Anna Sandberg
Anna Sandberg, a 2014 Lee graduate, was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship by the National Science Foundation.
The fellowship will provide funding for Ms. Sandberg’s doctoral research on the physics of materials. Ms. Sandberg is currently in Vanderbilt University’s Interdisciplinary Material Science program, under the direction of Dr. Cary Pint. Her current project involves the synthesis and characterization of iron disulfide nanoparticles and the study of their use inside lithium ion batteries and sodium ion batteries. According to Ms. Sandberg, her findings so far could revolutionize the technology industry, especially when it comes to making batteries rechargeable.
“The thing I love most about math and science is that the more you study and the more you research, the more you learn about God, His creation, and ultimately His character,” said Ms. Sandberg. “With this NSF fellowship, I plan to continue my studies and my research, as well as my outreach to local middle and high schools to inspire and encourage students with science. Upon completion of the PhD program, my goal is to serve as a professor at an institution where I can teach students science and about the character of God.”
While at Lee, Ms. Sandberg double majored in mathematics and chemistry, was a Presidential Scholar, received tennis and leadership scholarships, and interned at the NASA Glenn Research Center. She served as captain of the Lady Flames tennis team and president of Sigma Nu Sigma, working as a teaching assistant and tennis instructor. Ms. Sandberg was the recipient of the 2014 Charles Paul Conn Award, awarded annually to a Lee senior who demonstrates the greatest promise of achievement in graduate or professional studies after graduation.
“I feel incredibly honored and grateful to be awarded such a prestigious fellowship, but when I think about this award, I am most grateful to the teachers and mentors who encouraged me in my studies," said Ms. Sandberg. "I whole heartedly believe that one of the most important things in academia is mentor-mentee relationships, and I couldn't have asked for better mentors during my time at Lee than Dr. Laura Singletary and Dr. Johnny Evans."
“Anna's academic excellence follows from a profound sense of calling and a heart for service,” said Dr. Singletary, Lee assistant professor of mathematics. “We are all very proud of her and know she will continue to contribute significantly to her field during her graduate studies and beyond because her sense of calling motivates her passion for her work.”
The NSF is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Since 1952, NSF has provided fellowships to individuals selected early in their graduate careers based on their demonstrated potential for significant achievements in science and engineering.
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program seeks to develop the globally-engaged workforce necessary to ensure the nation's leadership in advancing science and engineering research and innovation. GRFP offers fellowship awards directly to graduate students selected through a national competition, providing three years of financial support within a five-year fellowship period for graduate study that leads to a research-based master's or doctoral degree in science or engineering.
For more information about the NSF or the GRFP, visit www.nsf.gov.