Three ArtSci Chemistry Students Named 2026 NSF Graduate Research Fellows

This year, three chemistry graduate students represent the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University in the 2026 class of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Benjamin Gibbas, Daniel Le Lorier and Sallie Snellings have been awarded for their outstanding academic achievements and high potential in their fields. 

GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. Each April, the foundation awards a select number of fellowships that provide five years of support, including a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 and additional funding for tuition and fees. 

Gibbas’ research focuses on creating engineered carbon chains that can capture, control and reuse substances that are otherwise harmful or difficult to manage. 

“Our group is attempting to create long carbon chains that are capped with platinum nodes,” he said. “We can then put multiples of these chains and platinum nodes together to form molecular polygons. These carbon chains and polygons can store and move charge, and we predict that some of these polygonic compounds can trap air pollutants and lanthanides.” Capturing lanthanides would help recover valuable metals from waste streams and reduce reliance on mining. 

Gibbas will use the fellowship to give his undivided attention to his research. It’s an honor that makes him even more motivated to pursue his field of study. 

While he’s originally from Aurora, Illinois, he decided to come to Texas A&M during his sophomore year at Kennesaw State University. 

“My organic chemistry professor took our class to listen to Distinguished Professor Dr. John Gladysz — my current advisor — present his research on molecules that turn themselves inside out,” he said. “At the end of the presentation, he handed out dozens of Texas A&M keyrings, which is the one I now use today.” Gladysz also holds the Dow Chair in Chemical Invention and heads The Gladysz Research Group. 

Gibbes also credits fellow graduate student A.J. Perez for getting him into the lab. 

“A.J. helped me hit the ground running when I started in the summer,” he said. “We bounced ideas off one another while I took an active role in helping with synthesis. While I was getting my area of the lab set up, I was running computations for him and then we'd get back together and discuss ideas on what to do next in our research.” 

Originally from Mandeville, Louisiana, Le Lorier studies polymer synthesis — the process of linking many small molecules together to create larger materials such as plastics, fabrics and rubber. “I chose to study polymer synthesis because I enjoy making molecules that will also have direct, real-world applications,” he said. 

Le Lorier came to Texas A&M because of its reputable Department of Chemistry and excellent faculty. “My mentor is Dr. Emily Pentzer, who has been a tremendous help in developing ideas for my project,” he said. Pentzer is the senior associate dean for research and Presidential Impact Fellow in the Department of Chemistry, and runs The Pentzer Group.  

He plans to use the fellowship to pursue his research without the constraints of project funding. 

“I am beyond excited to receive this fellowship, and I am grateful for the academic freedom that it will give me,” Le Lorier said. 

Snellings attended Louisiana Tech University for her undergraduate studies. She came to Texas A&M to work in the Gabbaï Lab , run by Distinguished Professor and Arthur E. Martell Chair of Chemistry Dr. François Gabbaï, to study synthetic organometallic chemistry with a specific focus on the role of Lewis acids in the coordination sphere of a transition metal. 

“Texas A&M has one of the best synthetic inorganic chemistry programs in the South,” she said. “I was drawn to both the department's historic contributions to science as well as the faculty expertise.” 

Snellings, originally from Monroe, Louisiana, expects the fellowship to allow her to optimize her training so she can reach her goals of advancing the field and mentoring future generations of scientists and professionals. 

Honorable mentions from the College of Arts and Sciences include Mason Moreau, Nadia Small, Molly Bickle and Kennedy Barnes, all from the Department of Chemistry; and Dawson Mooney from the Department of Geology and Geophysics.