Hope Chidziwisano, an Information and Media Ph.D. candidate in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University, is a recipient of the 2021 Google Ph.D. Fellowship.

He is the first person from MSU to win a Google Ph.D. Fellowship.

The fellowship, given to students who are recognized by Google researchers “as some of the most promising young academics in the world” offers financial support as they pursue their Ph.D. Additionally, the fellowship connects recipients to Google Research Mentors.

Chidziwisano was awarded the fellowship in the Human Computer Interaction category.

“I was thrilled to realize that the Google Ph.D. Fellowship results were out, and I was one of the awardees,” Chidziwisano said. “For the first time in my research career, I felt that my research is important, and its contributions matter.”

Chidziwisano’s research looks at designing sensor-based technologies, like smart watches and virtual assistants, and how they can be used in sub-Saharan African homes – making them more accessible and more applicable to the challenges that arise there.

For the full story, visit the College of Communication Arts and Sciences website: https://comartsci.msu.edu/about/newsroom/news/hope-chidziwisano-wins-2021-google-phd-fellowship