Bold Ideas, Big Impact: Honoring Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Awardees

The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) at the University of Minnesota supports outstanding Ph.D. candidates by enabling them to focus fully on their research and dissertation writing. The fellowship provides a nine-month stipend, a tuition benefit, and an optional health insurance benefit, allowing fellows to complete their degree on time without the demands of teaching or research assistant duties. This highly competitive university-wide fellowship is a great opportunity for students to advance their academic and professional goals.
We are proud to highlight the experiences of the 2024–2025 DDF fellows as they conclude their fellowship term, and to announce the 2025–2026 DDF awardees in the Mechanical Engineering program. These exceptional students are making groundbreaking advancements in their respective fields of research.

2024–2025 Doctoral Dissertation Fellows

Sachin Kumar

Sachin Kumar’s research, advised by Professor Uwe Kortshagen, focuses on hydrogen microwave plasmas for carbon-free metal oxide reduction. His reflection on receiving the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship:

The DDF helped me immensely in my last year as a PhD student by allowing me to focus on writing my dissertation and manuscripts without the demands of TA/RA responsibilities. It enabled me to pursue research directions beyond the scope of my grant-funded work and present my findings at conferences. The DDF also strengthened my postdoctoral applications, and I am grateful to my advisor and the selection committee for their support.

Gaonan Zhao

Advised by Professor Zongxuan Sun, Gaonan Zhao focuses on motion control and fuel optimization for autonomous off-road vehicles. His reflection on the award:

The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship was both an honor and a catalyst. It allowed me to concentrate fully on the next steps of my research, such as electrifying heavy off-road machinery, and provided me with financial security to complete my dissertation. The support kept me motivated and focused throughout this critical phase of my academic journey.

Martin Herrera Perez

Martin Herrera Perez, advised by Professor Jim Van de Ven, is improving the performance of hydraulic pumps and motors by reducing output flow and torque ripple. He developed modeling tools to design and evaluate custom piston trajectories and validated them in Variable Displacement Linkage Pump/Motor systems used in wave energy and off-road vehicles. His reflection on the fellowship:

Receiving the DDF was a meaningful milestone in my Ph.D. journey. Beyond the financial support, the fellowship gave me the flexibility to expand my research beyond specific projects and focus on broader applications. It also felt like a recognition of years of work and a motivation to keep pursuing innovation in solving real-world engineering problems.

2025–2026 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Awardees

Jae Hyun Nam

Jae Hyun Nam’s research, under the mentorship of Professor Peter Bruggeman, focuses on plasma-enabled nanoengineering, including the development of real-time plasma-TEM diagnostics. His reflection on receiving the fellowship:

The DDF is a meaningful milestone that allows me to focus entirely on completing my research in plasma-enabled nanoengineering. It recognizes my efforts in developing real-time plasma-TEM diagnostics and supports further research in nanomaterial synthesis using non-thermal plasma technologies. I am deeply grateful for my advisor's support and this opportunity to contribute to both scientific and societal advancements.

Sathya Aswath Govind Raju

Sathya Aswath Govind Raju is advised by Professor Zongxuan Sun and is conducting research on data-driven modeling and control for multi-fuel Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) engines, with a focus on sustainable propulsion systems. His reflection on the DDF:

"This recognition from the University is an affirmation of the importance of my research on sustainable propulsion systems. I’m grateful for my advisor’s unwavering support and my family’s encouragement. The fellowship motivates me to push the boundaries of energy-efficient solutions for propulsion systems."

Ibrahim Oladepo

Under the guidance of Professor Suhasa Kodandaramaiah, Ibrahim Oladepo is advancing neuroengineering through the development of tools for high-resolution cerebellar activity recording. His reflection on the award:

"The DDF is instrumental in advancing my research in neuroengineering. It allows me to fully focus on developing novel tools for high-resolution neural recordings, improving the understanding of cerebellar function in natural settings. The fellowship also offers the opportunity to present my findings at leading conferences, enhancing the broader impact of my work.

These outstanding scholars exemplify the excellence and innovation within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. The DDF continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of researchers and leaders, helping them advance their groundbreaking work.