Two ME PhD students have been awarded 2025 Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF) from the National Science Foundation. Through these fellowships, NSF aims to aid in developing the scientific and engineering community in the United States by supporting early-career graduate students. The University of Michigan Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of the nation’s leaders in NSFs awarded to mechanical engineering graduate students.
The GRFP is a highly-competitive award, with approximately 2,000 students selected nationwide in a typical year. In 2025, only 1,500 students were selected to receive a GRF. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support to awardees.
Andrew Seelhoff
Andrew Seelhoff is a second-year PhD student in mechanical engineering. He conducts research in the Locomotor Control Systems Lab, advised by Robert Gregg, associate professor of robotics. Seelhoff primarily works with designing and implementing control systems for powered prosthetic legs in order to restore and enhance mobility for people with limb loss.
“More than anything, it’s a bit of a relief, as funding in academia seems to be less certain than ever,” Seelhoff said about receiving a GRF. “Knowing I’ll be able to work on something I feel passionate about for the remainder of my PhD is quite reassuring. As an above-knee amputee myself, it’s a very fitting and impactful field to work in,” he explained. ”
Anushka Rathi
Anushka Rathi is a member of the Neurobionics Lab, advised by Elliot Rouse, associate professor of mechanical engineering and robotics. Her work is focused on characterizing biological joint impedance, the mechanical response of a joint to a perturbation, in the lower-limb joints (knee and ankle) during various activities of daily living.
“I feel very lucky to have been given the award and am grateful to all of my mentors whose guidance made it possible,” she said. “Most of all, I’m relieved and excited that my PhD will focus on work I genuinely enjoy.”