May 1999 Astronaut-Scholar Meeting
The May 1999 Astronaut-Scholar Meeting will be the fourth annual get-together for Astronaut Scholars and astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs. It promises to be an exciting event for all who attend.
The program includes meetings for the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society, VIP tours of Kennedy Space Center and the U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the annual Astronaut-Scholar Meeting, social events including a barbecue and Sunday brunch, and plenty of time for scholars to meet and learn about each other. A great time will be had by all. We are extremely grateful to Howard Benedict and the astronauts for helping us make it happen each year!
Astronaut Scholars Honor Society
The Astronaut Scholars Honor Society (ASHS) is going strong. Many Astronaut Scholars have become quite active volunteers, helping to build a strong network of scientists and engineers. The scholars are responsible for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) web site on the Internet (see update later in this magazine). Scholars have also designed a logo for the group, which has been made into a commemorative lapel pin.
The lapel pins and award certificates will be presented to the Astronaut Scholars in attendance at the May 1999 Astronaut-Scholar Meeting and mailed to scholars who cannot attend. These mementos will become a standard part of the scholarship awards presented each year and will be given by astronauts to the scholars each year during the annual meeting.
May 1998 Astronaut-Scholar Meeting
The May 1998 Astronaut-Scholar meeting was the third annual event of its kind. Over twenty current and past recipients of the Astronaut Scholarship attended, with an opportunity to meet approximately ten astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs.
The event was unforgettable for all involved. We started with a VIP tour of Kennedy Space Center, which included visits with engineers working on the International Space Station and on the new launch control system. In addition, scholars got "up close and personal" with a space shuttle on the launch pad and visited the new Apollo-Saturn V Center. Scholars also received a VIP tour of the U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The next day was filled with meetings of the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society (ASHS), a chance for the scholars to get to know one another and to discuss business and happenings important to scholars and the ASHS. That evening, Astronaut Scholars met with the astronauts in a panel-style question and answer session on the future of commercial ventures in space. The session was very interesting, and there was time to mingle afterwards. On Saturday, the Astronaut Scholars were invited to lunch with ASF members at Give Kids the World Village, where we witnessed a crazy race featuring astronaut and and NASCAR drivers. The race was done to break ground for a race track which NASCAR built for the terminally-ill children who come to the Village to fulfill their wishes to visit Disney World.
Astronaut Scholars also had plenty of time to socialize with each other at a pool party / barbecue and at a Sunday brunch at the end of the weekend. They were treated to free tickets provided by the Walt Disney Company to be used during their free time.
Astronauts and Students Talk the Bottom-Line about Space Tourism
by Derek LangIn the past year, half a dozen private companies have advertised rides to space for the general public. Space tourism - for some it is a dream, while others would say, "only in your dreams." Several astronauts and student scholars gathered to decide for themselves. Held during the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Third Annual Astronaut Scholar Meeting in Orlando, the panel discussion was an opportunity for the astronauts to bring their past and current insights to the challenges and exciting opportunities in space for the general public. Participating astronauts included Alan Shepard (Mercury, Apollo), Jim Lovell (Gemini, Apollo), Charles "Pete" Conrad (Gemini, Apollo, Skylab), Scott Carpenter (Mercury), Walter Cunningham (Apollo), Richard Gordon (Gemini, Apollo), and Robert Crippen (Apollo, Space Shuttle).
As experienced travelers to space, what would the astronauts recommend seeing in space, asked Derek Lang, a student from the University of Washington. Crippen who piloted the Space Shuttle's maiden flight suggested the experience of weightlessness and seeing earth from orbit as possibilities. Lisa Beeson, President of the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society, wondered how one's view of life changes by going into space. Lovell responded that seeing the earth from the moon or from the edge of the galaxy, "you get a proper perspective on our existence, and it is very worthwhile." The astronauts had slightly different opinions on how a person would be impacted by seeing the earth. As one who has flown both around the earth and to the moon, Gordon summed it up that one has very different perspectives depending on whether one views the earth from earth orbit or the moon - just as one would likely have a change in attitude when eventually viewing the earth from Mars. Crippen remarked that "one thing you can get even from earth orbit is a sense of how thin the atmosphere is and that if we don't take care, we could lose our existence."
But what about all this interest in space tourism? Conrad began by emphasizing that there were a lot of people working on space tourism. He highlighted the Shimizu Corporation, a Japanese group that has spent several hundred million dollars on tourism studies and closed loop habitats in space and on the moon. He also noted the 1997 conference hosted in Germany devoted to the topic of space tourism. The spotlight, however, soon turned to the recent media hype about travel agencies and space ventures that offer customers the opportunity to be launched into space for tickets on the order of $35,000-$ 98,000. Cunningham, former astronaut and current venture capitalist, countered that while many groups are advertising rides to space, there has yet to be anyone that demonstrates "an ounce of reality." He was skeptical that the same $50,000-$100,000 price to climb Mount Everest could get someone to the moon. "And back!," added Shepard pointing out the seriousness of space travel, and that reliability and safety all play a role in the venture's realism and price tag. As a result, Cunningham felt it was a disservice when the fanfare get propagated in a manner that causes people to question the reality of the serious space tourism efforts. "But there are serious people involved," reminded Jim Lovell of the famous Apollo 13. He cited Burt Rutan, the designer of the non-stop round-the-world Voyager airplane, who was actively pursuing the $10 million X-prize competition.
This competition, sponsored by a non-profit space organization, seeks to foster economical and routine space transportation, and is analogized to the aviation competition that led to Charles Lindbergh's famous transatlantic flight.
The concern by all of the astronauts focused on the cost of space tourism as the measure of its practicality, and according to Cunningham, "right now it is unclear whether anyone can afford to do it." As a point of reference, Simon Gharibian, Syracuse University, asked the astronauts how much it costs to go to space today? Crippen, former director of Kennedy Space Center, cited a $500 million cost for a Space Shuttle launch. Cunningham agreed that space travel would eventually become more economical, but cautioned that "it will never be really cheap." He noted that each generation of launch vehicle developed. The concern by all of the astronauts focused on the cost of space tourism as the measure of its practicality, and according to Cunningham, "right now it is unclear whether anyone can afford to do it." As a point of reference, Simon Gharibian, Syracuse University, asked the astronauts how much it costs to go to space today? Crippen, former director of Kennedy Space Center, cited a $500 million cost for a Space Shuttle launch. Cunningham agreed that space travel would eventually become more economical, but cautioned that "it will never be really cheap." He noted that each generation of vehicle developed has targeted reducing costs by a factor or 10. Conrad made the illustration that current unmanned rockets for launching satellites cost about $10,000-$12,000 per pound of payload, but the Lockheed Martin VentureStar reusable vehicle is attempting to achieve $2,000 per pound.
