Sponsored Fellowships

The Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice University is proud to collaborate with industry leaders and Rice affiliates to offer one-year graduate fellowships available to graduate students pursuing research related to AI, high performance computing, and other related areas of computational science and engineering at Rice University. Since 2001, the Institute has awarded 167 sponsored fellowships totaling over $1.1 million.

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Recipients

2022-2026 Recipients
Top Row: Carolina Brindis, George Chumbipuma, Chunyuan Deng, Aalokeparno (Aalok) Dhar
Bottom Row: Jason Ludmir, Jainish Patel, Haoming Shi, Ria Stevens, Ziyuan Wen

Carolina Brindis, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering—awarded the Scott Morton Memorial fellowship for research that blends high-performance computing with molecular simulation to advance clean-energy solutions, including applications that inform scalable strategies for carbon management and hydrogen storage. Advised by Walter Chapman.

George Chumbipuma, Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research—awarded by ExxonMobil for research integrating scientific machine learning and high-performance computing to develop GPU-accelerated numerical methods. His work enables large-scale simulations of complex physical phenomena on advanced computing architectures. Advised by Beatrice Riviere.

Chunyuan Deng, Computer Science—awarded by Shell for research bridging theory and practice in AI with the development of controllable, efficient, and trustworthy language models that align with human values—improving the safety and reliability of AI application through direct intervention. Advised by Hanjie Chen.

Aalokeparno (Aalok) Dhar, Mechanical Engineering—awarded by bp for research advancing dynamic system analysis. Aalok aims to develop predictive models that combine theoretical mechanics with high-performance computing and machine learning to capture energy dissipation and improve efficiency in large-scale structures. Advised by Matthew Brake.

Jason Ludmir, Computer Science—awarded a Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray fellowship for research at the intersection of high-performance computing, systems, and AI—working to build practical systems that make quantum computing and quantum machine learning more reliable for real-world applications. Advised by Tirthak Patel.

Jainish Patel, Civil and Environmental Engineering—awarded by the Energy HPC & AI Conference for research developing advanced topology-aware fragility models that assess infrastructure vulnerability for natural events including hurricanes—aiming to enhance coastal community resilience with improved planning and disaster mitigation strategies. Advised by Jamie Padgett.

Haoming Shi, Statistics—awarded a Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray fellowship for research developing computationally efficient and scalable machine learning methods that reduce costs and enable robust modeling for modern challenges in energy, high-performance computing, and data analytics. Advised by Hengrui Luo.

Ria Stevens, Computer Science—awarded the Andrew Ladd Memorial Excellence in Computer Science fellowship for research advancing the algorithmic foundations of privacy-preserving and scalable machine learning to enhance computational efficiency, accuracy, and trustworthiness. Advised by Maryam Aliakbarpour.

Ziyuan Wen, Electrical and Computer Engineering—awarded a Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray fellowship for research designing next-generation high-performance computing architectures and AI accelerators through cross-stack optimization—delivering energy-efficient solutions for cloud systems and brain-computer interfaces. Advised by Kaiyuan Yang.

View all past recipients by clicking the dropdown below:

