Story adapted from an article originally shared through the Michigan State University Health & Risk Communication Center
Information & Media Ph.D. student Naadiyahtu Iddrisu and Department of Communication master's student Josh Weinzapfel are recipients of the 2024-2025 Sandi Smith Research Fellowship presented by the Health and Risk Communication (HRCC).
The Sandi Smith Research Fellowship was founded in 2017 to celebrate Dr. Smith's dedication to health and risk communication scholarship in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences. A prolific scholar and International Communication Association Fellow, Dr. Smith's passion for communication research, teaching and health communication has been an inspiration for students and faculty.
"I am deeply honored to receive the 2024-2025 Sandi Smith Research Fellowship," Iddrisu said. "This recognition not only supports my research in health and risk communication, but also connects me to the legacy of Dr. Sandi Smith, whose dedication to scholarship and mentorship has inspired generations of researchers. In continuing the legacy of Dr. Smith, I hope that through my scholarly work and teaching I will be an inspiration to many emerging teacher-scholars at MSU and beyond. I look forward to leveraging the knowledge I gained from the application process to apply for more grants to support my research. I am grateful for this opportunity and will continue to work hard to contribute meaningfully to the field."
"I am incredibly grateful to be selected as a Sandi Smith Fellow," Weinzapfel added. "Receiving this award is such an honor, and I'm truly humbled to have my work recognized. This opportunity means so much to me, and I'm excited to continue exploring how older adults engage with AI and adapt to new technologies. Thank you for believing in my research and in me. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the support from my amazing mentors, such as Dr. Brooke Wolfe, Dr. Erika Oh, Dr. Hyesun Choung, Dr. Amanda Cooper, Xiaoran Cui and Katie Coles. Another special thank you to all my friends and family who have pushed me on this journey. I don't look at this award as just mine but as a collective effort that everyone around me has helped me achieve."
By Miles Sloan