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Lauren Sullivan, a second-year chemical engineering PhD student in theÌýHayward and Toney labs, has received a prestigious fellowship from the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (NDSEG).

The program, established by Congress in 1989, provides fellowships to up to 500 people across the United States annually and is designed to promote education in science and engineering disciplines relevant to the Department of Defense. Awardees receive a $3,600 per month stipend as well as full tuition and fees coverage.Ìý

What does receiving the NDSEG fellowship mean to you?

Receiving the NDSEG fellowship was a huge reassurance. Graduate school is very difficult, and like many students I have questioned whether I could succeed in research.

In addition to the academic challenges of graduate school, I have faced ongoing health issues throughout my first two years in the program. The fellowship’s guaranteed support provided both validation and peace of mind during a time when research funding and personal circumstances feel uncertain.

Briefly describe your research and why it’s important.

I study how copolymer materials form disordered, interconnected, three-dimensional structures in which both components remain fully continuous rather than breaking into isolated regions. These materials are promising for applications that require both mechanical strength and the ability to transport ions or electrons, such as solid-state batteries. My research seeks to better understand how these structures form, helping scientists design next-generation materials with improved performance and functionality.

Why does this research interest you?

I entered graduate school with a background in applied polymer science, having studied the chemical depolymerization of plastic waste (breaking plastics down to their original chemical building blocks so they can be reused to make new materials). However, I wanted to dive deeper into the physics behind polymer systems, which led me to my current research group.Ìý

What fascinates me most is how many factors must align for these disordered, cocontinuous copolymer structures (materials made from two different polymers that are connected throughout the material without forming a repeating pattern). I enjoy exploring the underlying science behind these systems and advancing our understanding of how they develop.

How will the fellowship help advance your research?

This fellowship will give me the flexibility to pursue ambitious and potentially high-impact research ideas without being limited by short-term funding constraints. It also provides a unique mentoring opportunity through the Office of Naval Research (ONR). I am looking forward to gaining additional career guidance and perspective from a mentor working outside of academia in the broader research community.

What impact do you hope your research will have?

I hope my research will provide a deeper understanding of how disordered cocontinuous copolymer systems form, enabling the development of new materials and devices. Lightweight, mechanically robust materials are a hot topic right now because of their wide range of potential applications. By better understanding this emerging class of polymer structures, I hope to help open the door to new technologies and advanced functional materials such as lightweight structural composites, solid state batteries and filtration membranes.

What advice would you give to other students interested in applying for competitive fellowships?

I would encourage students to put themselves out there and apply. It can be intimidating to apply for highly competitive fellowships, and it’s easy to write off applying when so few people are selected, but it does not hurt to try. There have been many competitive scholarships, fellowships and internships that I was not selected for, but I kept trying, and my persistence paid off.

Is there anything else you'd like readers to know?

I am incredibly grateful to my advisors, ProfessorsÌýRyan Hayward andÌýMike Toney, as well as my lab mates and collaborators, for their mentorship and support. I am also thankful for the opportunity provided by the NDSEG fellowship, and I’m excited to continue exploring fundamental questions in polymer science that may ultimately enable new materials and technologies.