.

Fall 2025

The Fall 2025 Rising Researchers have seen first-hand how conducting original research can add profound depth to their educational journeys. As they apply concepts and techniques learned in class to their research practice, they’ve encountered surprising insights, made leaps in understanding, and gained new confidence in themselves. Not only have they contributed to scholarly publications and major conference presentations, but their work is making meaningful advances in quantum computing, communication, and sensing applications; developing new drug delivery platforms to treat neurological diseases; improving crop resilience and yield in the face of extreme weather conditions; and more. These undergraduates are helping to change the world—imagine what they’ll do in the future.

Vy Do in UMas Amherst biomedical engineering lab

Biomedical Engineering Research to Advance Drug Delivery

Vy Do ’26 conducts research to develop nanocarriers for therapeutic genetic materials to treat traumatic brain injuries and other neurological conditions.

Eddie Li in research lab at UMass Amherst.

Plant Research to Improve Crop Resilience

Eddie Li ’26 studies the grass Brachypodium distachyon as a model for cereal crops such as wheat to seek solutions to improve crop yield, especially in regions with extreme weather conditions.

Robert Kwolek in research lab at UMass Amherst

Research to Advance Photonic Quantum Information Processors and Sensors

Robert Kwolek ’26 researches the design and validation of integrated quantum photonic circuits.

Margaret Lepeshkin standing in front of her art installation on the facade of the UMass Amherst Studio Arts building.

Research to Design a More Eco-Conscious Built Environment

Margaret Lepeshkin ’26 uses art to understand the world around her and seek creative solutions to positively transform the impact of our built environment on the natural world.

Nicholle Tan in food science lab at UMass Amherst

Food Science Research to Advance Sustainable Proteins

Nicholle Tan ’26 conducts research to design meat alternatives that are more appealing and nutritious for consumers.

Ramin Gasimli in UMass Amherst physics lab

Physics Research to Study the Movement of Objects Through Fluids

Ramin Gasimli’s [’26] research has implications for fields ranging from microfluids and biotech to underwater robotics and autonomous vehicles.

Heeya Ajwani sitting in front of a computer at UMass Amherst.

Research to Inform Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Treatments

Heeya Ajwani ’26 studies conditions such as depression and borderline personality disorder to contribute to the development of more equitable, inclusive, and effective treatments.

Groundbreaking Graduate Students

The Groundbreaking Graduate Student award celebrates the exceptional work of master’s or doctoral students at UMass Amherst. This is a new award launching in fall 2025.

The nomination period for the UMass Amherst Groundbreaking Graduate Student award program is now closed.

Learn about nominations, eligibility, and recognition.