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.

This past year, I was able to truly enhance my experience at Ohio State and dive into my career. Fall semester, I took my first aerospace-specific class, where I was able to design my own airfoil and test it in our large wind tunnel in Bolz Hall! In the spring, I was selected as 1 of 18 students to take Ohio State President Johnson’s Pathways to Net Zero Emissions class, where I was able to develop a proposal using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and thin client computers to reduce electrical power emissions and window coating technology to reduce heat loss emissions. I found an average reduction in emissions of over 1000 tonnes per year, with a payback period of 8.5 years.

Outside of classes, I became the Technical Assessment Committee Lead for our chapter of Engineers Without Borders, where we started a new project in Carrera, Ecuador to expand a 500 household community school. I also served as the Social Chair for our chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and have now be elected as incoming President for 2022-23.

I joined the Buckeye Space Launch Initiative (BSLI) NASA SLI team, working on the Avionics and Structures sub teams. I assembled and programmed the electrical components for operation of flight systems and retrieving aerodynamic data. I also fabricate and construct the exterior of the rocket over 40 hours using fiberglass and epoxy resin. In the spring semester, became the Outreach Chair for BSLI, where I collaborated with 3 local schools and youth organizations to foster learning within the STEM fields through 3-session program with over 30 participants constructing model rockets to learn about design iteration process.

As the editor and chief for the Kappa Alpha Theta monthly Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion newsletter, I received the Innovation in Inclusion award from Ohio State. I also received my Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Certification from the Ohio State Multicultural Center.

By far the highlight of my Ohio State career so far is leading a team for the NASA Pathways to Blue Skies competition, which we began in October 2021. I led a team of 6 in developing airport design concept to support emerging climate-friendly technology, including vertical axis wind turbines, mass timber, dual axis solar panels, electrochromic glass, and GiPave. We delivered a technical paper, infographic, and video. We were selected as 1 of 8 finalist teams to present at NASA Langley Research Center, where we covered the commercial aviation outlook, design rationale, TRLs and affordability, and an implementation timeline. We utilized resources from OSU professors, our own OSU airport, the Columbus international airport (CMH), and the Battelle Center for Science, Policy, and Engineering. We placed second in the nation and were awarded a collaboration opportunity with Las Vegas Airport Strategic Planning Committee with upcoming presentation pitch for implementing sustainable technologies in the new international airport. Through this experience, I was able to network with many industry professionals and engage out of class with the aerospace industry.

This summer, I worked as a Systems Engineering Intern at GE Aviation in Dayton, OH on the Test Engineering team. I designed, pitched, and documented a test cell chiller cart project through technical drawings and BOMs. I also assisted large test cell project with plumbing, electrical testing, control box assembly & lab equipment, organized and ran 3D printing tasks, designed GUI in LabVIEW, and increased employee engagement. At the end of my rotation, I received the site-wide “Deliver with Focus” & “Lead with Humility” Impact Awards.

I am very excited for the upcoming year and what is to come! Go bucks!

This year was challenging and unexpected, yet rewarding. Amongst the global pandemic, I successfully completed my freshman year of college. Although unorthodox, I am grateful to have experienced many new activities, meet new people, and become acclimated to being a college student. I was able to take courses pertaining to my major, along with some unexpected general education courses, like anthropology and folklore.

This semester I applied to my Aerospace Engineering major through the Department of Engineering. In addition, I declared my Computer Science minor, and began working toward it. Next year I will be taking multiple major-specific classes, along with completing some of the final classes toward my minor. I hope to apply this coursework to potential summer internships in the coming year. I have been in contact with a few companies regarding these opportunities. Furthermore, I will be working on a few independent courses and coding projects over this summer in order to prepare.

I have been working towards furthering my involvement outside of the classroom as well. Last semester, I joined the Engineers Without Borders club to get involved with engineering projects in The Gambia, as well as to meet new people in the engineering college. I also joined the Society of Women Engineers, where I have made many connections with other female engineers at OSU. Here I was also exposed to various networking events and career resources. In partnership with the Engineering Department, I joined SKY Engineering, which is a meditation club focusing on wellness and meditative practices using the SKY methodology for engineering students. Lastly, this Spring I joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Through this I was able to become part of a community and connect with others amidst the pandemic. Within this sorority, I joined the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and have since become the co-editor and manager of the monthly newsletter.

This summer, along with independent programming coursework and projects, I plan on securing a research position at the university for the fall in one of the Aerospace Engineering labs. I also plan to continue to work a part-time job in Cincinnati at the UPS Store. In the future at OSU, I plan on studying abroad through an engineering specific program, in order to keep up with my coursework. I also plan on getting involved with mental health organizations in Columbus and on Ohio State’s campus. I would also love to potentially get involved with the Buckeye Space Launch Initiative in the coming semester.

I am very pleased with my experience at Ohio State this first year, and can’t wait for next year to be even better!