University of Notre Dame Graduate School

06/18/2026

We all need some downtime sometimes. Take it from Finn.

Oh, to be a comfort K9 in a duck robe.

Finn has officially clocked out for his scheduled rest day, and honestly, the vibe is immaculate.

No petting. No photos. Just pure, unadulterated napping.

It is easy to forget that taking a break is a skill. Hard work requires real rest to match it. That is your cue to finally close the 47 open tabs on your laptop.

We will be out here patrolling the campus and keeping things quiet so you, and Finn, can get some peace.

06/17/2026

Did COVID permanently change how dads parent?

Many hoped that spending more time at home during the pandemic would lead to lasting changes in fatherhood and caregiving.

New research from Notre Dame anthropologist Lee Gettler and postdoctoral research associate Sarah Hoegler Dennis suggests the reality may be more complicated.

Read what the researchers discovered about fatherhood, work, and family life after the pandemic.

https://graduateschool.nd.edu/news/long-term-study-of-covid-lockdown-and-family-life-shows-unexpected-lasting-effects-on-fatherhood/

06/17/2026

Our last NSF GRFP Honorable Mention spotlight feature is Allison Portado, a graduate student from the ND Chemistry and Bioengineering Department! Allison's research focuses on improving the efficacy and longevity of electrochemical biosensors. These biosensors can measure changes in various molecules within a body, like glucose or oxygen, which then allows for much better tracking of the progression of disease (and other biological events). The NSF GRFP Award is highly selective, and being named an Honorable Mention is a prestigious recognition of the promise and potential impact Allison's research could make on her field!

Congratulations, Allison!

06/17/2026

A transformational $35 million gift will expand access to cutting-edge biomedical research tools for Notre Dame researchers supporting the work of graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty across disciplines.

Douglas and Diana Berthiaume have made a transformational gift to the University of Notre Dame to advance biomedical research through strategic investments in critical infrastructure. The gift, totaling $35 million, establishes the Center for Biomedical Discovery. It includes $5 million in seed fund...

06/16/2026

Our next Honorable Mention spotlight feature is Maggie Stephens, a University of Notre Dame graduate student in Chemical Engineering! Her research works towards creating unique membranes that can efficiently draw out particles of cobalt from a mixture of components. Cobalt is crucial for manufacturing batteries, computers, and other electronics. The NSF GRFP Award is highly selective, and being named an Honorable Mention is a prestigious recognition of the promise and potential impact Maggie's research could make on her field.

Congratulations, Maggie!

06/15/2026

Congratulations to the newest cohort of graduate fellows at the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good!

These outstanding doctoral students will spend the coming year exploring some of today's most important ethical questions through interdisciplinary research, public engagement, and collaboration across fields.

Read more about the fellows and their research:

The Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG) is proud to announce its new class of Graduate Fellows for the 2026–27 academic year. This group of emerging…

06/12/2026

Andrew Yeomans-Stephenson is another University of Notre Dame graduate student that has been named an Honorable Mention for the NSF GRFP Fellowship! As a student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Andrew's research uses computational methods to study nuclei that we know little about, since they're very difficult (or simply impossible) to study directly in a lab setting. The NSF GRFP Award is highly selective, and being named an Honorable Mention is a prestigious recognition of the promise and potential impact Andrew's research could make on his field.

Congratulations, Andrew!

06/11/2026

Ilya Sniff is one of the Honorable Mentions for the NSF GRFP Fellowship! As a ND graduate student in Aerospace Engineering, he is working on the energy potential of plasma actuation, which could improve travel both across the globe and through space. The NSF GRFP Award is highly selective, and being named an Honorable Mention is a prestigious recognition of the promise and potential impact Ilya's research could make on his field.

Congratulations, Ilya!

06/11/2026

Please join us in expressing heartfelt gratitude to Maureen Collins, Program Director of Academic Services for the Graduate School.

The photos shared here capture a special moment from this year's Graduate School Commencement Ceremony, when Maureen was recognized for the countless hours she has devoted to planning and coordinating commencement since 2007. This year's commencement was her final one as she looks ahead to a well-deserved retirement.

Maureen joined the University of Notre Dame in 2001 and has dedicated more than 27 years of service to the University, including 25 years with the Graduate School.

When she's not planning commencement, Maureen supports graduate students from matriculation to graduation—assisting with registration, helping navigate challenges, approving students for graduation, and providing guidance every step of the way.

Her dedication, care, and commitment have touched the lives of countless students and colleagues. We're grateful to have Maureen with us for a while before her retirement, but we wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank her.

Thank you, Maureen, for all you do!

06/10/2026

Our second NSF GRFP spotlight feature is Zach Toth, a Bioengineering graduate student entering his 2nd year at Notre Dame. His research is about how our bones respond to loading (essentially, the pressure and strain that occurs through physical activity) at a genetic level. This highly competitive NSF GRFP Fellowship recognizes him as an outstanding graduate student expected to make significant contributions to STEM knowledge.

Congratulations, Zach!