Wyant College Students Selected for NSF GRFP Program 2025
Two Wyant College students were selected for the 2025 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). This program, "ensure(s) the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. GRFP seeks to broaden participation in science and engineering of underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000." Ph.D. students Paola Luna, advised by Dr. Cristian Panda, and Lily McKenna, advised by Dr. Meredith Kupinski, were among those selected for this year's awards.
Paola Luna
Can you tell us more about your research and what your NSF proposal focused on?
My research focuses on developing next-generation quantum sensors, with applications in precision measurements of fundamental physical constants and the effects of gravity in quantum systems; as well as for inertial sensing with practical applications. My proposal focused on developing an optical lattice interferometer with strontium atoms to measure a precise value for one of the most historically elusive fundamental constants: the gravitational constant, “big G”.
What are your next steps, either with this project or in your academic journey?
I am looking forward to implementing an optical lattice interferometer with quantum superposition states exhibiting ultra-long coherence times beyond the minute-scale. Throughout my career, I would love to continue fostering the success of students and peers by being in an academic/research mentorship position. For my research, I would love to continue a career path in precision measurements that unravel new physics.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge or thank for their support along the way?
I’d like to give a special thank you to Clarissa M. DeLeon and Justin Murante for their incessant support, particularly when I doubted myself and when I wanted to give up on this application. As well as to my advisor Cristian Panda, for his guidance and feedback along the process. I would like to thank Dr. Celeste Atkins, my fellow students and professors at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences for their support provided along the way.
On her achievement, Dr. Cristian Panda shared:
“It is deeply rewarding to witness Paola being awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. It affirms not only her potential and commitment to advancing knowledge through research and education, but also the day-to-day work that goes into nurturing curiosity and shaping up a scientific skillset based on resilience and intellectual rigor. Moments like this are powerful reminders of the privilege of being a mentor and playing even a small role in launching a future scientist toward a path of discovery and service.”
Lily McKenna
Can you tell us more about your research and what your NSF proposal focused on?
I study how polarization can be applied to computer vision tasks. My NSF proposal was on using polarization information to retrieve the shape of an object. Specifically, I focused on how Mueller polarimetry could be used to resolve the ambiguity in shape from linear polarization.
What are your next steps, either with this project or in your academic journey?
This fellowship allows me to explore different areas of polarization imaging, so I am looking forward to exploring where polarization can further aid in various computer vision tasks.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge or thank for their support along the way?
Lily's advisor, Dr. Meredith Kupinski, expressed her pride:
NSF GRFP recipients warmly encourage all eligible students to apply and are happy to offer guidance, share insights, and support applicants throughout the process.
Paola Luna, paolaluna@arizona.edu
Lily McKenna, lilymckenna@arizona.edu