Graduate Fellowships and Awards
Each year research scholarships/fellowships are offered to graduate students enrolled at Virginia Tech. These awards are made possible by participants in MII’s Industrial Partners Program, faculty advisor funding, and Virginia Tech.
This award is organized by the POLY division to recognize outstanding graduate students in polymer science and engineering.
2026 Winners
Kihyeon Ahn
This award is given once every 18 months to an MII affiliated faculty member and graduate student.
2026 Winners
Interdisciplinary Student Award Winner: Kihyeon Ahn
Interdisciplinary Faculty Award Winner: John Matson
2025 Winners
Interdisciplinary Student Award Winner: Christopher Jackson
Interdisciplinary Faculty Award Winner: Kevin Edgar
2023 Winners
Interdisciplinary Student Award Winner: Zhenghao Zhai
Interdisciplinary Faculty Award Winner: Michael J. Bortner
2022 Winners
Interdisciplinary Student Award Winner: Arit Das
Interdisciplinary Faculty Award Winner: Christopher Williams
2019 Winners
Interdisciplinary Student Award Winner: Camden Chatham
Interdisciplinary Faculty Award Winner: David Dillard
2018 Winners
Interdisciplinary Student Award Winner: Jake Fallon
Interdisciplinary Faculty Award Winner: Robert Moore
Award: The Garth L. Wilkes Interdisciplinary Scholar Awards are named in honor of Professor Garth L. Wilkes, who was an internationally-recognized interdisciplinary scholar, faculty colleague, and personal friend to many people around the world. Dr. Wilkes played a leadership role in the formation of the Polymeric Materials and Interfaces Laboratory (PMIL) at Virginia Tech, which was a predecessor to the current institute. He also was instrumental in the construction of the Macromolecular Science and Engineering (MACR) degree, which serves as a university model for interdisciplinary graduate education.
Criteria: The MII Leadership will select a faculty member and graduate student who represent interdisciplinary excellence in research, teaching, and engagement.
Adhesive Manufacturers Scholarship (2020)
Kaavya Nimmakayala (Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics)
2020 Winners
Sarah Blosch (Chemistry)
Weiwei Shi (Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics)
2021 Winners
Cassell McMillian (Sustainable Biomaterials)
Ethan Fink (Chemistry)
Alex Coley (Chemistry)
2020 Winners
Madison Bardot (Chemistry)