This year, three Ph.D. students were awarded $3,000 each to pursue their research. These students demonstrated that their research, and associated publication, contributed to societal progress.

Congratulations to the following Chih Foundation Student Research Publication Award recipients:

• Joanne Taery Kim, Ph.D. Student in Computer Science, School of Interactive Computing
  Developing a Robot Guide Dog to Assist Visually Impaired People: User-Centered Need-Finding and Integration of Robot AI

Receiving the Chih Foundation Graduate Student Research Publication Award is an incredible honor that validates the impact of my work in assistive robotics. This recognition inspires me to continue advancing innovative solutions for the blind and visually impaired community, driving research that prioritizes societal betterment and inclusivity.

• Meghan Meredith, Ph.D. Student in Operations Research, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering
  The implications of using maternity care deserts to measure progress in access to obstetric care: A mixed-integer optimization analysis

I wanted to get a Ph.D. with a goal to meaningful change in the US healthcare system. Receiving this award based on the impact of my work has been a delight and has encouraged me to continue researching with this goal in mind.

• Rachel Lowy, Ph.D. Student in Human-Centered Computing, School of Interactive Computing
  Research-Education Partnerships: A Co-Design Classroom for College Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

I am excited to use the Chih Fellowship award to advance research on AI to support strengths-based education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursuing higher education, fostering more inclusive and accessible post-secondary education learning environments. Receiving this award was meaningful to me, as it affirms the importance of recognizing and celebrating diverse learners in our communities.

Chih Foundation award recipients prepared posters on their research for a ceremony on November 20. The awardees will also prepare posters on their research and must participate in the Career, Research, and Innovation Development Conference (CRIDC) on Feb. 6.