Chris York of Buna, a senior double major in mathematics and computer science at Lamar University, has been selected to receive the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. 

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based Master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. For the 2018 competition, NSF received over 12,000 applications, and made 2,000 award offers.

“The application requires a transcript, a graduate research plan essay, an academic personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. The graduate research plan serves as a proposal for the type of research you want to do in graduate school,” said York. “This process has made me more confident in my ability to apply and receive competitive funding.”

“This is achievement a first for a Lamar University student, at least in the last 10 years,” said Valentin Andreev, professor of mathematics and York’s research mentor. “Chris has consistently performed in an outstanding way from the beginning of his studies at Lamar University. As his mentor, I am quite convinced that Chris has the potential to greatly contribute to the development of science.”

Upon graduating, York plans to earn his doctorate in mathematics and specialize in functional analysis and operator theory, then teach at a reputable university. Because physics makes heavy use of operator theory, he will also complete a minor in physics.

“After graduating in May, I’ll be pursuing my Ph.D. in applied and interdisciplinary mathematics at University of Michigan Ann Arbor and will be funded by the NSF for three years,” said York.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.

In 2017, York became the fourth LU student to receive the distinguished Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, an honor annually awarded to only about 300 college sophomores and juniors nationwide.

A former student in LU’s Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities, a residential program for gifted and talented high school-aged students, and a Mirabeau Scholar at LU, York has continued to excel and has engaged in numerous research projects through the aid of the McNair Scholars Program and the Office of Undergraduate Research.