David Smith of North Carolina State University questioned the basis for the claims and advertisements of these space tourism advocates in light of the formidable challenges ahead. The astronauts felt that there were some credible companies out there, but Conrad emphasized the need to change the way rockets are designed and built in order to reduce costs. He used as an example Kistler Aerospace, a company run by the former Apollo Mission Director which is predominantly using government contractors to build a reusable rocket. "They are not doing anything wrong," says Conrad, "but the problem comes in the interface between commercial and government ways of doing business." As an example, Boeing had 1,000 engineers working on the Delta 4 rocket design and development (not including subcontractors for the engines, avionics, etc.); whereas an effort like the DC-X reusable launch vehicle prototype development, modeled after commercial practices, had 70 people performing the same function. Conrad cynically referred to Columbus' motivation to explore was "to make a buck" and suggested that private industry competition would similarly pave the way for space exploration.
In the end, everyone was very enthusiastic about future prospects for the general public to travel in space and see space as the astronauts have. But there were guarded feelings that any venture to make space tourism a reality had to be embedded in the realism of the bottom line costs and technical challenges.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was established originally as the Mercury Seven Foundation in 1984 by the six surviving members of America's original Mercury Seven astronauts, Mrs. Betty Grissom, widow of the seventh, Virgil (Gus) Grissom, William Douglas, M. D., the Project Mercury flight surgeon, and Henri Landwirth, an Orlando businessman and friend of the astronauts. The foundation has since broadened the membership and changed the name to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Thirty-five former astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs are now members helping with the education effort. The purpose of the foundation is to strengthen the United States position in science and technology through educational initiatives. Specifically, the foundation raises money for scholarships for upper level college students and those pursuing masters or doctorates in the fields of science and engineering.
Heartfelt Words from a Three-Time Astronaut Scholar
Dear Howard:
This was my last year as an Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) scholarship recipient. I wanted wanted to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to you and the Foundation for all your support.
As you may be aware, graduate studies are generally driven by research grants in this era of academics. Unfortunately, the types of research and associated funding in the Aeronautics/Aerospace Department at our university have been relatively limited. I must admit that I was seriously concerned that I would find a research topic for my Ph.D. dissertation to which I could feel fully dedicated. In no small part, the ASF scholarship contributed to my financial flexibility, allowing me to select a topic regardless of the existing funding situation. In the end, I was able to select a topic in the area of space launch vehicles that I truly felt would be of immediate benefit to the space industry. As a result of your support, I am nearing the final phases of my dissertation work.
"But beyond the financial support you have provided, the experiences I have shared with you for these past three years will always be treasured. I have enjoyed meeting and interacting with all of you at the ASF Annual Meetings. I find myself in continual awe at not only the achievements of your individual pasts, but the continuing dedication you have to the next generation and the future of this country. Your involvement in the ASF, the U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and especially Give Kids the World demonstrates a love and caring that transcends earth and the frontiers of space, and really reaches the broader "human experience."
"Attached for your information, I have compiled some of the highlights of my past year [see article later in this magazine] while in the ASF scholarship program. While I will be unable to see you at this year's annual meeting due to prior commitments, I look forward to a continuing relationship with you all. Again, I wish to thank you all for your support."
Sincerely,
Derek Lang
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Washington
Trent Kingery
North Carolina State University Astronaut Scholar 1998-94
Background
I was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on August 13, 1972. At the age of 12, I moved to Forest City, North Carolina, graduating from Chase High School in 1990. Two months later, I went to Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating from boot camp in November of 1990 and completing the Marine Combat Training in 1991, I went to Memphis, Tennessee, for Aircraft Avionics Training. My next school was at Whidbey Island, Washington, where I learned troubleshooting techniques on the EA-6B Prowler jet. I was then permanently stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, with VMAQ- 2.
While at VMAQ-2 (Feb 1992-June 1995), I moved through the ranks from Lance Corporal to the rank of Sergeant. The qualifications that I obtained while in the "Fleet" only increased my love for aviation. I was the night shift supervisor and Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) for the Communication, Navigation, and Radar Systems Shop. I strongly believed that individual versatility would increase the squadrons readiness, so I cross-trained as a Power Plants Mechanic, Plane Captain, and Low-Power Turn Qualified. While in the "Fleet," I went to places around the world like Okinawa, Japan (three times), Iwakuni, Japan (twice), Kunsan, Korea (once), and Yuma, Arizona (twice). In addition, I deployed to Nellis AFB, Fallon AFB, NAS Point Mugu, and Grumman Aerospace in Calverton, New York. I attended Southern Illinois University while off duty and completed the major course requirements for a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Management in September of '94.
In June of '95, I was selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program (MECEP) at North Carolina State University with a flight contract. While at North Carolina State University, I was the Battalion Sergeant Major for the NROTCU, the NROTCU's Drill Advisor, and the President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Academically, I was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society. In May, 1999, I will graduate from North Carolina State University with a BS in Aerospace Engineering with Summa Cum Laude Honors.
In December of 1991, I married my high school sweetheart, Tricia Oglesby. We have two children: a son Zane, who is six, and a daughter Brianna, who is two. They are my motivation and the light of my life.
Experience
The academic challenges of the Aerospace Engineering curriculum at North Carolina State University have given me a means to be a proficient engineer and eventually a skilled Marine Corps pilot. My primary emphasis in Aerospace Engineering is the Control and Stability of aircraft and missiles. In my junior year, I was a member on the NC State University Micro-Gravity Team. The team was allowed an opportunity to conduct an experiment onboard the NASA KC-135 that is commonly called the "Vomit Comet."