Sponsored Fellowships Awarded Between 2001-2024

2024-2025
  • Yu-Neng (Allen) Chuang, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd Memorial)
  • Anindita Dash, Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (ExxonMobil)
  • Hossein Gazmeh, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Energy HPC Conference)
  • Dragana Grbic, Computer Science (bp)
  • Catherine He, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray)
  • Arnold Kazadi, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray)
  • Ziran Wang, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Scott Morton Memorial)
  • Yihua Xu, Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research (Shell)
  • Nicolas Zilberstein, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray)
2023-2024
  • Sina Alemohammad, Electrical and Computer Engineering (bp)
  • Anja Conev, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray)
  • Katherine Garcia, Psychological Sciences (Shell)
  • Jaewoo Kim, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (ExxonMobil)
  • Nhi Le, Statistics (Energy HPC Conference)
  • Kashif Liaqat, Mechanical Engineering (Scott Morton)
  • Edward Duc Hien Nguyen, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray)
  • Tianyang Pan, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Carlos Taveras, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ken Kennedy-HPE Cray)
2022-2023
  • Fatima Ahsan, Electrical and Computer Engineering (ExxonMobil)
  • Paola Cascante-Bonilla, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Chen Chen, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Scott Morton)
  • Aditya Desai, Computer Science (Shell)
  • Victoria Granja, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Yumeng Liu, Computer Science (bp)
  • Zichang (Emma) Liu, Computer Science (bp)
  • Nicolae Sapoval, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Guanchu Wang, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
2021-2022
  • Shabnam Daghaghi, Electrical and Computer Engineering (bp)
  • Luqin Gan, Statistics (Shell)
  • Bishal Lamichhane, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Energy HPC Conference)
  • Thiago Jose Pinheiro dos Santos, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Energy HPC Conference)
  • Xin Tan, Statistics (Energy HPC Conference)
  • Morgan Underwood, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Zichao (Jack) Wang, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
  • Zhaozhuo Xu, Computer Science (bp)
  • Zhiwei Zhang, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
2020-2021
  • Alejandro Diaz, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
  • Boning Li, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Huiming Lin, Statistics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Tharun Medini, Electrical and Computer Engineering (bp)
  • Thomas (Mitch) Roddenberry, Electrical and Computer Engineering (ExxonMobil)
  • Ivan Rosa de Siqueira, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (SLB)
  • Jiarong Xing, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
2019-2020
  • Nidish Narayanaa Balaji, Mechanical Engineering (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Randall Balestriero, Electrical and Computer Engineering (bp)
  • Ao Cai, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (Shell)
  • Mae Markowski, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Afsaneh Rahbar, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Thomas (Mitch) Roddenberry, Electrical and Computer Engineering (AMD)
  • Christina Taylor, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
  • Keren Zhou, Computer Science (ExxonMobil)
  • Ye Emma Zohner, Statistics (SLB)
2018-2019
  • Manav Bhati, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Ao Cai, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (bp)
  • Carly Fagnant, Statistics (ExxonMobil)
  • Jaeho Lee, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Eleni Litsa, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Mae Markowski, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
  • Alana Semple, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Jordan Shivers, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Wenya Shu, Civil and Environmental Engineering (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Philip Taffet, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Christopher Thiele, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Yicheng Wu, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Applied Physics (OG-HPC Conference)
2017-2018
  • Ashesh Chattopadhyay, Mechanical Engineering (bp)
  • Beidi Chen, Computer Science (bp)
  • Jeffrey Dudek, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Kaihang Guo, Computational and Applied Mathematics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Christopher Metzler, Electrical and Computer Engineering (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Ewa Nowara, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
  • Narmadha Rajan Babu, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ExxonMobil)
  • Luqing Wang, Materials Science and Nanoengineering (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Keren Zhou, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
2016-2017
  • Maurice Fabien, Computational and Applied Mathematics (ExxonMobil)
  • Xin Huang, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Ali Mousavi, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
  • Kim Raath, Statistics (Shell)
  • Yen Sun, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (bp)
  • Luqing Wang, Materials Science and Nanoengineering (Shell)
  • Dingqiao Wen, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Michael Weylandt, Statistics (bp)
  • Yabin Zhang, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
2015-2016
  • Suguman Bansal, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Simbarashe Dzinamarira, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Maurice Fabien, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Robert Kosar, Statistics (Shell)
  • Caleb Magruder, Computational and Applied Mathematics (ExxonMobil)
  • Yen Sun, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (Shell)
  • Lai Wei, Computer Science (bp)
  • Muhong Zhou, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
2014-2015
  • Rajesh Balagam, Bioengineering (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Milind Chabbi, Computer Science (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Xiaodi Deng, Computational and Applied Mathematics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Lei Fu, Earth Science (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Jie Hou, Earth Science (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Ryan Luna, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Shangyu Luo, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Brianna Lynn, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Caleb Magruder, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
  • Deepak Majeti, Computer Science (ExxonMobil)
  • Alina Sbirlea, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Javier Villarreal, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Zheng Wang, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Chaoran Yang, Computer Science (bp)
2013-2014
  • Zhuhua Cai, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Milind Chabbi, Computer Science (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Caleb Fast, Computational and Applied Mathematics (ExxonMobil)
  • Lei Fu, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (bp)
  • Rajesh Gandham, Computational and Applied Mathematics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Ellis Giles, Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Golnaz Habibi, Computer Science (Chevron)
  • Jie Hou, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (bp)
  • Jizhou Li, Computational and Applied Mathematics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Xu Liu, Computer Science (NAG)
  • Eleazar Marquez, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • David Medina, Computational and Applied Mathematics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Kuldeep Singh, Computer Science (Andrew Ladd)
  • Jun Tan, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Zheng Wang, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
2012-2013
  • Devin Grady, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Jonathan Grossman, Computer Science (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Yin Huang, Computational and Applied Mathematics (OG-HPC Conference)
  • Huafeng Liu, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (Chevron)
  • Kun Liu, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Xu Liu, Computer Science (bp)
  • Jianxin Lu, Mechanical Engineering (ExxonMobil)
  • David Medina, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Shell)
  • Azalia Mirhoseini, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
  • Yiting Xia, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Muhong Zhou, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
2011-2012
  • Yenny Chandra, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Rajesh Gandham, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
  • Xu Li, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Kaijian Liu, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (bp)
  • Corina Serediuc, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
2010-2011
  • Drew Bryant, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Saifon Chaturantabut, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Samantha Summerson, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
  • Xin Wang, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
  • Jie Zhang, Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (bp)
2009-2010
  • Sanda Lefteriu, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
  • Travis Martin, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Igor Terentyev, Computational and Applied Mathematics (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
  • Xin Wang, Computational and Applied Mathematics (bp)
2008-2009
  • Arta Sadrzadeh, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Nanoengineering (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
2007-2008
  • Mack Joyner, Computer Science (Ken Kennedy-Cray)
2006-2007
  • Kelsey Beach, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Elica Skorcheva, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
2005-2006
  • Kelsey Beach, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Heather Johnson, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
2004-2005
  • Sarah Burkhart, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Gina Upperman, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
2003-2004
  • Christine Ambrose, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Elspeth Simpson, Computer Science (SLB)
2002-2003
  • Anne Christian, Computer Science (SLB)
  • Katherine Streit, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)
2001-2002
  • Sarah Densmore, Mechanical Engineering (SLB)
  • Ginger Walden, Electrical and Computer Engineering (SLB)

