University of New Haven Chemical Engineering Students Earn Research Awards, Scholarships, and Fellowships

Three Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering majors are gaining recognition for their academic achievements and commitment to engineering research and professional development.

 

Students in the University of New Haven's Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CHME) program are earning recognition for their academic achievements and opening doors to new opportunities in research, energy, sustainability, and professional leadership.

Amna Al-Azdee '27 received the Spring 2026 NASA Connecticut Space Grant Undergraduate Research Award, which will support her research into sustainable ethylene production.

Tristyn Barnes '27 was selected for an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and National Entergy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Fellowship, where he will contribute to a research project on gas hydrates through the NETL's Professional Internship Program.

Cassandra Collins '28 received the FY26 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Connecticut Scholarship in recognition of her academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to the engineering community.

'Prepare students to excel in research, industry, and professional service'

The three honors reflect the students' dedication to applying their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges while pursuing opportunities that will help shape their careers.

For Nagasree Garapati, Ph.D., P.E., coordinator of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering program, the students' achievements reflect the strength of the program's approach to education and career preparation.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of serving in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering program is watching our students grow into confident engineers, researchers, and leaders," she said. "The recent recognition earned by several of our students reflects their talent, dedication, and perseverance, while also highlighting the strength of our program's culture of mentorship, experiential learning, and innovation. Their accomplishments demonstrate how classroom learning, hands-on experiences, and faculty support can prepare students to excel in research, industry, and professional service."

'I look forward to the research skills I can develop'

For Al-Azdee, the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Undergraduate Research Award represents an important step toward tackling engineering challenges and exploring sustainable solutions. Her research will focus on the technoeconomic assessment of green ethylene production from captured carbon dioxide (CO₂), connecting chemical engineering with questions of sustainability and resource use.

"This award is a significant indication of progress in my education," Al-Azdee said. "I am now taking my first steps to tackling the engineering community's ever-growing list of pending problems, and I look forward to the research skills I can develop as I join a competitive group of student researchers."

Al-Azdee credits the CHME program with helping her develop the independence and confidence to pursue research. Faculty encouragement, including mentorship from Dr. Garapati, has helped her see making mistakes as part of the learning process.

Looking ahead, she hopes to strengthen her critical-thinking skills and to continue exploring how engineering can support sustainable space exploration. She is also approaching her fourth rotation as an intern at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

"Knowing that a group of accomplished professional women in engineering recognized my academic achievements, leadership, outreach efforts, and commitment to the engineering community means a lot to me."

- Cassandra Collins '28

'It feels great to see that work pay off in a big way'

Barnes' selection for the ORISE NETL Fellowship offers an opportunity to apply skills developed through his chemical engineering coursework to research with the National Energy Technology Laboratory. His project will involve analyzing and presenting data from computer simulations of gas-hydrate formations.

"I'm very honored to be selected for the fellowship with ORISE NETL," Barnes said. "I have been very involved within the Chemical Engineering department for the past two years now, and it feels great to see that work pay off in a big way.

"Each of my classes throughout the past three years have done an excellent job in teaching me how to present large data sets in a professional manner," Branes shared. Those skills will be central to his fellowship, which will involve transforming and displaying research data.

The experience may also help him identify a future career direction. With energy playing a critical role in society, Barnes sees the fellowship as a chance to explore how chemical engineers can help address industrial challenges and potentially, "entice me to pursue this field post-graduation."

'Make a positive difference'

Collins views receiving the SWE Connecticut Scholarship as both a meaningful personal achievement and recognition of her contributions to engineering. She is the first University of New Haven student to receive the scholarship in more than a decade.

"Knowing that a group of accomplished professional women in engineering recognized my academic achievements, leadership, outreach efforts, and commitment to the engineering community means a lot to me," Collins said.

She credits her family's influence, faculty mentorship, and opportunities through the CHME program with shaping her interest in engineering. Her involvement in research, leadership, and STEM outreach has also strengthened her commitment to helping younger students discover engineering careers.

The scholarship will help offset educational expenses, allowing her to focus on coursework, research, and outreach. As she considers graduate school and industry opportunities, Collins hopes to pursue work in areas such as sustainability, energy, manufacturing, and environmental engineering.

"Ultimately, I hope to use both my education and my experiences to create opportunities for others," she said. "I also want to contribute to meaningful engineering challenges, and make a positive difference through the work I do."