2 Pitt graduate students and their advisors were named Gilliam Fellows

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) named two graduate students studying biological sciences in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and their advisors as Gilliam Fellows. The annual award is given in recognition of outstanding research and a commitment to building a more inclusive scientific ecosystem.

Rachael Kramp and Crystal Lara Santos were among 50 students from 37 institutions in the 2023 cohort, and they join 451 fellows in the community to date. Kramp’s advisor is Assistant Professor Jessica Stephenson; Santos’ advisor is Associate Professor Anne Carlson. Frederick Honors College Scholar Mentor Josh Cannon advised the students through the application process.

Each student-advisor pair will receive an annual award totaling $53,000 for up to three years. According to HHMI, the Gilliam Fellows Program invests in pairs that embody leadership in science and are committed to advancing equity and inclusion. Advisors will participate in a yearlong mentorship course, which includes monthly online interactive webinars and two in-person workshops at HHMI headquarters in Maryland.