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Todd Whittaker, a Chemical and Biological EngineeringÌýPhD student in the Holewinski and Musgrave research groups,Ìýhas beenÌýawardedÌýthe , a prestigious fellowship forÌýcitizens of the "Quad countries" (USA, Japan, India and Australia). Whittaker, a citizen of Australia, wasÌýone ofÌý50 students selected as a 2024 Quad Fellow.Ìý The fellowship is administered by the , a global not-for-profit organization managingÌýprestigious scholarship and fellowship programs.

The Quad Fellowship aims to build connections among the next generation of scientists and technologists by fostering academic excellence and promotingÌýcross-cultural understanding.ÌýThe award will support Whittaker'sÌýresearch onÌýcatalytic phenomena in electrochemical devices such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries. With the expected rapid increaseÌýinÌýrenewable electricity, Whittaker's research aims to develop rigorous experimental and theoretical frameworks to understand what drives reactivity at electrochemical interfacesÌýand leverage those insightsÌýto design superior catalysts for a more sustainable future.

"I am extremely proud to represent Australia as a scientist at this scale," Whittaker said. "I come from a small town in rural Australia, where this career path is relatively uncommon. It excites me to know that my research, which is mostly directed at engineering renewable energy systems, will contribute to the long-term protection of vulnerable rural communities like mine."

Now in its second year, the Quad Fellowship supports exceptional master's and doctoral students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineeringÌýand mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Initially supporting students from the four Quad countries, the program has expanded this year to include students from various ASEAN countries.