Macosko Fellowship: Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators in Partnership with Alumni

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of CEMS alumni and friends, the Chris and Kathleen Macosko Fellowship is supporting two first-year graduate students in 2024. The year-long Macosko Fellowship crowdfunding campaign garnered overwhelming support from donors of all magnitudes, culminating in a total of $103,000 in new gifts and commitments, which was further amplified by a significant contribution of $50,000 from an anonymous matching gift donor. Our community’s collective generosity has made a significant impact on this graduate fellowship fund, established by Emeritus Professor Chris Macosko and his wife, Kathleen, in 2010.
The current Macosko Fellows bring international perspectives to Amundson Hall. Mohammad Asaf Zaki, hails from Varanasi, India with a background in Materials Science from the esteemed IIT Varanasi. Zaki is dedicated to addressing pressing environmental challenges through his research focus on electrocatalysis. Similarly, Saranya Velliyarat brings a wealth of talent and ambition to the realm of Materials Science. Hailing from Kerala, India, Velliyarat's research endeavors center on unraveling the dynamics of quantum matter.
These donations have had a tremendous impact across CEMS. As Department Head Dan Frisbie notes, “it is humbling and energizing to see so many of our alumni and friends invest in the future of graduate education in CEMS, while also honoring Professor Macosko's legacy of excellence in teaching and research. “
In heartfelt appreciation of the donors' generosity, Chris Macosko reflects on the significance of their contributions stating, “Kathleen and I are honored to see so many folks respond to the match opportunity. They know how valuable this financial support is for attracting outstanding graduate students. We enjoy meeting the students and following their career growth at the U. “
We at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science would like to echo Dan and Chris’ remarks with our own sincere gratitude. We are excited for each student’s future in the Department and hope to provide support for more students in the coming years.
Quotes from the 2024 Macosko Fellows:
Why CEMS?
Saranya Velliyarat: “CEMS has the best professors with expertise across various disciplines. Its interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere sets it apart, making it truly exceptional.
Mohammad Asaf Zaki: “I have been keen on solving pressing environmental problems because it makes me anxious about imagining the future world. I desired the best guidance and topmost research facilities at my disposal to use my skills and talent to work for a better tomorrow.I am excited to push myself intellectually and develop more skills while working with exceptional people”
How would you describe the CEMS community?
SV: Whether it’s through informal discussions, collaborative projects, or attending departmental events together, my peers in CEMS provide invaluable support and encouragement, making the department feel like a welcoming and inclusive community.
How has the Macosko Fellowship impacted your life, education, and future?
SV: The generosity of CEMS alumni has profoundly shaped my academic journey and allowed me to pursue my passion for research. Without this fellowship, my dream of doing a PhD in materials science and engineering wouldn’t have been possible. The support has not only given me financial help, but also motivated me to work harder and more creatively in my research. I’m thankful for the CEMS community’s help and I’m determined to do my best to make them proud.
MZ: Being able to use science and engineering as a career and making a positive impact on the world by using my skills and intellect is a gift for me. I promise to work even harder and commit myself towards innovation and impactful results, which leads to a better future in the clean energy domain. I thank the CEMS donors from the bottom of my heart for their trust in me.