Christie Bergerson, graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been awarded the 2015 U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship.
Bergerson received the fellowship based on her outstanding academic record and contributions in research, teaching and mentoring, noted Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies Karen Butler-Purry in a congratulatory letter to Bergerson. As a 2015 Gramm Fellow, Bergerson was formally recognized with a cash award of $5,000 and a framed certificate.
Bergerson, a Ph.D. candidate, conducts research that focuses on the development of a novel bone-implant interface for the tibial tray of total knee replacements. This research is a partnership with 4Web Medical, Inc. During the course of her research, Bergerson has mentored 11 undergraduate students, the majority of whom have entered graduate school. In addition, she has developed and taught a course on experimental design in biomechanical testing for undergraduate seniors. Bergerson also is founder of the BMEN Ambassadors, an organization dedicated to enhancing accessibility to the department for the community, prospective students, visiting scholars and prospective faculty.
The Gramm Fellowship promotes, encourages and rewards outstanding teaching and research by doctoral students whose command of their respective disciplines exemplifies the meaning of scholar/mentor in the highest sense. Students who are awarded this fellowship excel in both research and teaching.
In 2007, the university’s Office of Graduate Studies began awarding deserving graduate students with the fellowship from an endowment created by the Texas A&M Foundation. The endowment was created from donations given in honor of Gramm, who, in addition to leading a distinguished legislative career, served as professor of economics at Texas A&M.
Gramm spent two decades serving in the U.S. Congress and Senate, using his economic and financial expertise to create important laws and policies, and to provide advice to legislators and the White House. Gramm is senior partner of Gramm Partners, a public policy firm in Washington, D.C.