Kristin Kaster, who participated in the Computing Research Associations Distributed Mentor Project during the summers of 1998 and 1999, has received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to begin in the fall of 2001. The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science, mathematics and engineering and granted 903 new three-year Graduate Research Fellowships for the 2001-2002 academic year.

Kristin graduated with high distinction from the University of Minnesota, Morris in May of 2000 with a double major in Computer Science and French. She was active in UMMs student chapter of the ACM, holding the offices of vice-president and president. An active member of the campus, she also took photos for the paper, was elected computer science discipline representative, was a resident advisor in the residence halls, and participated in student government, radio, soccer club, and the UMM Women in Computer Science activities. In her first year of graduate studies at Georgia Tech, she has focused on research in the Learning Sciences and Technology area, working with Dr. Janet Kolodner. She enjoyed serving on the committee to chose participants for the CRA-DMP this year.

"When I started out as an undergrad, the switch to computer science was a pretty big one. I thought I would double major in elementary education and French, but I was drawn to the problem solving in computer science. I have to say, I really do like a concise proof. My initial reason for taking computer science was that it was required. I planned to just get it over with, but Im glad I tried it my freshman year so that it was possible to make the shift. I really want to work with people, especially kids, so Learning Sciences and Technology is quite appealing."

"I heard about the CRA-DMP from Dr. Dian Lopez, a professor at my undergraduate institution. My first summer, I worked with Dr. Jan Cuny at the University of Oregon and a group of her students. My second summer, I worked with Dr. Carla Ellis at Duke University. Without this initial exposure to graduate research and life at graduate school, I am sure I would not be in a Ph.D. program today. I like to think I am brave, but going to graduate school with absolutely no idea what to expect just wouldnt happen in my world."

Kristin plans to get married this summer, so be sure to look for future work from Kristin Kaster Lamberty.