Megan Farell awarded NSF fellowship for research on treatment and prevention of diseases

5/22/2017

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Megan Farell, a chemical engineering doctoral candidate, was selected this spring for a National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship. The title of the project is “Nanoscale Enzymatic Devices for Organelle Targeting.” Farell’s research focuses on using two-dimensional materials for nanoscale enzymatic devices that can be integrated with specific organelles for treatment and prevention of diseases. 

According to Farell, there are several diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s, which have been connected to the malfunction of specific organelles (small compartments within cells that perform various functions). However, many of these diseases have no treatments that can target and restore "healthy" function of these organelles.

“I am honored and excited to receive such a prestigious and competitive fellowship,” said Farell. She believes that the NSF fellowship will greatly enhance her research and experiences at Penn State. “In addition to the recognition that accompanies being selected for one of these highly competitive national fellowships, Megan will also benefit from the intellectual freedom that an external fellowship can provide,” said Phil Savage, chemical engineering department head.

Farell obtained her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a biomolecular focus from the University of Tennessee.

The NSF program supports outstanding graduate students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, those in STEM education and learning research, and those in social and behavioral sciences, who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees.

 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Horetsky

jeh94@engr.psu.edu

Megan Farell at work in the lab.

Megan Farell’s lab work focuses on using two-dimensional materials for treatment and prevention of diseases.

“Megan will benefit from the intellectual freedom that an external fellowship can provide in addition to the recognition that accompanies being selected for one of these highly competitive national fellowships.”
—Phil Savage

 
 

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