Contact: Phil Hearn
Photo by: Megan Bean
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Mississippi State computer science and biochemistry graduate from Starkville is receiving a 2005 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship worth $120,000 for three years of work toward a doctorate.
Alan P. Boyle received degrees, both summa cum laude, in computer science engineering and biochemistry/molecular biology during the university's May 7 commencement. He will begin utilizing the nationally competitive fellowship in the fall when entering the bioinformatics and genome technology doctoral program at Duke University.
The son of MSU faculty members John A. and Carolyn Boyle, he is among 1,020 national winners of the NSF fellowship, which provides a $30,000 stipend and $10,500 cost-of-education allowance per recipient annually over the three-year period. The education allowance covers tuition, travel, textbooks and computer costs, etc.
Additionally, Boyle will receive a James B. Duke Fellowship, which provides a $4,000 stipend supplement for four years to any other award the student receives. The James B. Duke 100th Anniversary Fund provides fellowships for students who wish to pursue a program leading to a doctor of philosophy degree in the Duke University Graduate School.
Boyle, a President's Scholar and University Honors Program graduate, said he has not yet decided whether to enter academia or industry after completing his doctorate.
"I intend to teach some in graduate school to determine if I would prefer that course of action," he said prior to graduation. "I think some industry work right after graduate school probably would be the best option for me."
Boyle said the bioinformatics and gnome technology graduate program is designed for students with an interest in and aptitude for a combined degree in computational and biological sciences. The program also offers master's and doctoral students an opportunity to qualify for BGT certification through additional coursework, independent study and series of seminars.
"The program provides the education students will need to apply their skills to solve important problems falling within the BGT interdisciplinary area," he added.
Boyle was one of two Mississippi State students receiving the prestigious NSF fellowship this year. Tonya W. Stone, a Starkville native and master's student in mechanical engineering, will use her fellowship to pursue a doctorate at MSU.
In addition, two MSU students received honorable mention in the 2005 NSF fellowship competition. They include Aaron Z. Hood of Senatobia, a senior electrical engineering major; and Justin T. Rucker of Columbus, a graduate student in electrical engineering. Honorable mention recognition does not include financial support.
"We are very proud, indeed, of the accomplishments of our students in the NSF competition this year," said Bill Person, director of MSU's Office of Graduate Studies. "We solicit faculty to encourage more of our outstanding students to apply for this prestigious 2006 program award this fall."
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Linda Bonner, Office of Graduate Studies, at (662) 325-7400 or lbonner@grad.msstate.edu.
--------------------------------
LOCAL EDITORS:
Alan Boyle' father John is a professor and head of MSU's department of biochemistry and molecular biology, while his mother Carolyn is an associate professor and biostatistician for College of Veterinary Medicine's department of basic sciences.
Tonya Stone is the daughter of Ozzie Williams of Starkville and the late longtime Starkville alderman Harold E. Williams. She and husband Dwayne are the parents of three children--Joshua, Jordan and Jasmine.
Aaron Hood is the son of Harold and Sandra Hood of Senatobia.
Justin Rucker is the son of Jeffry and Susan Rucker of Columbus.