Two West Virginia University researchers have joined an elite group after being awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a program that supports graduate education in STEM-based fields.

This year’s recipients are Camila Romero, of Morgantown, and Christopher Smith, of Point Pleasant. Both are pursuing research-based doctoral degrees.

The Graduate Research Fellowship program is designed to help ensure the quality, vitality and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. Fellows are provided professional development opportunities, in addition to a three-year annual stipend of $37,000.

During the application process for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the recipients received support from the WVU ASPIRE Office, which assists students applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships.

Camila Romero

Romero, a 2023 WVU graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, had research experiences in a variety of labs during her time as an undergraduate student. As a senior, she was inspired by the cross of neuroscience and computational algorithms, and worked with Kevin Daly, professor of biology at WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, to develop Python algorithms to analyze data from fruit fly experiments.

“I always wanted to do something computational in nature,” she said of her academic journey. “I took data science classes and gained a lot of skills, and I did quite a bit of machine learning.” She went on to complete her capstone project at the California Institute of Technology.

Since graduation, Romero has been working as a research assistant at Vanderbilt University. Her current research, which draws from the variety of experiences she had as a WVU undergraduate student, focuses on developing brain-machine interface devices and using electrophysiology to understand the process of learning. Moving forward, she aims to develop algorithms that mimic brain functions using data from mice to train computational models.

“Incorporating these algorithms is a must,” said Romero, stressing the advantages of using computational models alongside animal studies. “It’s a way forward, because we can only replicate things up to a point. In the bigger picture, these pathways of analysis can open a lot of doors we otherwise wouldn’t have considered.”

Romero will soon be pursuing a doctorate in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and credits WVU with fostering her research interests and leadership skills.

“There’s an enormous amount of research going on at WVU in all different areas, and that was really helpful for my career because I was able to pinpoint exactly what I wanted to do. I was able to experience all different kinds of neuroscience.”

She also took part in the Presidential Student Ambassadors program, which gave her the chance to develop her scientific communication.

“I struggled with public speaking,” Romero said. “As a scientist, that’s not great, since you have to be out there presenting. Getting to participate in that program really helped shape me to not only become a good scientist, but a good science communicator. Having those leadership opportunities at WVU was fantastic for my research career.”

Christopher Smith

A first-generation college student with STEM aspirations, Smith knew medical school wasn’t for him, but it took time to find his bearings when he arrived at WVU. After connecting with like-minded Honors College students, Smith confirmed biomedical engineering fit both his abilities and his interests.

“I realized I could make a difference and actually help people,” he said. “I could do it from behind the scenes, where I get to pull in my strengths in math and science.” As a freshman, his math professor, David Miller, encouraged him to consider undergraduate research.

Smith joined Soumya Srivastava, assistant professor of chemical and biomedical engineering, in her lab, where he learned the research process. He also worked with Raphael Oladokun, a graduate research assistant and WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Fellow, on the development of a diagnostic tool for early breast cancer detection.

Smith has continued to focus on this work throughout his undergraduate career, including in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience program at WVU. He had opportunities to explore new projects, including an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez before his senior year. Smith said his work with stem cells was “completely different than what I’ve done at WVU. It was an incredible experience, both the work and learning how to collaborate with new people.”

While his work with breast cancer detection has been fulfilling, Smith’s true passion lies in global public health outreach.

“A big part of my experience here has been the work we do with Global Medical and Dental Brigades,” he said. “We travel to rural areas in Central America and help facilitate medical and dental clinics. We work with local doctors, dentists, pharmacists and community leaders. The students take vital signs and sit in on patient consultations to get exposure to rural medicine.”

Such communities depend on access to resources. In the next phase of his research career — a doctoral program at Rice University — Smith said he hopes to focus on providing remote places vital access to diagnostics screening and making vaccines more accessible and sustainable in these areas. A vaccine that can be kept at room temperature, for example, will be important.

“For my doctoral program, I searched for labs working on biomedical engineering research for global health. I want to work on diagnostic devices or vaccines that are going to be point of care, that are going to be available in rural areas.”

Smith was named a 2024 Goldwater Scholar, a prestigious recognition for students in STEM. It’s an achievement that goes beyond personal success and stands as a symbol of encouragement for other first-generation, Hispanic and rural students.

“I want to make sure that my story inspires people who have a similar background,” he said.

“People from rural West Virginia may not know what they’re going to do if they go to college. I always encourage people to really put themselves out there. Everybody at WVU, all the professors I’ve met — I don’t think I’ve had a bad experience. Just get involved in the organizations. That’s how you find what you want to do and take the next step in your life.”