University of Illinois Physics graduate student Brian Farris has been awarded a three-year NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowhip (NESSF) to do research under the supervision of Professor Stuart Shapiro (PI) on "Merging Black Hole Binaries in Gaseous Environments: Simulations in Radiative, General-Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics." Brian is one of only 8 recipients nationwide out of a total to 73 applicants to win this award. The theoretical research that he and Shapiro will perform is relevant for the identification of detectable electromagnetic radiation that may accompany the gravitational wave emission generated when binary black holes merge in distant galaxies.