Approximately six months prior to the flights, the team members and the faculty advisor met several times to propose a legitimate Aerospace experiment. The experiment that was chosen was the "Flow Control Actuator" in which a platform oscillated at a specific amplitude and frequency to produce specific flow characteristics. The team designed and built the test experiment with the funding of the North Carolina Space Grant Consortium. My job was to use dynamics and differential equations to produce the motion of the platform in order to size the motor and spring constants for the apparatus. After the experiment was designed, the team built the apparatus. During the first week at Johnson Space Center, we undertook training for the infamous "Vomit Comet." The experiment flew on the KC-135 on March 26, 1998, and was considered a success. Several weeks later, I worked on another experiment for the North Carolina Space Grant Consortium.
During the summer of 1998, I worked on converting a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) into a research project for pulse jet blowing. The wings were torn off so that the jet ports could be inserted into the wings. When flying, the pulse jets would create an increase in circulation around the wing so that separation could be delayed. Although this project was not finished by the end of the summer, a graduate student recognized the intensity and importance of the project and took over the research for his Master's Thesis. The reason for ending this project was to work on the Senior Design project which would design, build, and fly a turbo-jet powered aircraft.
The Senior Design Course required me to conduct the stability and controls analysis for the turbo-jet powered aircraft. This required me to build a MATLAB Simulation, size the control surfaces, build a yaw damper control system, and build the servo actuator system. While creating the MATLAB Simulation, I realized that MATLAB had a special function that could build Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). Since then, I have incorporated most of my analysis with GUIs and have also submitted a specially designed GUI that analyzes the stability and controllability of subsonic and supersonic aircraft to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
During my senior year, I was the President of the NC State Chapter of the AIAA. I made contacts with professionals from aerospace industries, NASA, and other universities. I oversaw the budget, scheduling of lecturers, and scheduling of trips. Leading an organization that is composed of university students is very different from leading a platoon of Marines, an invaluable experience which helped me to formulate different leadership techniques.
Being chosen as an Astronaut Scholar, which will provide the opportunity to establish a relationship with former and current astronauts, is an honor that I am grateful to have experienced. Because my career path includes military flying, I know that my longterm goal is to become an Astronaut. As an Astronaut Scholar, the ASF has been instrumental in preparing me to meet the goals I have set for myself.
Joseph Napoli
Washington University Astronaut Scholar 1996-97 and 1997-98
Joe Napoli provided an update last summer. He completed the coursework and qualifying exams for a Doctor of Science degree at Washington University early in 1998. He then spent one month in Australia visiting his girlfriend who was studying abroad for the semester. Australia was a welcome vacation from the usual cycle of school and summer jobs (Joe reports that he had been at it since he was thirteen years old). While in Australia, Joe extended his list of water activities to surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
At the time of his letter, Joe was in Chicago and planning to return to Washington University shortly to continue research under a Department of Energy Integrated Manufacturing Fellowship. Water seems to be a dominant theme in his life; Joe's research is aimed at the control of underwater robotic vehicles.
He thanks the ASF for the support over two years of scholarship awards.
Sarah Karpanty
Miami University Astronaut Scholar 1997-98
Sarah Karpanty received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Miami University in May 1998. As of last summer, she planned to begin a Ph. D. program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at SUNYStony Brook last fall. Her first three years of study and research will be supported by the National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship. She was one of only 770 people to receive this prestigious award out of 5,000 applicants. After the first three years, she will be supported by a university Graduate Student Fellowship. Her long-term goal is to combine teaching and research into a leadership position in a conservation organization, such as the National Audubon Society or the Nature Conservancy.
For her dissertation work, Sarah will continue work on lemur predation which she began last fall in Madagascar. During her first field season, she not only achieved all of her research objectives, but also managed to travel to most of the major regions on the island nation. "After sweating out 4 months in 110F + conditions at Berenty Reserve in the south, visits to the eastern and northern rain forests were a welcome relief." Holding over half of the world's species of chameleons, 32 species of lemurs, and countless other flora and fauna, Madagascar is an amazing island. Sarah reports that she has yet to find or imagine a better place to perform research.
During the summer of 1998, Sarah planned to work at Miami University as a teaching assistant for the summer session of Ornithology and finish papers from her Madagascar Project. Later in the summer, she planned to hike the Maine portion of the Appalachian Trail with several friends.
Derek Lang
University of Washington Astronaut Scholar 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-94
How many different references and jokes can one get about being a "rocket scientist?" Well, Derek Lang seems to have gotten quite a few of them from friends and acquaintances alike this past year. Kidding aside, Derek officially became a Ph. D. Candidate at the University of Washington after his General Examination last summer. His dissertation topic, "Wake Closure Conditions in Plug Nozzle Flowfields," is an aerodynamic study of an upcoming rocket engine. He finished building his own wind tunnel to analyze the fluid mechanics behind this engine that will allow engineers to improve engine performance and mission design and is in the process of running experiments to simulate different configurations of the engine at various altitudes. In preparation for his examination, he presented the topic to Boeing North Americans Rocketdyne Division which is building a full-scale engine for NASA's X-33 single-stage-to-orbit rocket. While there, he saw an actual plug nozzle engine built and tested in the 1960's (old rocket engines never die, they just get shelved till the next funding cycle!).
Outside of his dissertation work, Derek spent time working on the Sea Launch program - an international venture to launch a rocket from the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Derek's projects were writing operational procedures and software for range support, including weather, tracking, and telemetry. Walking alongside a Russian/ Ukrainian Zenit-3SL, he was tempted to "kick the tires" to make sure everything was okay. One highlight was watching the rocket being erected into launch position at the dock in Long Beach, California. The citizens of Los Angeles must have been surprised when they saw the rocket lifting as they sat in the middle of those infamous traffic jams!
Derek also attended the Federal Aviation Administration's Commercial Space Transportation Forecasting Conference held in Washington, D. C. While there, he listened to Astronauts (and ASF members) Pete Conrad and Buzz Aldrin discuss the "Human Role in Space." It was a pleasant reminder of the Question & Answer session at last year's Astronaut - Scholar Meeting on the same topic.
