04/21/2026
Congratulations to AJ Nicholson, Ph.D. student in Cultural Anthropology (Medical) at SMU, on being named a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). Among the most competitive fellowships for graduate students nationwide, the NSF GRFP recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional potential as researchers, educators and leaders whose work addresses issues of national and societal importance.
AJ’s research examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming end-of-life care, with a particular focus on hospice settings. His scholarship explores how emerging AI tools are creating new ethical and moral dilemmas for patients, care providers, and families. This topic is especially timely as various states are beginning to pass legislation requiring disclosure of AI use in patient care. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, understanding its impact on care experiences is vital.
AJ credited a broad network of mentors and institutional support for his success. “I am grateful for the support of my advisor, Elyse Singer, Ph.D., and the faculty in the Department of Anthropology,” he said. “I also benefited from the guidance provided by Rachel Ball-Phillips, Ph.D. in the Moody School’s Fellowship Office.” AJ noted that participating in the NSF Writing Intensive prior to the fall semester helped demystify the application process and clarify what has contributed to successful proposals in the past.
He also highlighted the role of Juliana Antonio, Ph.D. candidate and former Moody graduate fellowship consultant, who assisted him in refining multiple drafts of his research and personal statements. Reflecting on the process, AJ offered advice to future applicants: “Start early and meet regularly with the Fellowship Office. This application requires many revisions over several months to build a coherent narrative, and beginning early greatly improves the final submission.”
The Moody School congratulates AJ on this national recognition. His selection for the NSF GRFP underscores the strength of graduate scholarship at SMU and the University’s commitment to research that thoughtfully engages complex societal challenges.
