Grad student receives French Fellowship

August 15, 2013

STARKVILLE, Miss. — A Bagley College of Engineering graduate student has become the first Mississippi State student to earn a prestigious fellowship from the French Embassy.

Kristopher McKenzie is one of 40 from across the country to earn the 2014 Chateaubriand Fellowship. The only recipient from Mississippi and one of only 18 engineering students in the program, he will have the opportunity to work at a research lab in France.

Both Mississippi State University and Georgia Tech-Lorraine, the Peach State university’s satellite campus in France, will be supporting McKenzie’s trip and research.

This will be McKenzie’s first time to travel outside the United States and he is excited about the opportunity.

“I have always been very eager to experience life in other countries, but I have never had the opportunity. And I do not just mean visiting other countries, but actually living and working there,” McKenzie said. “Throughout my life I have tried to see things from different perspectives, and this will be a chance to do just that. I am sure it will be an enlightening experience and I am excited about that.”

McKenzie received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from MSU in 2011. He is currently working on a doctorate in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in material science.

The fellowship was brought to McKenzie’s attention by assistant professor Haitham El Kadiri, who has been his adviser in mechanical engineering since the fall of 2011.

“Kristopher is a very dedicated student,” El Kadiri said. “A student will not be able to succeed if they are not self motivated and study the depth of their research. He is a student who always goes the extra mile in his work. He is a perfectionist in his homework, exams and research.”

According to El Kadiri, this fellowship is mutually beneficial for American and French research interests.

“Having American students study in France enhances the engineering curriculum of America,” El Kadiri said. “This is an opportunity for students to enhance collaboration between France and the United States and to get a good blend between the two cultures.”

For more information on the Chateaubriand Fellowship visit www.chateaubriand-fellowship.org.

By: Emily McConnell