Mercer Times

Three seniors from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) have been recognized by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, a highly competitive support source for students in STEM fields. Biomedical engineering major Allen Hong and sociology major Cameron James Keating have won fellowships, while chemistry major Joseph Bergen received an honorable mention.

Hong's research focuses on using computational models to study brain biomechanics in response to head impacts. He collaborated with Xuefeng Wei, associate professor of biomedical engineering at TCNJ, on improving clinical deep brain stimulation electrodes. Hong has also gained experience at Johns Hopkins University and worked with Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic.

Keating is interested in the relationships between LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, particularly concerning healthcare impacts. His work at TCNJ includes examining inequality patterns in parental criminalization and Zen Buddhist community organization in the U.S. Beyond TCNJ, he has contributed to projects at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Policy Lab.

The fellowship provides five years of support, including three years of financial aid with an annual stipend of $37,000 and a $16,000 education allowance. Hong expressed gratitude for the financial support and future opportunities provided by the fellowship. Keating highlighted how it would allow him to advance his studies and participate in faculty research projects early in his program.

Bergen plans to pursue a PhD at NYU, aiming for a career in pharmaceuticals focused on drug discovery. He described the NSF GRFP application process as beneficial for developing his research skills.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program honors graduate students who show potential as high-achieving scientists and engineers early in their careers.