Meet Wilson College’s Newest Recipients of the Provost’s Fellowship

By Mary Giuffrida

Every year the Wilson College of Textiles nominates a group of talented doctoral candidates as Provost’s Fellowship recipients. This prestigious fellowship, which comes in the form of a one-year stipend, supports students in bringing their unique talents to the Wilson College of Textiles. Meet the newest class of fellows starting and continuing their time at the Wilson College:

Hoorieeh Abbasi Mahmoodabadi

• Degree: Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science
• Hometown: Tehran, Iran

Where did you earn your previous degree/degrees?

In Tehran at Amirkabir University of Technology and Iran-Qazvin Kar Qazvin University.

What did you earn your previous degree/degrees in?

Textile Chemistry and Fiber Science Engineering

Why did you decide to pursue your Ph.D. at the Wilson College of Textiles?

I have been involved with textiles and polymer science for over 13 years and I’m always trying to boost my knowledge in this regard. I am really interested in open-ended projects and doing research, and I would like to be a faculty member in the future or work as a researcher in R&D at a private company.

Why did you choose the degree you wanted to pursue?

I really enjoy studying and researching in this field to boost my knowledge and help people and the environment through environment-friendly research.

What field of research will you be involved in?

Photodegradation of polypropylene and the effects of fiber orientation.

Jeanine Fry

• Degree: Ph.D. Textile Technology Management
• Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Where did you earn your previous degree/degrees?

Illinois State University

What did you earn your previous degree/degrees in?

Theater design and production with an emphasis on costume and a minor in apparel design and consumer science.

Why did you decide to pursue your Ph.D. at the Wilson College of Textiles?

After working in the ready-to-wear and custom apparel industry and seeing issues with current production methods, I wanted to research sustainable solutions. So I entered the M.S. Textiles program in the fall of 2020, and the Ph.D. program has presented the opportunity to go more in-depth into my research.

How will being a recipient of this scholarship impact your experience as a Ph.D. student?

Receiving this scholarship allowed me to continue pursuing my research. It is supportive and encouraging, and I am grateful for the acknowledgement.

What field of research will you be involved in?

Weaving

Chang Liu

• Degree: Ph.D. Textile Technology Management
• Hometown: Liaoning, China

Where did you earn your previous degree/degrees?

Donghua University in China and the Wilson College of Textiles

What did you earn your previous degree/degrees in?

Textile Engineering (Textiles design), Master of Textiles

Why did you decide to pursue your Ph.D. at the Wilson College of Textiles?

I think doing research about supply chain optimization with a sustainability focus is fun and meaningful.

How will being a recipient of this scholarship impact your experience as a Ph.D. student?

It will help take some of the stress out of my life so I can concentrate more on my research.

What field of research will you be involved in?

Supply chain management

Michele Schmidt

• Degree: Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science
• Hometown: Blumenau, Brazil

Where did you earn your previous degree/degrees?

In Brazil at the Federal University of Santa Catarina.

What did you earn your previous degree/degrees in?

Textile Engineering.

Why did you decide to pursue your Ph.D. at the Wilson College of Textiles?

Because Wilson College of Textiles is a well-established and widely-recognized textiles institute, it’s the number one reference in textiles in the world with a huge range of research.

Why did you choose the degree you wanted to pursue?

I chose my degree because fabrics fascinate me. There are so many possibilities to invent new things, and different applications. Also because of the importance of the textile industry in the economic and mainly environmental side. I feel motivated to contribute mainly to improve the sustainable side.

What field of research will you be involved in?

Modification and bioproduction of natural dyes for waterless dyeing applications.

Yiduo Yang

• Degree: Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science
• Hometown: Changsha, Hunan Province, China

Where did you earn your previous degree/degrees?

I earned my bachelor degree from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University in China and am currently in a master’s program at NC State University.

What did you earn your previous degree/degrees in?

A B.E. in fashion design and engineering, and an M.S. in textile engineering.

Why did you decide to pursue your Ph.D. at the Wilson College of Textiles?

Because the Wilson College is a leader in the textile community and a great place to receive well-rounded knowledge in this field, based on the experience I had in my master.

Why did you choose the degree you wanted to pursue?

I have grown to like exploring various facets of the textile and apparel industry. I found it interesting how researchers develop and play with different materials and structures to achieve diverse functions for real-life applications.

What field of research will you be involved in?

Smart textiles