Kailong Zhang, a second-year PhD student in the School of Natural Resources, is the proud recipient of the 2023-2024 Oscar Roy Ashley Graduate Fellowship. Zhang’s innovative research is focused on wood and cellulose-based functional materials, guided by the expertise of CRC professor, Dr. Mi Li. This fellowship is for deserving and talented returning students who have demonstrated excellence in academic performance, highlighting Zhang’s noteworthy academic achievements and professional commitment.

Issac Sutton is a sophomore Chemical Engineering student at UTK. He has always been passionate about finding sustainable solutions to pressing environmental challenges, and he joined Dr. Li’s group in early 2023 to try and make a lasting impact in the field of green chemistry. He has been awarded the Advanced Undergraduate Research Activity 2023 Summer Fellowship to work on cellulose-based adsorbents in Dr. Li’s lab. Congratulations!