Tobias Misicko, a third-year Ph.D. candidate at Louisiana Tech University, has been granted the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research fellowship. This prestigious fellowship allows top doctoral students to collaborate with leading scientists from the DOE and work at top-tier national laboratories. Misicko will conduct part of his research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory under Dr. Xiao-Ying Yu's guidance to develop advanced materials, particularly ultra-thin layers of platinum, to facilitate clean hydrogen fuel production from methane with zero carbon emissions. During his time at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Misicko will receive training in operando Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, a technique that enables a detailed microscopic examination of catalysts. His objective is to enhance the understanding of material functionality and identify methods to enhance them, thereby making clean hydrogen energy more efficient and feasible for large-scale implementation. Dr. Yang Xiao, Misicko's doctoral advisor, praised Misicko's dedication, creativity, and scientific rigor, highlighting the significance of his fellowship selection in advancing catalysis for the energy transition. Misicko expressed his gratitude for the fellowship, describing it as a personal and professional milestone that validates his hard work and distinctiveness among his peers. He emphasized the opportunity to refine his skills at ORNL and his commitment to contribute to the field in various settings post-fellowship. The SCGSR program, operated by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to cultivate the next generation of science leaders by offering graduate students like Misicko the chance to engage in crucial research that aligns with the nation's energy requirements and scientific development.