Academic and Research Experience

Georgia Tech Aerospace Engineering Department, Atlanta, GA, August 2007 - Present
Experimental Fluids Lab Teaching Assistant. Maintain and supervise operations of experiments.

Siemens Westinghouse Power Generation, Orlando, FL, September - November 2006
Program in-house heat transfer and fluid flow correlations from in-house tools to Excel / Visual Basic to verify accuracy and correctness. Selected for the 2006 University Turbin Systems Research Fellowship.

Georgia Tech Combustion Laboratory, Atlanta, GA, January 2005 - Present
Responsible for 9' turbulent unstable combustor. Developed extensive experimental database on effects of acoustic driving on flame instability control and damping for approximately 10,000 different flower and acoustic conditions. Assembled instruments for sue with photo-multiplier tubes during data acquisition.

Memberships and Activities

Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Honor Society
Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Society
Faculty Honors (3 Semesters)
2006 University Turbine Systems Research Fellow
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society

Skills and Certifications

Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to contribute proactively and creatively in a small team environment
Experience with MATLAB, Cosilab, Solid Edge, and AutoCAD
PADI Scuba Diving Society Member, Advanced Open Water Certified

Honors and Awards

Deans List 4 Semesters
2006 University Turbine Systems Research Fellow

Hobbies and Interests

Lacrosse, Scuba Diving, AIAA, Paintball, Golf, Snowboarding

Personal Statement

I was born in Washington, D.C. and raised just 8 miles south in Alexandria, VA. When I was three, my mom made me a rocket costume for Halloween, complete with a nose cone hat and red streamers for exhaust flames. The Polaroid is still on the fridge at my parents’ house. Growing up, I flew model rockets, and led to the highlight of my young life: when I was in 7th grade, I went to Space Camp at KSC. I’ve wanted to work at NASA since I discovered its existence. There is nothing more thrilling to me than watching something like the Shuttle launch or seeing pictures from the rovers on Mars and knowing that I can be a part of that.

The NASA Academy is an excellent opportunity to meet the leaders of today and prepare to be a leader tomorrow. It provides a unique chance to see the inner workings of NASA: not just the engineering side and the end result, but also a chance to understand the management skills and leadership necessary to run a multi-billion dollar government organization. Additionally, getting to work hands-on for such an organization is invaluable. I hope the insight, networking and experience I can gain this summer will help me determine a clear career path to my ultimate goal: being an astronaut, of course!