We’re thrilled to shine this week’s Graduate Student Spotlight on Ellie White, who has been awarded a highly competitive Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF)!
Ellie, a Physics M.S. student in the Department of Mathematics and Physics, is using the fellowship to support her graduate education and continue her research in astrophysics and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).
A proud Marshall alum (B.S. in Physics, Class of 2021), Ellie’s impressive résumé includes work with the Green Bank Observatory, UC Berkeley SETI Research Center / SETI Institute, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and the West Virginia Alliance for STEM and the Arts.
Since starting her graduate studies in Fall 2024, Ellie has taught intro physics and astronomy courses—and says she’s been inspired every day by the curiosity and resilience of Marshall’s students. With the support of the NSF Fellowship, Ellie plans to complete her M.S. and pursue a Ph.D. in physics, with hopes of giving back to her community and sharing the wonder of astronomy with others.
Congratulations, Ellie! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next—maybe even beyond the stars!