Grad Students Win Holmes Fellowships

Hassan (left) and Vatanparvar will receive fees, non-resident tuition and a monthly stipendOct. 2, 2017 - Two doctoral students in the Samueli School Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering will receive 2017-18 Holmes Fellowships, which include fees, non-resident tuition and a monthly stipend, to support their graduate studies.

Ahmed Hassan and Daryosh Vatanparvar were selected by the Holmes Fellowship Committee based on their academic records and their research’s direct connection to the technology and theory of navigation and guidance devices.

Hassan, whose graduate adviser is Assistant Professor Haithem Tata, researches controllability of nonlinear dynamical systems; Vatanparvar, advised by Professor Andrei M. Shkel, designs, models and fabricates navigational-grade gyroscopes.

Both students will receive support during all three academic quarters of this school year.

Hassan, a third-year Ph.D. student, said, “I was very excited when I found out that I got selected for a Holmes fellowship. It is an honor for me to be one of the recipients of this fellowship.”

Added Vatanparvar, a second year Ph.D. student: "Being selected was a huge honor, and as a fellowship recipient, it will definitely help me with my graduate research. I am certain that having this opportunity will motivate me even more to achieve my goal of contributing to my field as a researcher."

The Holmes Fellowship is available to master’s level and doctoral students studying electrical engineering and computer science, and mechanical and aerospace engineering, who have a demonstrated background and interest in flight systems navigation.

- Anna Lynn Spitzer