Xiaobo “Max” Dong, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky, has been awarded the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement. Dong is advised by Chemical Engineering Professor Isabel Escobar.

The Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement is given to a graduate student pursuing a full-time master's degree or doctoral degree at a university or college conducting research in innovations for water treatment in membrane related research. 

Dong, an international student from China, is grateful for the support he has received throughout his college career. "As the first college student in my entire family, I never thought I could be admitted to a PhD program at the University of Kentucky. UK provided me with a wonderful opportunity to perform my research and pursue my degree," he continued. "I couldn't have won this national fellowship without all the resources and opportunities UK provided. For me, 'Kentucky Can' is not only a saying but also reality. Kentucky can build up an international student's horizon and help them to succeed." 

By virtue of receiving the fellowship, Dong will attend the 2019 Membrane Technology Conference and Exposition and present a poster on his research. The 2019 MTC will be held Feb. 25-28, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana.