This past year was excited and unexpected. During the Fall semester, I was at full force with coursework, taking more advanced aerospace classes, like structures and aerodynamics. I also began research in the High Fidelity Computation Multi-Physics Lab with Dr. Gaitonde, working on neural links in machine learning to explore potential time-saving advancements to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) testing. I served my first semester as President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Ohio State Student Chapter, where I successfully led a variety of events, from skill-building to networking to community building. I continued as the Technical Committee Lead for the OSU Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Ecuador school expansion project. With Buckeye Space Launch Initiative, I continued on the NASA Structures and Avionics teams, as well as worked towards completing my Level 1 Rocketry Certification.
In October, I was chosen to be an AIAA Diversity Scholar, where I was awarded a fully-funded scholarship to attend the ASCEND space industry conference in Las Vegas, NV. I was able to network with the brightest minds of the current aerospace community and attend lectures on a variety of topics, from international relations through the Artemis Accords to space suit development.
In the Fall, I was accepted into the competitive, rotational NASA Pathways Program and offered a position at NASA Armstrong Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert outside of Los Angeles, CA. I made the decision to postpone my graduation by taking the Spring 2023 semester off to work as a Pathways Co-op in the Controls and Dynamics Branch at Armstrong. I worked on the theoretical hybrid-electric Subsonic Single Aft Engine (SUSAN) aircraft. I interfaced components of the ground control station and verified test cases of various flight simulations to allow for airworthiness evaluation. I was able to experience so many great opportunities at NASA Armstrong, on a professional and personal level. It gave me exposure to many of the leading minds of the aerospace and aviation industries, such as test pilots, the Blue Angels, and more. I was also able to explore the Southern California region, visiting many national parks, shows, surfing, horseback riding, and more. I remained the President of OSU’s AIAA chapter virtually, planning and executing our largest event of the year, the Ohio State Aerospace Banquet.
Reflecting on the year as a whole, I have grown so much as a person and as a professional. I took a chance on moving to the opposite side of the country and saying ‘yes’ to all the opportunities I was given. It truly has made my Ohio State experience and the past year one of my best.