Scholarship and Fellowship Awardees
Virginia Space Grant Consortium funds four scholarship and fellowship programs, the VSGC Graduate STEM Research Fellowship Program, the Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship, the Community College STEM Scholarship Program and the STEM Bridge Scholarship Program. Learn more about the programs below. Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship Program provides awards of up to $8,500 to rising juniors and seniors who are enrolled full-time in a program of study in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) and have a specific faculty-mentored research project that has NASA or aerospace relevance. Applied Health Sciences majors are not eligible for this program.
Graduate and undergraduate papers will be posted soon.
Graduate 2023-2024
Zakia Ahmed
Jarrod Banks
Jessica Besnier
Zaria Booth
Carter Boyd
Zakia Ahmed is a Ph.D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Model-based Wind Estimation to Enable Advanced Air Mobility Operations
Jarrod Banks is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Turbulence Ingestion Noise in Rotocraft
Jessica Besnier is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Environmental Engineering. Earth Observations Give Insight into the Correlation Between Drought and Food and Water Security
Zaria Booth is a Master’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Studying the Effects of Manipulated Magnetic Field Exposure on Germination and Plant Growth of Crop Seeds
Carter Boyd is a Master’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Geosciences. Quantifying the Size-distribution of Rivers Across Scales
Giovanna Camacho
Khari Crommarty
Joseph Cunningham
Andrianna Daniels
Julia DeFeo
Giovanna Camacho is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Systems Engineering. Evaluating Technology to Improve Tactile Navigation and Communication
Khari Crommarty is a Master’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Ocean and Earth Sciences. Mapping the Risk of High Chlorophyll and HAB Events in Chesapeake Bay: A Data Driven Approach
Joseph Cunningham is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Damage Sensing Enhancement in Polymer-Regolith-CNT Composites via Exposure to UV Radiation
Andrianna Daniels is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Creating a Detailed Model for Boron Nitride Deposition Mechanics
Julia Defeo is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Forestry. Effects of Prescribed Fire on Trait Diversity, Nutrient Allocation, and Ectomycorrhizal Community Diversity in Pinus Echinata Stands
Nicolas DeStefano
Lee Gill
Jeremy Hopwood
William Jefferies
Victor Kontpanos
Nicolas DeStefano is a Ph. D. candidate at William & Mary majoring in Physics. Imaging Relativistic Charged Particle Beams with Atomic Magnetometers
Lee Gill is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Electrical Engineering. Advanced Device Reliability Characterization Modeling and Analysis
Jeremy Hopwood is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Nonlinear Wind Estimation Using Large-Domain Flight Dynamic Models
William Jeffries is Ph. D. candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Physics. Researching Lutetium as a Trapped Ion Qubit
Victor Kontopanos is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. Modeling Galvanic Corrosion of Aerospace Fasteners and Plates Under Thin Electrolyte Film Conditions
Zhe-Yu Lin
Deryl Long
Caroline McCormick
Amanda Mitchell
William Miyahira
Zhe-Yu Lin is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Astronomy. Dust Settling and Polarization of Protoplanetary Disks
Deryl Long is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Astronomy. Build-A-World: Predicting Planet Assembly and Compostion with ALMA and JWST
Caroline McCormick is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Astronomy. Red Giant Branch Mixing and Nucleosynthesis in the Magellanic Clouds
Amanda Mitchell is a Master’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Chemistry. Probing Decomposition Pathways in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
William Miyahira is a Ph. D. candidate at William & Mary majoring in Physics. Microwave Atom Chip for Spin-Specific Atom Interferometry
Ramsey Ritter
Alison Ritz
Randal Shoemaker
Brielle Shope
Jordan Shroyer
Ramsey Ritter is a Ph. D. candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Chemistry. Energy Transfer Catalysis for the Synthesis of Novel Polymers
Alison Ritz is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Forestry. Identifying Individual Tree Crowns for Biomass Mapping Using 2021 NAIP Imagery in Virginia, USA
Randal Shoemaker is a Ph. D. candidate at William & Mary majoring in Computer Science. Intrinsic Mesh Simplification
Brielle Shope is a Ph.D candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Chemistry. Modeling the Origins of Complex Organic Molecules During Solar-type Star Formation
Jordan Shroyer is a Ph. D. student at the University of Virginia majoring in Astronomy. Probing Cosmic Inflation: Testing Novel High-sensitivity Detectors for Next-generation Surveys
Chandler Slater
Pádraigín Stack
Trevor Stalnaker
Connor Stephens
Zoie Telkamp
Chandler Slater is a Master’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Ocean and Earth Sciences. Maximizing Detection Range in Lidar Systems Through the Use of Gated Photomultiplier Tubes
Pádraigín Stack is a Ph. D. student at the University of Virginia majoring in Geosciences. Efficacy of Xenotime-based Rare Earth Phosphates as Environmental Barrier Coatings
Trevor Stalnaker is a Ph. D. candidate at William & Mary majoring is Computer Science. Software Bills of Material as a Solution in the Software Supply Chain
Connor Stephens is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. Oxidation Mechanisms of Refractory Transition Metals and Carbides at Ultra-High Temperatures in Molecular vs. Dissociated Oxygen
Zoie Telkamp is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Astronomy. COMPASS: Navigating the Origins of Life Through Protostellar Chemistry
Elizabeth Urig
Prescott Vayda
Rahim Zaman
Elizabeth Zengel
Heather Switzer
Elizabeth Urig is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Material Science and Engineering. Modeling A1-6061 Microstructural Evolution During Integrally Stiffened Cylinder Formation
Prescott Vayda is a Ph. D. candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Materials Science. Exploring Temperatures During the Cambrian Explosion Using Oxygen Isotopes of Phosphatic Small Shelly Fossils
Rahim Zaman is a Ph. D. candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. Design of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics for Oxidation Resistance
Elizabeth Zengel is a Ph. D. candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Chemistry. Analyzing High Energy Density Materials Using Computational Methods
Heather Switzer is a Ph. D. candidate at William & Mary majoring in Computer Science. Her research topic is Exploring the Benefits of Sketched Krylov Methods in PRIMME.
