The NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, headquartered at West Virginia University, recently announced grant awards of more than $800,000 to faculty and students at member colleges and universities throughout West Virginia.
The funds will support space-related research, study and outreach activities, plus several summer internships for West Virginia students at NASA facilities and high-tech companies nationwide.
Established in 1991 as part of a national network of NASA -sponsored consortia, the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium includes 11 West Virginia member universities and colleges. As the lead institution, the consortium is housed in WVU ’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
Some of the funded projects include such broad-ranging subjects as the development of detection algorithms for pilot fatigue and workload using a flight simulator; the effects of antibiotics on microbial activities and resistance in water recovery systems for long-term space missions; and the development of a graduate-level course on artificial intelligence techniques in engineering.
�€?Our mission is to enhance West Virginia’s competitiveness in research, education and outreach in science, mathematics, engineering and other space-related disciplines,�€? said Majid Jaraiedi, director of the consortium and a professor in WVU ’s Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering.
Funding for these projects comes from a training grant from NASA , Jaraiedi said, and some additional funding from the West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
The consortium also provides academic scholarships and sponsors summer internship and research opportunities for students enrolled in science, math and engineering at WVU and other consortium affiliates.
WVU engineering students awarded summer internships through NASA this year include:
Jackie Grimes, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major from Pittsburgh, will be working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.
Kerri Phillips, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major from Weirton, will be working at SIP �€Goddard.
Tobias Brozenick, a computer science and electrical engineering major from Shinnston, will be working at Robotics Goddard.
Rod Jaraiedi, an industrial engineering major from Morgantown, will be working at the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation.
Justin Morris, an electrical engineering major from Fairmont , will be working at NASA ’s IV&V Facility.
Other companies that will provide summer internships to NASA -sponsored students include: Augusta Systems, Institute of Scientific Research and Global Science Technology.
In all, the consortium expects to place 21 students in internships with area high-tech companies and NASA facilities this summer.
For more information, contact Candy Ramsey-Cordwell, program coordinator, 304-293-4099 ext. 3738.