Cory Rupp Engineering grad awarded $121,500 fellowship Few students cross the graduation stage with much more than change in their pocket. As Cory Rupp, '04 ME, accepted his diploma in May, he also accepted a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship worth $121,500. The fellowship allows the Billings native to pursue both a master's and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder. "The best part of my years at MSU were my three years doing research in the Center for Biofilm Engineering," Rupp said. "I learned not only the mechanics of biofilms, which are colonies of bacteria, but how to do research, thus enhancing my engineering and scientific education." Rupp was part of a four-member team investigating the bacterial biofilms, which are the layers of microbial slime that form on almost all wet surfaces. This slime can be an industrial problem, as it can disrupt systems ranging from oil pipelines to municipal water supplies. Bacterial biofilms are thought to cause chronic infections including sinus and ear infections. "After high school, I wanted to go out of state, but I found that MSU's College of Engineering had the same education as out-of-state institutions -- if not a better education -- for a fraction of the cost," he said. "Eventually I want to return to MSU to teach because I can work at a great place in a great location."