Undergraduate 2023-2024
Elizabeth Arthur
Jennifer Burdette
Emily Chang
Samuel Crowe
Dawn Ford
Elizabeth Arthur is a Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Biology. Exploring Diatoms as a Sustainable Silica Source on Mars
Jennifer Burdette is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Biochemistry. Assessing the Utility of Bobbitt’s Salt to Study Environmental Oxidation
Emily Chang is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Computer Science. A Methodology for Controlling Smart HVAC Systems in Planetary Environments
Samuel Crowe is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Astronomy-Physics. Near-Infrared Observations of Massive Protostellar Outflows
Dawn Ford is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Physics. Nanowire Heterostructure as a Bifunctional Water-Splitting Catalyst
William Kobos
Ryan Mann
Jacinda Pastoriza
Ramisa Rahman
Nathan Rand
William Kobos is a Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Physics. Diatom Frustules as Sustainable Nanostructured Silica Materials for Reusable High-Temperature Ceramic Heat Shields
Ryan Mann is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Chemical Engineering. Melt-Blended Ternary Polymer-Clay Composites for Additive Manufacturing
Jacinda Pastoriza is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Chemistry. Analyzing High Energy Density Materials Using Computational Methods
Ramisa Rahman is a Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Physics. Preliminary Faraday Rotation Results Associated with the Photoionized Gas of IC 1396
Nathan Rand is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Optimized Nozzle Contour Design Using CFD and Machine Learning
Christopher Schappi
Amelia Seabury
Morgan Small
Zachary Stroud
Lucy Waite
Christopher Schappi is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. A Novel Modular CubeSat Design Implementing Additively Manufactured Components
Amelia Seabury is a Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Chemistry. Multicolor Super-resolution Imaging of Non-materials Using Blinking-Based Multiplexing
Morgan Small is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. Characterization of Chromium Tantalate
Zachary Stroud is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Impact of Lean Direct Injection Geometric Parameters on Lean Blowout
Lucy Waite is Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech Majoring in Aerospace Engineering. High Temperature Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Inconel 718
William Wilkinson
Lili Zebluim
William Wilkinson is a Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Chemistry. Accelerated Photochemistry at Aerosol Interfaces
Lili Zebluim is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Biological Systems Engineering. Biosynthetic Yeast Utilized for Higher Yields of Agriculture on Mars Mission
STEM Bridge 2023-2024
Ruth Akpalu
Veronica Bate-Poxon
Vanessa Campbell
Alicia Carvalho
Margaret Cox
Ruth Akpalu is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Computer Engineering.
Veronica Bate-Poxon is a Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Mathematics.
Vanessa Campbell is Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Chemical Engineering.
Alicia Carvalho is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Margaret Cox is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Environmental Science.
Jada Cumberland
Khang Duong
Cassie Freedlander
Tess Golabek
Marvin Gomez
Jada Cumberland is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Cyber Operations.
Khang Duong is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Cassie Freedlander is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Tess Golabek is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
Marvin Gomez is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Civil Engineering.
Quianna Horton
R. Churchill Laryea
Jalaan Martin
Amy Menegay
David Morgan
Quianna Horton is a Bachelor’s candidate at Hampton University majoring in Biochemistry.
R. Churchill Laryea is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Cybersecurity.
Jalaan Martin is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Engineering.
Amy Menegay is Bachelor’s candidate at William & Mary majoring in Biology.
David Morgan is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Alexandra Oleski
Nicole Quiram
Surya Shanmugaselvam
Andrew Spencer
Jada Thomas
Alexandra Oleski is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in General Engineering.
Nicole Quiram is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Surya Shanmugaselvam is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Computer Science.
Andrew Spencer is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Computer Science.
Jada Thomas is a Bachelors candidate at Hampton University majoring in Mathematics.
Olivia Trotter
Jordan Vargas
Joshua Wager
Selah Wangler
Natalie Yee
Olivia Trotter is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in General Engineering.
Jordan Vargas is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Computer Engineering.
Joshua Wager is a Bachelor’s candidate at Old Dominion University majoring in Astrophysics.
Selah Wangler is a Bachelor’s candidate at Virginia Tech majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Natalie Yee is a Bachelor’s candidate at the University of Virginia majoring in Computer Science.
Community College 2023-2024
Moriah Bledsoe
Caroline Morris
Andrew Ospina
Jasmine Stolz
Moriah Bledsoe is an Associates candidate at Germanna Community College majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Caroline Morris is an Associates candidate at Virginia Peninsula Community College majoring in Science.
Andrew Ospina is and Associates candidate at Brightpoint Community College majoring in Information Systems.
Jasmine Stolz is an Associates candidate at Virginia Peninsula Community College majoring in Engineering.