Two Rossin College doctoral students—bioengineer Joshua Graham and mechanical engineer Brian Leard ’21—have been awarded fellowships through the Koerner Family Foundation (KFF).
KFF and its fellows program supports outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees in engineering, providing competitive fellowships to help advance their research and professional development as they prepare for the next stage of their careers. Each 2025-2026 fellow receives a $16,000 award.
Graham, who is advised by Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez, an assistant professor of bioengineering, conducts research in regenerative medicine using CRISPR gene-editing technologies. His work focuses on developing strategies to regenerate cartilage tissue, with the potential to improve treatments for joint injuries and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Graham’s objective is to engineer advanced drug delivery technologies for gene editing in stem cells. To achieve this, he is leveraging a multidisciplinary approach that combines CRISPR, computational biology, 3D bioprinting, and machine learning to design cell-instructive biomaterials.
A Villanova University graduate, Graham says he chose Lehigh for its strong bioengineering program and collaborative research environment. He expects to complete his PhD this summer.
“Being selected for this fellowship is incredibly meaningful as I prepare for the next step in my career,” Graham says. “It’s a reflection of the mentorship I’ve received at Lehigh and the collaborative environment that’s allowed me to grow as an independent researcher.”
As the first PhD student in the TGF Lab, Graham says the experience required adaptability and self-direction. He credits Lehigh’s interdisciplinary culture with helping him refine his research approach while learning from faculty across the university. He says the fellowship will provide support as he transitions to an industry role and begins applying his expertise beyond academia.
Leard, who is advised by Eugenio Schuster, a professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, is pursuing research in nuclear fusion—an emerging energy technology with the potential to provide reliable, carbon-free power. Leard earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Lehigh, along with a minor in energy. He says his interest in fusion was sparked by nuclear energy courses during his senior year. He expects to complete his PhD in Spring 2026.
Leard’s research contributes to advancing fusion as a practical alternative to fossil fuels. Nuclear fusion involves combining two atoms via a nuclear reaction, which converts mass to energy.
Discovering how to stably produce this reaction for long periods of time has the potential to deliver safe, dependable, fuel-efficient power that could be incorporated into a diverse electrical grid capable of meeting increasing energy demands without carbon emissions.
“Fusion has the potential to fundamentally change how we produce energy,” Leard says. “Receiving this fellowship is both an honor and an encouragement to continue pursuing research that can help move fusion closer to real-world implementation.”
Leard plans to continue working in the fusion or broader alternative energy sector after graduation. He says mentorship from Schuster has opened doors to key professional experiences, including time at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and General Atomics’ DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego. In a highly specialized and close-knit field, Leard says, those connections have been invaluable.
—Andrea Palladino ’26 is a student writer for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