For fun, Derek explored the lakes and rivers of Washington State for the best fishing hole. While most fish were safe from Derek's deadly fishing pole, a few succumbed to his tempting lures. Bobbing around in his float tube in the middle of lakes, he hoped none were too fierce or big to attack him. He also picked up fly-fishing and intends to continue this year. On-lookers are cautioned not to stand too closely as he casts his fly and hook!
This is Derek's last of three years as a scholarship recipient. He hopes to defend his dissertation by the end of summer and then find a job in a commercial rocket company. Though tempted to return immediately to academia as a university professor, Derek feels that he needs to gain more experience actually launching rockets and bring that experience back to the classroom.
Heidi Kenerson
Tufts University Astronaut Scholar 1996-97
Heidi graduated from Tufts in May of 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. During her last quarter, she was involved in a graduate occupational therapy class called Assistive Technologies. It was a seminar style class with a semester long project. The intention of the class was to bring engineers and occupational therapist (OT) students together to create assistive technologies for handicapped and disabled people. Heidi worked with two OT students and made a communication device for a 2 year old boy with Down Syndrome. Heidi says, "I really enjoyed this project because I was able to see the device used by the child. The purpose of the device was to allow the child to communicate verbally since he had not yet developed the appropriate skills."
Heidi also completed a senior design project. The aim of this project was to take an existing device and Eye Blink Recorder (used for a Visual Fatigue Study) and make the device more compact, require less power, and improve the overall design. The Eye Blink Recorder would sense a blink, count the blinks per minute, store the information, and then download the data into a computer program.
Upon graduation, Heidi spent the summer in Colorado. Then, she moved to Boston and worked at Digital Equipment Corporation as a hardware engineer. She worked with qualification on clusters of servers. In her free time, Heidi also worked at a veterinary hospital on Saturdays. Then in August, she moved to Seattle and began a master's degree program in Bioengineering at the University of Washington. She has been doing some cancer research while taking a full course load thus far, and plans to look into molecular biotechnology.
Whit Myers
Harvey Mudd College Astronaut Scholar 1997-98 and 1998-94
Whittier Myers is completing his senior year at Harvey Mudd College. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in physics this spring. He has continued to work on Harvey Mudd Colleges interdisciplinary project to apply optical coherence microscopy to create three dimensional images of developing plants and animals. Last fall, he received the Louise and Graydon Bell Prize from the physics department for his research on noise reduction in optical coherence microscopy. This is Harvey Mudd's award for student research.
Whit plans to attend graduate school in low-energy experimental physics; he is currently choosing between Harvard, M.I.T., Stanford, and Berkeley. In addition to academics and research, he leads supplementary problem solving sessions as part of Harvey Mudd's Academic Excellence program. His hobbies include composing MIDI music, cooking, and watching Japanese animation.
John O'Quinn
North Carolina State University Astronaut Scholar 1995-96
Issues of technological advancement and development have implications beyond the scientific community and are increasingly attracting legal attention. One Astronaut Scholar alumnus, John O'Quinn, has decided to examine these issues from the "other" side. John began law school at Harvard University this fall and has enjoyed the transition from chemical engineering to law. While at Harvard, he intends to focus on intellectual property and patent law, as well as environmental law. The first-year curriculum has consisted of fundamental legal courses in property, contracts and torts - quite a change from the kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomenon he was studying a year ago at MIT.
John completed his M. S. in chemical engineering from MIT this summer. As part of the degree, he had the opportunity to work in research for both Bayer Corporation in Germany and the Dow Chemical Company in Texas. The highlight of his summer in Texas was visiting the Houston Space Center for the first time! You can see him enjoying his visit in the photo near this article. This summer John will be working in the intellectual property group of Kirkland & Ellis, a law firm in New York City.
Preston Bates
Georgia Institute of Technology Astronaut Scholar 1986-87
Preston Bates, astronaut scholar 1986, is an engineer specialist at Lockheed-Martin Corporation working on the nation's newest air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor. He serves as the airframe fatigue test coordinator and has been busily preparing for test start at the end of this year. The fatigue test is planned to last two years, simulating twenty years of anticipated flying of the fighter jet. The purpose of the test is to verify the design fatigue life of the aircraft structure, which consists of composite and metallic materials, and uncover any deficiencies that might exist.
As coordinator, Preston must define test requirements, determine what the test article looks like, fabricate any special test hardware, and develop the spectrum of fatigue test loads to represent the aircraft usage. This requires a broad background in a variety of structural disciplines.
Travis Terry
University of Central Florida Astronaut Scholar 1995-96
Travis Terry graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Master's degree in Computer Science in May 1998.
As a student at UCF, Travis was a member of the computer programming team. UCF's teams compete against programming teams from around the world in an annual computer programming competition. After competing for two years, and placing 6th and 28th internationally, Travis remained active with the programming teams as a coach. Each fall, he and other previous team members help new teams prepare for competition by generating practice problems and lecturing on programming topics. Thanks to the help of the coaches, UCF consistently places among the top schools in the world.
Travis is currently working as a software engineer for LaserSight Technologies, Inc. LaserSight is based in Orlando, Florida and designs and manufactures laser systems for refractive eye surgery. LaserSight is a market leader in refractive eye surgery internationally, and is currently working toward FDA approval to distribute its laser systems in the United States. Travis is one of a small group of software engineers responsible for the development and maintenance of all software for the laser system in accordance with strict FDA guidelines. This software controls the entire process of corneal surgery from interfacing with the surgeon to controlling the exact dosage of laser energy.
In addition to his responsibilities with existing laser system software, Travis also leads a research project to develop new applications for LaserSight's surgical technology. One of the exciting new uses of lasers in refractive eye surgery will be to create a customized treatment for each individual patient's cornea. Current techniques must make certain assumptions about the shape of the cornea prior to surgery, but new technologies will allow the laser system to obtain an accurate topographical map of the cornea to increase the effectiveness of the surgical procedure for patients with irregular corneas.
John Shaw
Pennsylvania State University Astronaut Scholar 1987-88 and 1988-89
John and his wife Julia were blessed with the addition of another budding engineer in their house during 1998. Sarah Christine Shaw (8 lb. 9 oz. and 21 inches long) joined 3 year-old brother Daniel ("how does that work") Benton on November 20, 1998.
