HOUSTON– 18 Feb 11
Black History Month: USRP Celebrates African American Contributions to NASA
By: Heather L. Ogletree
Each February, NASA joins with the nation in recognizing National Black History Month. It is a time to commemorate the enormous contributions of African Americans to our nation’s achievements,” stated NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “It is also a moment to reflect on how far we have come as a nation. When I was a young man, my service as NASA's first African American administrator under the nation's first Black president would have been nearly unthinkable. Through the efforts of many people of all races, our nation has changed. And, thanks to the Space Shuttle Program, and NASA's cross-disciplinary exploration missions, African Americans and many others have had access to space and also to science and technological careers.”
The Undergraduate Student Research Project (USRP) is another avenue for undergraduate students of all backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities who are members of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) community to explore the world of NASA. Since 2008, USRP has placed 47 African American students at NASA centers around the nation. As part of their USRP internship, interns complete a 10 to 15 week mentored project, which allows them to not only gain real world experience, but also to contribute to the NASA mission within their field of study.
This spring, USRP is hosting 8 African American students at 4 NASA centers. Below you will find the profiles of 6 of these students. Click on each USRP intern’s photo to find out more about their experience and what sparked their passion for STEM.
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USRP INTERN:
UNIVERSITY: MAJOR: CLASS YEAR: NASA CENTER: MENTOR: |
Tamika Ragland
ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY Biology Sophomore Goddard Eric Brown de Colstoun |
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USRP INTERN:
UNIVERSITY: MAJOR: CLASS YEAR: NASA CENTER: MENTOR: |
Lyndsey McMillon
MIAMI UNIVERSITY-OXFORD Mechanical Engineering Sophomore Glenn Jeremian McNatt |
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USRP INTERN:
UNIVERSITY: MAJOR: CLASS YEAR: NASA CENTER: MENTOR: |
Timmy Mbaya
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-BOSTON Computer Science Senior Ames OleMengshoel |
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USRP INTERN:
UNIVERSITY: MAJOR: CLASS YEAR: NASA CENTER: MENTOR: |
Ciarra
Britt
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE Mechanical Engineering Sophomore Marshall Don Krupp |
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USRP INTERN:
UNIVERSITY: MAJOR: CLASS YEAR: NASA CENTER: MENTOR: |
Eileen Boyd
UNIVERSITY OF AKRON MAIN CAMPUS Chemical Engineering Senior Glenn Mitra Yoonessi |
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USRP INTERN:
UNIVERSITY: MAJOR: CLASS YEAR: NASA CENTER: MENTOR: |
Guy Wilson
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-ANN ARBOR Nuclear Engineering Freshman Ames Meyya Meyyappan |