Will Crockett, a graduate of The University of New Mexico, has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundations (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). 

The NSF GRFP is a highly competitive program that provides funding to outstanding students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The award supports research in the student’s chosen field and provides opportunities for professional development. 

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Crockett graduated from The University of New Mexico with a double major in Physics and Biology with a minor in Math in December of 2022. His research interests lie in the area of biophysics, systems ecology, and earth systems science. Specifically, he is interested in using physical models to understand biological response to environmental change. He was awarded the NSF GRFP under the subfield “Environmental Biology” for his proposal of a model of microbial cross feeding in a marine microbe ecosystem. He is interested in exploring how cooperation and symbiosis has shaped evolution, and what roles it will play as organisms respond to climate change. 

Crockett expressed his gratitude for this award, saying that it will allow him to continue his research and education. “Receiving the NSF GRFP was a confirmation that I not only have the capability to carry out research, but that I also have the ability to come up with new questions and ideas with scientific value. Having my own source of funding through the NSF will give me more flexibility in graduate school to pursue the work that I find most interesting and important.” 

Crockett will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Microbiology at MIT this coming fall. In this program, Crockett will be rotating with four labs across MIT. He is looking forward to living in Boston and exploring the wide range of cutting-edge research. 

Crockett expressed his appreciation for the UNM faculty and staff members. “I would not be where I am without the mentorship of UNM's faculty members. There is an incredible range of research happening at UNM…I am grateful to Professors Melanie Moses, Mousumi Roy, Marcy Litvak, and Helen Wearing, who each gave me the opportunity to explore new areas of research and graciously shared their time and guidance.” 

The NSF GRFP award is a significant achievement for any student, and Crockett’s success is a testament to his talent and dedication. His research has the potential to make significant contributions to the field of physics and biology, and we look forward to seeing the results of his work in the years to come.