Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) graduate Spencer Baldwin has been awarded a 2025 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP), one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for graduate research.
Baldwin, who graduated in May with a degree in Conservation Biology – Wildlife and Fisheries Management from the LMU College of Mathematics, Sciences and Health Professions, will pursue a master’s degree in plant pathology at Montana State University (MSU) beginning in August.
“Spencer has definitely proved himself to be a top-notch researcher and will only go on to do more,” said Dr. LaRoy Brandt, professor of conservation biology and director of the Cumberland Mountain Research Center. “The competition for these fellowships is steep and merits recognition.”
As an undergraduate, Baldwin developed a presence-only predictive model of Morchella diminutiva (diminutive morel) using the spatial program MaxEnt under the guidance of Dr. Barbara Shock, associate professor of biology and conservation biology. His research earned him the Appalachian College Association Ledford Scholarship in 2024, allowing him to travel from Mississippi to Maine to collect soil samples and test his model using eDNA methods. That research will continue as a collaboration between LMU and .
"Spencer developed an inter-disciplinary project involving spatial/mathematical modeling, field collection techniques, and molecular analysis in the lab,” said Shock. “His project is a reflection of the Conservation Biology program at LMU"
Baldwin presented his work at several scientific conferences, including the Tennessee Academy of Sciences, Tennessee Wildlife Society, and the Mycological Society of America. He earned multiple student research awards, including best student poster and oral presentation at the Tennessee Wildlife Society and Tennessee Academy of Sciences in 2024.
A student-athlete on LMU’s cross-country and track and field teams, Baldwin exemplifies the opportunities available to undergraduate researchers in the LMU College of Mathematics, Sciences and Health Professions.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