Much less importantly (according to John), in the past year John's law practice continued to develop in technology related fields: patent and trade secret litigation, corporate litigation, and software and technology licensing. John also reports that he enjoys reading about the spring Astronaut-Scholar meetings and that he is envious of the former Scholars who are fortunate enough to attend. He hopes to join the group in Florida sometime soon, as his children grow older and more capable of making the trip.
The Experience of Weightlessness
by Trent KingeryDuring the fall and spring semesters of 1997 and 1998, four team members from North Carolina State University and a newspaper journalist prepared to take the ride of a lifetime. They conducted "Fluid Flow Control" experiments on NASA's KC-135 aircraft nicknamed the "Vomit Comet." I was the considered the group leader since I was the oldest at 25 years. The experiment that was conducted was to qualitatively see the effects of a flow control actuator in a micro-gravity environment. This type of actuator could be used on the International Space Station as a means of mixing fluids, control of thrust vectoring jets, or several other flow control means. This experiment was in conjunction with flow control experiments at NASA Langley. The experiment was considered a success because a very noticeable difference in fluid motion was recorded when the actuator was oscillating in 2-g, 1-g, and 0-g environments. This year's micro-gravity team will modify the experiment slightly and gather quantitative data rather t
The flight was a once in a life time experience. Since a goal of mine is to become an astronaut, I wanted to see if I had the actual interest to be in unusual physical situations like "zero gravity." I loved it! There is no other feeling like it. Some people say that it is like scuba diving. The orientation is similar, but the gut wrenching (kind of tingling) feeling of every cell in your body having no weight is very different (I am an Advanced PADI Diver). The downside of the story is the 70 seconds of 2-g. This maneuver, on the other hand, is what makes you feel sick. I was pretty much a "Vomit-free man" until the 36th parabola when it all came up. What a relief this was, because I felt so much better on the 37th parabola, and I enjoyed last 5 parabolas. My advice to anyone who is planning on experiencing this continuous roller coaster ride is to try not to hold back the sickness. Many people on the flight were sick, so I just say, "Let it come up and enjoy the rest of the ride!!!" My other partner beca
The feeling of going weightless will always be with me. I can still taste, smell, and feel the air when that first second of zero-gravity was felt. As a San Francisco reporter put it, "It is a Sensory Overload!" After getting our data, we played and gave interviews to NASA TV. Some people took toys with them; others like us messed with pens and water. It was very interesting to toss a pen from the front of the cabin to the rear with a flick of a finger, and to see water drops perform their spherical dances in space. What can I say, other than I would love to do this everyday. Maybe next year's ASF meeting could be on the "Vomit Comet."
Timothy Rood
University of Colorado Astronaut Scholar 1997-98 and 1998-94
Timothy Rood, an aerospace engineering student at the University of Colorado in Boulder, lives a busy, yet fulfilling, life. Tim is in his fifth year of studies and should complete all the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in computer science at the end of the Spring 1999 semester. He is a conscientious student and is at the top of his aerospace class.
Regarding non-academic activities at the University of Colorado, Tim is an active member of the aerospace honor society known as Sigma Gamma Tau. Outside of school, Tim works 20 hours a week at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). At LASP, an institution associated with the University of Colorado, he writes and updates computer programs which transfer, store, and distribute data from the SOLar STellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) on the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS). He has been working on the SOLSTICE project since April 1996.
When Tim is not busy at school or work, you will often find him participating in church activities. Tim is an active member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Boulder. A few of his church related roles are: coordinator for young adult activities, church business committee member, and usher. Tim also plays drum set for the church praise band and is a member of the church choir.
The most notable and festive event in Tim's life in the last year was marrying his long-time girlfriend Kelly Ketterman. Tim and Kelly were united in marriage forever on August 9, 1998 in Boulder. Since that time, they have lived in Longmont, Colorado where they hope to stay until Tim gets a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering. Tim is hopeful that he will move through graduate school quickly and earn his masters at the end of the Fall 2000 academic semester.
Matt Tripi
Pennsylvania State University Astronaut Scholar 1996-97 and 1997-98
Matt Tripi is the only Astronaut Scholar to date who has a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering. He earned his degree in 1998, with a Structural Design Option. Matt reports that his work was really interesting last summer. He spent most of it hanging off the side of the 40-story Prudential building in Chicago: "Quite an eye opener." He was inspecting the limestone facade which is deteriorating with age. "Not a pretty site, or job for that matter."
Matt has been spending a lot of time computer programming in Visual Basic & AutoCAD combined applications. As of last fall, Matt was planning to study high performance structures, which are structures that change structure based on applied load, primarily by changing connection stiffness. These can also be structures which use composite materials. Although these materials have been used quite extensively in high technology applications, they are relatively new in building construction.
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Web Site
Many additions and upgrades have been made to the ASF Internet Web Site. Following is a summary of those improvements which have either been implemented or will be in the very near future. All of the work to create, edit, and maintain the ASF web site is now being donated by Astronaut Scholar volunteers. The quality and extent of information has improved greatly due to the efforts of Larry Bradley and Tony DeLia, with assistance from Travis Terry and Brian Mathason.
Alan Shepard Tribute
A Fond Farewell to Alan Shepard has been added, using written tributes from Howard Benedict and several Astronaut Scholars, including Lisa Beeson, Tony DeLia, Derek Lang, Larry Bradley, Mary Lyn Rivamonte, Brian Mathason, and Kathy Shellenberger.
Image Archive
Many, many images from Alan Shepard's childhood to walking on the moon and more.....
Audio
NASA Memorial Service (real audio), featuring Dr. Christopher Kraft, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra, Gordon Cooper, Edgar Mitchell, James Lovell, Astronaut Scholar Lisa Beeson, and NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin.
Audio also included: Alan Shepard's comments on being selected for his first flight and audio from his Freedom 7 mission and Reflections on his passing from President Clinton, John Glenn, and James A. Lovell.
Video
A look back at Alan Shepard's life.
Additional Text
NASA Press Release, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin, NASA Memorial Service, CNN News, AP News, Reuters News
Godspeed, John Glenn!
A link has been added to our web site which allows visitors to access comprehensive info about John Glenn's shuttle mission in October 1998.
Astronaut Speakers Bureau
Some cosmetic changes have been made to the tables and images in the Astronaut Speakers' Bureau area of the web site. Easier navigation has been added, along with a master index of all participating astronauts.
