Two graduate students in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University have been awarded fellowships from the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
Laura Lukens, a Ph.D. student in Ecology, and TR Heydman, a Ph.D. student in Forest Sciences, have been selected for this prestigious NSF fellowship.
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. One of its primary goals is to broaden participation across the full spectrum of diverse talents in STEM fields. This five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000.
For her fellowship project, Lukens plans to study how wildfire and climate change interact to influence pollinator and plant communities in the Rocky Mountains.
Between her undergraduate biology degree and Ph.D. program, Lukens focused on studying monarch butterflies and grassland ecology at the University of Minnesota and the nonprofit Monarch Joint Venture. This experience allowed her to engage in citizen science and community outreach efforts.
“I have a strong interest in communicating our research and its relevance, as well as engaging in applied work that can truly make a difference for conservation,” Lukens said.
Her ability to communicate with diverse audiences, ranging from NGOs to businesses and academics, will be instrumental in making her research accessible.
Heydman also brings a diverse background to his research endeavors, which has equipped him with effective communication skills across different groups. His career has primarily focused on resource management, particularly water, while respecting Indigenous governance. During his undergraduate studies, Heydman was involved in community outreach with Uncompaghre Valley Alliance and as a student fellow of the Colorado Water Center.
In addition, feedback from NSF reviewers highlighted Heydman’s prior experience volunteering with teens in a center for substance use recovery, illustrating his dedication to serving his community.
The NSF fellowship will support Heydman in achieving his goals, which include developing a publicly available timeline documenting impacts on Indigenous water rights, creating an educational module for K-12 students about Indigenous water and land relationships, and producing educational materials for water resource professionals focusing on Indigenous land and water relationships.
As a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Heydman aims to promote long-practiced Indigenous methods of water management over extractive approaches.
“I want to integrate my understanding of water law and policy with my Indigenous worldview to better represent contemporary tribal concerns,” Heydman said.
Both scientists express gratitude for the mentorship that has aided their personal development and the fellowship application process. Faculty members Dominique David-Chavez and John Mola, both previous NSF GRFP fellows, provided valuable feedback and encouragement to Heydman and Lukens, respectively.
Laura Lukens extends her thanks to her advisor John Mola, as well as to Carl Stenoien, Karen Oberhauser, and Alison Cariveau.
TR Heydman expresses gratitude to advisors Dominique David-Chavez and Aditi Bhaskar, as well as to Tamara Layden, Gemara Gifford, Ty Smith, and Ursula Quillman.
