Anthony Sparkling, a graduate student in the Construction Management Program in the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction, was awarded a grant from the 2014 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The NSF GRFP recognizes outstanding graduate students who are studying NSF-supported disciplines and are pursuing research-based graduate degrees.
As a bestowed fellow, Sparkling will receive a stipend towards independent research or education, which funds three years of his work within a five-year time frame.
Sparkling has a unique background, as it was seven years ago when he began his undergraduate education at Eastern Michigan University. He is currently earning his Master’s degree at SPDC, and will be able to continue his education and earn his Ph.D. now that he received this NSF fellowship.
In order to be considered for the fellowship, Sparkling was required to craft a series of proposal writings explaining his research ideas and his personal story and aspirations. The research aspect was required to show intellectual merit, the potential to advance knowledge, and the ability to benefit society.
Sparkling’s research is centered on knowledge exchanges occurring within interdisciplinary project teams. Specifically, he is focusing on how they communicate, collaborate and perform, as well as how they work together to improve the overall productivity, sustainability and success of construction projects.
Sparkling considers himself to be a non-traditional student researcher with his return to the realm of higher education after having taken time off to focus on family life as a husband and father of two girls.
“Anthony’s NSF graduate fellowship award is a result of many different factors but mostly his professionalism, hard work, dedication and ability to receive and effectively channel guidance in his works. It has been a privilege to mentor him,” a SPDC construction management program assistant professor and Sparkling’s graduate adviser Sinem Mollaoglu (Korkmaz) said