May 2010 Kevin P. Klubek, a Chemical Engineering graduate student in the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has been awarded a prestigious 2010 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. Kevin’s research proposal focused on studying the instability mechanism of phenanthroline-based electron transport materials in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) while finding viable alternatives to achieve OLEDs that are both efficient and long-lived. He will pursue Ph.D. research under the guidance of Professor Ching W. Tang.

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is a competitive fellowship program designed to ensure the vitality of the scientific and technological workforce in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. It recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees. NSF Fellows are expected to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering.

Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $30,000 along with a $10,500 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees, a one-time $1,000 international travel allowance and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S., or foreign institution of graduate education they choose.