The Extreme Biology Institute (EBI) announces two EBI-fellowships for FY2027. The fellowship application deadline for spring semester 2027 is December 18th 2026. 

Available fellowships FY2027

  • 1 PhD student fellowship
    • $11,000 covering partial salary of student + $2,000 in research supplies 
  • 1 Undergraduate student fellowship
    • $3,840 covering 12 hours per week for 1 semester at $20/hour 
The application should be coordinated between the student and (prospective) PI but written by the student. Use of generative AI is not allowed. Submission of proposal implies consent by PI. Additional proof of content is not needed.
 
Up to 3 pages on the scientific objectives and methods, including figures but not including references. Font 11, single space, 1-inch margins. Up to ½ page on the budget. For PhD students, the budget must explain the source of the balance for GTA/GRA stipend. Tuition cannot be covered. 
 
Topic must be relevant to the EBI mission, i.e. research must be conducted on biology in an “extreme” system. “Extreme” is defined as any condition considered out of the normal operational spectrum of humans and, by extension, most animal and plant life, including, but not limited to, very high or very low temperature, low water activity, low pH, presence of heavy metal or xenobiotics.
 
Ideally, the outcome of the research conducted under the EBI fellowship will contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific conferences, or will be used as preliminary data in grant proposals. It is expected that the EBI and VPR office, who provides funds to the EBI, will be acknowledged: "X was supported in part by the Extreme Biology Institute and Montana State University’s Vice President’s Office of Research, Economic Development, and Graduate Education."
 
Send your application as a single pdf file to the EBI director using the subject line ‘EBI fellowship’ by December 18th, 2026. 
  • Decision by January 8th, 2027
  • Use of funds by April 30th, 2027
 
Fellows are required to provide a 1-page summary (pdf) of outcomes to the EBI director (due May 7th, 2027) and present their research in an EBI seminar at the end of spring 2027.
 

Eligible labs

Labs that were affiliated with the TBI are now part of the EBI and are eligible. PI's whose labs (at least partially) work on "extreme" biology (see definition above) but are currently not affiliated should email (rolandhatzenpichler@gmail.com) by August 26th, 2026, to request affiliation and eligibility of their students for the FY2027 fellowships.

Fall 2027 EBI Fellows Info

Undergraduate Student Fellow: Jackson Schindler

Jackson's Photo

Jackson Schindler is a sophomore majoring in Microbiology. Upon graduating, he plans to attend graduate school to continue a career in research. Jackson is from Whitefish, Montana where he graduated from Whitefish High School. Jackson joined the Hatzenpichler lab in spring of 2026 where he has worked with the anaerobic culturing of thermoproteotal methanogens and Asgard archaea. His EBI project involves the isolation of a novel thermoproteotal methanogen Ca. Methanosuratincola verstraetei strain LCB70. Isolation of LCB70 will allow for more research into its novel metabolism.

 

Spring 2026 EBI Fellows Info

Graduate Student Fellow: Prince Asamoah

Prince Asamoah
My name is Prince Asamoah, a graduate student in the Lawrence Lab (Structural Virology lab). I am originally from Ghana, West Africa, and earned my BSc in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Ghana. During my undergraduate studies, I worked on a project aimed at detecting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in HIV patients on antiviral therapy and those not undergoing treatment. This experience strengthened my interest in virology and the desire to advance knowledge that addresses viral challenges.
After joining the Lawrence Lab, I became interested in archaeal viruses that infect hyperthermophilic archaea. Their ability to thrive in extreme environments makes them fascinating. This led to my current project: ‘Structural Characterization of SSV9 Viral Capsid and Tail, and Elucidation of its Infection Mechanism Using CryoEM’ which aims to determine how Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 9 (SSV9) attaches to host cells and releases its genome. Currently, little is known about this process, so my research will provide critical insights into SSV9 infection. Ultimately, this work contributes to understanding life in extreme environments, with implications for evolutionary biology and potential biotechnological applications.
For hobbies, I love listening to music, playing piano and currently developing an interest in hiking and skiing.

 

Undergraduate Student Fellow: Brooke Binando

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Brooke Binando is a senior pursuing a Microbiology Pre-Medicine degree at Montana State University. When she graduates, she plans to apply to medical school. Brooke is originally from Red Lodge, Montana, where she graduated from Red Lodge High School in 2022. She has additionally served as a Resident Advisor for three years, working in several different residence halls across campus. Brooke also serves as a non-voting member on the Bridgercare Board through the Boardroom Bobcat program.In spring 2025, she joined Dr. Mensur Dlakic’s lab, where she worked on synthesizing and testing inhibitors for cytolethal-distending toxins produced by various bacterial strains. In fall 2025, her focus shifted to a new project based on a research study published in August 2025, which identified numerous antimicrobial peptides originating from archaea. This current research centers around the ever-growing issue of antibiotic resistance. Building on this idea, she will explore whether small, unique peptides from Washburn Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake exhibit antimicrobial properties by expressing select candidates. She will then examine their activity against clinical and non-clinical strains with support from the Thermal Biology Institute Fellowship.