Recipient: NSF GRFP Fellowship

Year: 2018

Andrea Malek will use this fellowship to investigate why and at what point certain learning environments advance students’ understanding of science. Her research further clarifies how changes in students’ thinking allows them to engage with the discipline as it relates to understanding and advancing science literacy.

“In my case, being awarded a GRFP means that I can devote myself entirely to my doctoral study,” Malek says. “Without it, I was planning to balance classroom teaching and my studies for at least another year, which would have undoubtedly made it more difficult to maximize my time and opportunities at Iowa.”

Malek also plans to use the fellowship to apply for NSF-funded research and internship opportunities.

As a full-time teacher at the time, Malek sought the assistance of the Graduate College’s Office of Graduate Student Success in preparing her GRFP application.

“(The Office of Graduate Student Success) was critical in helping me to understand the application process, and ultimately be a competitive candidate for the GRFP,” Malek says. “I had multiple interactions (in-person and online) with staff, who gave me wonderful advice in preparing an application.”