Annual Fellowship Application — Reopens Fall 2026

Applications for the Ken Kennedy Institute's 2025-2026 Sponsored Fellowships are now open! This application is available for current Ph.D. students at Rice University that are advised by Ken Kennedy Institute faculty members. This is a common application, meaning you will only need to submit your information once to be considered for all available one-year graduate fellowships.

Deadline: Applications closed October 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT

Application: Reopens Fall 2026

Upon completing the application, the student will be asked to answer a series of questions, sign a FERPA form, and submit their current CV and a one-page research statement. In addition, each applicant's advisor must send a letter of recommendation directly to the Ken Kennedy Institute via email at kenkennedy@rice.edu. Faculty advisors must be a current member of the Ken Kennedy Institute at the time of submitting the letter of recommendation. Advisors that are not a current member or are not sure of their membership status can reach out to the Institute team to get set up.

Requirements and Important Information:

  • Candidate must be registered as a Ph.D. student at Rice for the entire calendar year in which the candidate is nominated.
  • Candidate must not be in last year of study upon application.
  • If selected, the student should be willing to visit the company funding their fellowship.
  • Candidate should be willing to consider a paid industry internship.
  • Faculty advisor must be a current member of the Ken Kennedy Institute. Search members here or confirm eligibility with your advisor.
  • Recipients are required to acknowledge the fellowship on relevant publications, presentations, posters, and research products, including the Ken Kennedy Institute logo and sponsoring entity when appropriate.
  • Recipients are required to attend and present their work at the annual Ken Kennedy Institute Fellowship Research Showcase.
  • Recipients are strongly encouraged to present a poster during the AI in Health Conference in the fall or Energy HPC & AI Conference in the spring.
  • Fellowship funds disbursed as follows:
    • Student recipients are awarded $6,500 on top of their current stipend (except for the Andrew Ladd Memorial fellowship that awards $5,000).
    • Advisors receive $1,000 to be allocated to a designated fund (does not include Andrew Ladd Memorial fellowship).

Award Process: Fellowship recipients will be announced between late October and early November. The selection process is completed by a fellowship review committee made up of Rice faculty, the Ken Kennedy Institute, and sponsoring companies. For additional information, please contact the Ken Kennedy Institute at kenkennedy@rice.edu.

For more information on each fellowship, visit the links for each sponsor.

Fellowship Logos 25-26
Industry Sponsored Fellowships

Past industry sponsors include AMD, Chevron, NAG, and SLB. If your company is interested in sponsoring a one-year graduate student fellowship, view information about our Corporate Partner Program.

Memorial Sponsored Fellowships