For the first time, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected a student from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
The five-year fellowship will provide Kelsey Glasper with three years of critical financial support, including an annual stipend and coverage of educational expenses, and access to professional development opportunities as she completes her PhD in neuroscience at UT Health Science Center. The highly competitive fellowship is awarded to exceptional graduate students in their first or second year of a research-based master’s or doctoral program.
“Knowing that only about 14% of over 14,000 applicants receive the award each year, and that only 27% of those awardees come from underrepresented minorities, it felt surreal to realize I was part of such a selective group,” Glasper said. “The application involved crafting a personal statement and research proposal, both of which took months of drafting and revising. It was a rigorous process, but it allowed me to sharpen my research ideas and clarify my long-term vision as a scientist.”
Glasper is originally from the Memphis and North Mississippi area and a graduate of Rhodes College. She works with her mentor Max Fletcher, PhD, professor of anatomy and neurobiology and a member of the UT Health Science Center Neuroscience Institute, in researching the basic principles of how the brain encodes sensory information, which is fundamental to understanding perception and cognition.
“I am interested in cholinergic signaling within the olfactory system, with a focus on the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (HDB). This region is key to modulating attention and sensory processing, and studying it allows me to explore how neural circuits influence behavior at both basic and complex levels,” she said. “I’ve always been fascinated by the brain and how it shapes who we are, but I was particularly drawn to studying cholinergic systems because of their fundamental role in attention, memory, and learning—processes that are critical to everyday life and are often disrupted in neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.”
Glasper said she is drawn to this area of research because of the potential for discovery and the interdisciplinary nature of the work. She said it combines behavioral analysis, advanced imaging techniques, and robust data analytics, which keeps things both challenging and rewarding.
“Every experiment feels like uncovering a new piece of the puzzle, and I’m driven by the possibility that my research could contribute to a better understanding of how the brain works, potentially leading to new treatments for cognitive disorders,” she said. “I love that my research can have both theoretical and practical implications, giving me the chance to make meaningful contributions to science while also impacting real-world health outcomes.”
“This award strengthens my ability to contribute to meaningful advancements in the field and helps me build the skills and connections I need to succeed both in academia and beyond.”
Kelsey Glasper
According to Glasper, the GRFP will help her become a better student and researcher. She said it provides financial security so she can dedicate more time to developing her projects without the stress of securing external funding or balancing multiple responsibilities. This support allows her to take on more ambitious research questions and explore creative approaches that may not have been possible otherwise.
“The fellowship sets a strong foundation for my future career,” she said. “Being recognized by the NSF not only validates my work but also enhances my credibility as I move forward in the scientific community. It opens doors for collaborations and provides access to a network of leading researchers and resources that can shape my growth as a neuroscientist. This award strengthens my ability to contribute to meaningful advancements in the field and helps me build the skills and connections I need to succeed both in academia and beyond.”
Being the first UT Health Science Center student to receive the NSF GRFP is an honor Glasper does not take lightly. She said she hopes this achievement serves as inspiration to her fellow students who might feel opportunities like this are out of reach.
“For me personally, it’s a reminder that my work is meaningful, and it reinforces my commitment to contributing to both science and my community,” she said. “I’m excited to represent UT Health Science Center on a national stage and show that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve your dreams right where you are.”
While she is still unsure what her future career will be, Glasper said the NSF GRFP will help her fulfill her broader goal of creating pathways for those who may not have seen themselves represented in science before. “As a scientist, I want to use mentorship and outreach to inspire the next generation of scholars, particularly young Black men and women, to pursue careers in STEM,” she said. “Ultimately, my future will be guided by a dedication to making science more inclusive and accessible.”