Texas Space Grant Selects Physics Students as Scholars

This year’s recipients—Alan Briseño, Nicholas Cox and Xavier Grundler—are all active members of the Society of Physics Students, a group known for leading physics and astronomy outreach. Each student has also engaged in undergraduate research within the department, which offers opportunities in astrophysics, stellar and nuclear astronomy, planetary science, surface physics and materials research.

Briseño, a physics major with an emphasis in astrophysics, said the scholarship will support his ongoing research with Dr. Billy Quarles.

“My research focuses on planetary dynamics, and receiving the Texas Space Grant Consortium scholarship allows me to continue developing these interests while preparing for graduate school,” Briseño said.

Grundler, who studies neutron stars under the mentorship of Dr. Bao-An Li, said the award enables him to continue advancing his work.

“Last year this scholarship supported my research on neutron stars, and we were able to publish our results and present them at multiple conferences,” Grundler said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue expanding our models of matter under extreme conditions.”

Cox said the scholarship eases financial pressures and allows him to focus more fully on his coursework and research.

“With this scholarship, I won’t have to worry about the cost of books or supplies this semester, and I’ll be able to concentrate more fully on my studies,” he said.

Read the full article on myparistexas.com

Image Credit: MyParisTexas

Author Credit: Trey Wright

Original Post Date: 1.26.26