Astronaut Scholars
The Astronaut Scholars page has been updated to include the scholars and schools which were added for the 1998-94 academic year. Easier navigation has been added together with some cosmetic changes. Names of Astronaut Scholars may now be viewed by school and by year(s) of the scholarship awards.
"Astronaut Scholars" Magazine
This "Astronaut Scholars" magazine is now introduced with a general introduction, and the entire text of the most current edition is included on-line at the web site.
Annual Astronaut-Scholar Meeting
General information is provided, along with the scholars' invitation. The invitation is password-protected so that only Astronaut Scholars can access it. Photos from each of the annual meetings are included.
Related/ General Interest Links
Maintenance is ongoing to ensure that old and outdated links to other web sites are eliminated in a timely manner.
Astronaut Scholar Accomplishments
Larry Bradley is in the process of compiling information about Astronaut Scholar accomplishments, such as degrees earned, papers published, and other notable achievements. As of April 16, 1999, he had contacted 22 of the 106 Astronaut Scholars (just over 20%), and following are the impressive results:
Degrees earned:
BS/BA: 20
MS/MA: 9
Ph.D.: 3
M.D.: 1
J.D.: 1
Ph.D. (expected): 4
J.D. (expected): 1
Publications:
Published Papers / Conference Proceedings: 69
Conference Talks / Posters: 34
Technical Research Reports: 6
Book Chapters: 1
Papers in Progress: 12
Patents:
Patents Awarded: 1
Patent Disclosures Submitted: 4
Joel Odom
Gerogia Institute of Technology Astronaut Scholar 1996-97
Joel Odom is an Astronaut Scholar from Georgia Tech who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1997. He has a patent pending for a "Temperature Controlled Pet Dish." Most notably, Joel has founded an Engineering Consulting firm, called Juggernautics, LLC. The web site is www.juggernautics.com. They specialize in Computers, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.
Wendy Morlang
Syracuse University Astronaut Scholar 1996-97
Wendy Morlang completed a Chemical Engineering Bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in May 1997. She is now a Project Engineer at Eastman Kodak Company and a New York State Certified Engineer-in- Training.
Lisa Beeson
Georgia Institute of Technology Astronaut Scholar 1987-88, 1988-89, and 1989-90
The past year has brought tremendous change and opportunity to Lisa Beeson's life. As an active member of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors, she was asked to speak at Alan Shepard's Memorial Service at Johnson Space Center and at National Space Day at the U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The memorial service was a sad but unforgettable experience where she was able to express her gratitude for everything that Alan had done throughout the last years of his life for Astronaut Scholars across the United States. Lisa has also been busy coordinating scholar activities for the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society. "It is so rewarding to see the impact that the Astronaut Scholarship makes in the lives of the scholars, that I am eager to devote whatever time I can spare to furthering the cause of the Foundation."
Lisa accepted a new job this year. After nine years of employment with Westinghouse Power Generation, she decided to leave her position as the Manager of Gas Turbine Integration, Auxiliaries, and Boilers after Westinghouse merged with Siemens KWU to form Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation. She has joined Control Center, Incorporated as the Senior Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing. Control Center is located near downtown Orlando and is a major supplier of mechanical equipment to the power generation and other industries. In fact, Control Center was one of Lisa's groups largest suppliers at Westinghouse.
Her new position is very exciting, as she has responsibility for Engineering Design, Project Management, Manufacturing, Application Engineering, Quality and Purchasing for the company. They manufacture auxiliary equipment for power plants, including fuel systems, emissions control, flow metering, power augmentation, and instrumentation and control panels.
Outside of work and volunteering with ASF, Lisa enjoys home improvement projects. She is currently having a swimming pool constructed at her house with the appearance of a natural lagoon and beach area.
Emily Eelkema
University of Minnesota Astronaut Scholar 1998-94
Emily recently wrote the following in a letter to Howard Benedict:
Thank you for selecting me as an Astronaut Scholarship recipient. I consider it a great honor to be chosen for such a prestigious award.
Since being named an Astronaut Scholar, I have had the opportunity to participate in the NASA Academy for Aeronautics at Dryden Flight Research Center - another exciting honor. I worked in the controls branch, analyzing the stability of the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle along its landing trajectory. Aside from gaining valuable work experience, our group also learned about other NASA Centers (JPL, Ames, and Goddard) and aerospace companies. We toured Lockheeds Skunkworks facility, home of the X-33 Next Generation Launch Vehicle, and Northrop-Grumman's B-2 facility, among others.
Classes have recently resumed at the University of Minnesota. My last year in Aerospace Engineering will be very exciting and challenging. I am especially looking forward to my space vehicle design class. Outside of class, I will continue participation in my two student organizations, and begin planning my activities after graduation.
Again, thank you. With the scholarships support, this year promises to be the best yet.
Sincerely,
Emily Eelkema
Aerospace Engineering Scholar
University of Minnesota
NOTE: Emily was recently featured in "Inventing Tomorrow", the official magazine for the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology, for her work in getting young girls interested in science and engineering. Her efforts were mentioned in a speech made by Senator Rod Grams to the Senate in recognition of "Space Week."
Linda Rymarquis
University of Kentucky Astronaut Scholar 1998-94
Linda Rymarquis, the first Astronaut Scholar from the University of Kentucky, will complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Biotechnology in May 1999. She has been a Presidential Scholar throughout her undergraduate program and has received several scholarships. Even during high school, Linda was very active in scientific competitions. She received a Department of Energy Award, a Bausch and Lomb Science and Math Award, and ranked third place or higher six times in the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science, in the subjects of Biology and Lab Sciences.
Ed Schatte
North Carolina State University Astronaut Scholar 1990-91
Ed Schatte was Valedictorian of his undergraduate class when he graduated from North Carolina State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry. He then attended the Duke University School of Medicine and earned an M. D. Next, he completed a residency at the Baylor College of Medicine Surgical / Pre- Urology program. He is now working toward completion of a residency program in the Scott Department of Urology, also at Baylor.
Ed has seven publications, a video on the subject of "Cavernous nerve grafts following radical retropubic prostatectomy", presented at the 1998 Annual AUA meeting, and 12 additional papers in process.
