Incoming PhD student earns top National Science Foundation fellowship
Asa O'Neal has earned a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program award.Ìý
An incoming aerospace PhD student, O'Neal will be studying under Professor Iain Boyd in the Nonequilibrium Gas & Plasma Dynamics Laboratory.Ìý
The NSF GRFP awards recognize and support outstanding grad students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s or doctoral degree.
"My research will focus onÌýmodeling air-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) systems for spacecraft operating in very low Earth orbit (VLEO). This research will support the development of sustainable, long-duration VLEO missions by enabling in-situ propellant collection and reducing reliance on onboard fuel."
Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.