Eric Sharpe
North Carolina State University Astronaut Scholar 1991-92
Eric Sharpe is currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Geometry and Theoretical Physics in the Department of Physics at Duke University. He completed a Master's degree and Ph. D. in Physics at Princeton University in 1993 and 1998, respectively. His Ph. D. thesis was entitled "Heterotic Compactifications."
Eric had received the Astronaut Scholarship while working toward dual bachelor's degrees in Physics and Mathematics at North Carolina State University. He was the University Valedictorian.
Eric has about a dozen publications to his credit, including his most recent papers on the subjects: "D-Branes, Derived Categories, and Grothendieck Groups," "D-Branes and Spinc Structures," and "Khler Cone Substructure."
Brian Mathason
Pennsylvania State University Astronaut Scholar 1993-94
Brian Mathason is a very active volunteer in the Astronaut Scholars Honor Society. He will complete a Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando in August 1999. However, he received the Astronaut Scholarship when studying for a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at Penn State. Brian's Master's thesis dealt with "Performance Efficiency of the WAVELARS Scanning Lidar System", and his Ph. D. dissertation is on the subject of "All Optical WDM/ TDM Receiver using Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers."
Brian has published one refereed technical paper, entitled "Multiwavelength all-optical TDM switching using a semiconductor optical amplifier in a loop mirror", IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 11, pp. 331-323, 1999, and four non-refereed publications. He also has an on-line news article about his research which can be found on the Internet.
He submitted a patent disclosure in 1998 on "Multiwavelength Switching." Brian is doing an extensive amount of research at UCF and has been supported by an Incentive Graduate Fellowship and Litton Foundation Scholarship.
Thomas Lancaster
Pennsylvania State University Astronaut Scholar 1998-94
Thomas Lancaster, a first-time Astronaut Scholar this year, will be graduating with honors from the Pennsylvania State University in May 1999. He will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Thomas plans to attend graduate school to pursue a Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering, most likely at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.
During college, Thomas received several awards, including a 1999 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship. He placed third at the Mid-Atlantic AIChE student research paper competition for a paper entitled, "Measuring the Diffusivities of Water and Methanol in Poly( vinyl alcohol) via Gravimetric Sorption." He has been involved with chemical engineering research in the area of polymers for two years in the Penn State Chemical Engineering department and also interned at Union Carbide Corporation's Research & Development headquarters during the summer of 1998.
Outside of academic pursuits, Thomas participates in the University Choir, softball, football, basketball, and volleyball intramural sports.
Chris Arett
Washington University Astronaut Scholar 1998-94
This May, Chris Arett, a current Astronaut Scholar, will graduate from Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He recently completed an undergraduate honors thesis entitled, "Divalent Cation Transport in the Unicellular Photosynthetic Cyanobacterium Synechocystis."
Chris' honors include associate membership in the Sigma Xi scientific research honorary, Dean's List, recipient of Missouri Bright Flight Scholarship, and Ameren Union Electric Scholarship. His research has been supported by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and a Research Experience for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation.
Jennifer Galvin
Harvey Mudd College Astronaut Scholar 1990-91
An extensive update on Jennifer Galvin's life has been included in past editions of "Astronaut Scholars" magazine. Since last year, Jennifer has a new dog and has visited Spain twice on business for DuPont.
Sarah Krikorian
Tufts University Astronaut Scholar 1995-96
Sarah Krikorian is working on an MBA at Boston University part time after having completed a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University in 1996. She works full-time at Teradyne as a Manufacturing Engineer in Boston. Teradyne is a leading manufacturer of automated test equipment.
Rick Beyer
North Carolina State University Astronaut Scholar 1992-93
Rick Beyer is working in the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has published an article on "Macromolecules" which is available on-line, and he is working on two additional manuscripts to be submitted before completion of his Ph. D. Rick also gave a presentation in March at the American Physical Society Meeting in Atlanta on the subject of "Morphology of Regular Multigraft Copolymers with Tetrafunctional Branch Points."
John Hofferberth
Miami University Astronaut Scholar 1995-96
The activities of my life over the past year have centered around my continuing graduate education in synthetic organic chemistry. In June last year, I joined the research group of Dr. Leo Paquette. This was the first outward sign of me shifting emphasis from the classroom to the research portion of my graduate study.
My dissertation research topic is the development of a concise synthesis of a very important cancer drug, paclitaxel (Taxol). A practical synthesis of this potent drug has been studied for about twenty years with only moderate success.
The completion of my cumulative exams in December left me with more time to devote to my research and the final courses in my program. The chance to work on a project of such high profile importance is very exciting and is fueling my enthusiasm to make a dent in this very significant synthetic challenge.
In addition to my studies I had a chance to spend three weeks in France and Germany during the winter holidays. Traveling remains my favorite hobby and I find there is nothing better to regain your perspective and relax than some time away from the familiar.
Mary Lyn Rivamonte
Georgia Institute of Technology Astronaut Scholar 1997-98 and 1998-99
As I enter the final months of my undergraduate studies, I want to express to the Astronaut [Scholarship] Foundation for the scholarship over the past two years and for the wonderful experiences I enjoyed as an Astronaut Scholar.
"This past summer I again worked at GTRI in Cobb County. I helped in training the person who will be taking over my co-op rotation and worked on sound absorbent curtains for a nursing home with her. The plans were well accepted, and we are currently working on a patent disclosure. In addition, I did some preliminary work on improving the mixer design of a cutting torch. I also continued my training toward my private pilot's license, though that training is currently delayed due to a heavy course load this fall.
"This fall I have started acting as a TA [Teaching Assistant) for a Calculus IV recitation class. I have en ' toyed my experience teaching and hope to continue in this position throughout the year. In addition I am taking a - heavy course load of senior AE (Aerospace Engineering] classes including two labs. Though this course load requires a lot of time and effort, I am enjoying classes closely related to my intended career. I have also been recently elected the treasurer of Sigma Gamma Tau (National Aerospace Honor Society) and have been working together with the other officers to increase our activities and overhaul our records.
"I will be graduating in the spring with a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering and I'm currently looking into graduate schools. I intend to continue my education through a Ph.D., and I'm currently deciding on my specialization within Aerospace Engineering. Hopefully I will be able to receive a position as a research assistant in order to continue exploring my interests in research in graduate school.
"The scholarship has brought me some of my most rewarding experiences at Georgia Tech by opening new opportunities for me. I hope to attend the Astronaut Scholars meeting again this coming Spring and express my appreciation again in person. Seeing everyone at the meeting was a wonderful experience last year, and I hope to enjoy it again. Thank you once more for your help through this program."
Sincerely,
Mary Lyn G. Rivamonte
Angela Bielefeldt
University of Washington Astronaut Scholar 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96
Dr. Angela Bielefeldt is quite extensively published, with seven journal papers, eight conference proceedings, presentations, and posters, and a book chapter entitled "Anaerobic and Aerobic Degradation of Chlorinated Aliphatic Compounds", Bioremediation of Hazardous Wastes: Principles and Practice. (Technomics Publishing Co., Inc. Lancaster, Penn.) to her credit. Angela won the 1997 Rudolf Hering Medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers (awarded for the best paper published in the Journal of Environmental Engineering in the previous year; paper with H. D. Stensel and S. E. Strand).
She achieved a Ph. D. from the University of Washington, in the Environmental Engineering Program of the Department of Civil Engineering in August 1996. This was accomplished with the help of the Astronaut Scholarship. Her dissertation was on the subject of "Biotreatment of Contaminated Gases in a Sparged Suspended-Growth Bioreactor: Mass Transfer and Biodegradation Model." She also holds a Master of Science Degree from U. of W. and a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University.
Angela is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering. Since starting there in Fall 1996, she has taught four different undergraduate and graduate level courses: Introduction to Civil Engineering, Hazardous and Industrial Waste Management, Environmental Engineering Design, and Bioremediation. She has received four research/ teaching grants (as listed below):
- Principal Investigator. "Effect of surfactants of bioremediation of soils contaminated with Toxic Compounds." University of Colorado Council on Research and Creative Work (CRCW) Summer Session Research Grant.
- Co-Principal Investigator with Dr. Mark Hernandez. "Modernizing Engineering Curricula by Integrating Applied Microbiology." From the Engineering Excellence Fund at the University of Colorado.
- Co-Principal Investigator on Air Force Sponsored Project with Tissa Illganeskare, "Upscaling of flow and transport of de-icing compounds and JP-8 under conditions of bioactivity." US Air Force Center for Scientific Research through the EPA Hazardous Substances Research Center.
- Co-Principal Investigator: "Bioavailability and Biostabilization of Multicomponent Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) in the Subsurface." US EPA, National Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance (8703), Topic: Bioremediation (97-NCERQA10); by Anuradha Ramaswami, Tissa Illangasekare, and Angela Bielefeldt. Proposal Feb. 28, 1997.
Angela has one patent and another patent disclosure application filed for her work. Following are details:
- Patent: Inventors: A. R. Bielefeldt, H. D. Stensel, S. E. Strand, and R. E. Herwig. Invention Title: Degradation of Environmental Toxins by a Filamentous Bacterium. Application Serial No. 08/ 246,865. Filed May 20, 1995. U. S. Patent No. 5,874,291 Issue date 2/23/94
- Patent Disclosure: Inventors: A. R. Bielefeldt and H. D. Stensel. Invention: Gas Treatment Reactor. Application Filed April 28, 1996.
Jessica LoDuca
University of Central Florida Astronaut Scholar 1996-97 and 1997-98
Jessica LoDuca graduated with University Honors in Fall 1998. Upon her last semester, she earned a co-op position as a chemist at Siemens Westinghouse Power Generation Laboratories. This opportunity led to employment after her graduation, where she is heading a resin research project, developing a current MSDS library including a more efficient retrieval system using computers and hard copy. Jessica's job responsibilities also include: sending inside samples for outside chemical analysis, working on instruments for thermal analysis, and preparing samples.
On the academic front, she was just informed that her undergraduate research paper is going up for publication. During her last semester, Jessica presented her senior seminar on "Elemental Speciation with LC- ICPMS." During her senior year she was president of the student affiliates chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) on campus. Under her Presidency, the club received an Honor Mention/ Recognition from National ACS in Washington, D. C.
Currently most of her time has been devoted to her job, tutoring undergraduates, and visiting graduate schools. She plans to begin an Analytical Ph. D. program in Fall 1999.
David McKinley
Purdue University Astronaut Scholar 1997-98
David McKinley recently graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. He has started his career at Johnson Space Center, in the Attitude and Pointing department. It is very challenging and, needless to say, very exciting.
Mark Nippert
North Carolina State University Astronaut Scholar 1996-97
Mark Nippert graduated from North Carolina State University in May 1997 with a BS in Computer Engineering. He spent a year with a small software consulting firm where he learned quite a bit about the business and marketing aspects of running a small firm.
In June 1998, he left to start his own software development company Fulcrum Software Corporation. The name Fulcrum is meant to suggest balance: weighing all relevant factors against each other. Starting a new company has provided Mark with the freedom to move in aggressive directions.
Mark has taken some time to pass along his stories to local students. He has spoken at high schools and conducted seminars back at NCSU. His goal is to provide future entrepreneurs with the benefit of his experience.
In addition to his new entrepreneurial venture, Mark has been diligently adding to his resume. Mark has earned two of Microsoft's premium certifications: Microsoft Certified Solution Developer and Microsoft Certified Trainer. Mark also co-authored a reference book about new database technologies, and he has been elected Vice President of the Research Triangle Chapter of the Independent Computer Consultants' Association.
Greg Turenchalk
University of Central Florida Astronaut Scholar 1991-92
Greg Turenchalk has recently had the honor of being published in "Nature Genetics" (Nat Genet 1999 Feb; 21( 2): 177-81). "Human homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster lats tumour suppressor modulates CDC2 activity" was the topic of the article. Currently he is moving his lab to a new and permanent location. He is planning to complete a Ph. D. in Genetics from Yale within the next year. After his graduation, he is considering pursuing either a postdoctoral fellowship position or an industry position in the area of bioinformatics.
In any spare time he manages to achieve, Greg not only runs his own web site at www.curioddities.com, but also works as a freelancer doing web design work.
