Empowering Future Engineers Through Research and Philanthropy
Financial support plays a vital role in opening doors for undergraduate students—especially those with demonstrated financial need. Our Undergraduate Engineering Research Scholars Program offers a unique, philanthropic approach to student support by combining scholarships with hands-on research opportunities.
Through this donor-funded program, scholarships are awarded based on merit and need to undergraduates who commit to joining research groups for one year. Students will tackle real-world technological challenges while gaining marketable skills that set them apart.
Meet the 2026-2027 Projects and Cohort
The 2026-2027 cohort includes 15 undergraduate Aerospace Engineering students matched with faculty-led research projects.
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Students: Evan Aguilar-Pine, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering; Tatyanna Reyes, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study propulsion systems that use hydrogen mixed with tiny energetic metal particles, such as aluminum. The research will examine how those particles affect detonation stability, efficiency, and fuel flexibility for future space and hypersonic vehicles.
Mentor: Dr. Swagnik Guhathakurta, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Students: Rishith Rao Ailneni, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering; Joseph Harb, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will develop a lab workflow that connects computer simulation with wind tunnel testing. The research will include airfoil design, software-based aerodynamic analysis, a 3D-printed test article, and comparison with low-speed wind tunnel data.
Mentor: Dr. Bret P. Van Poppel, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Barrett Brown, Senior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study additively manufactured auxetic structures, which are 3D-printed materials designed to respond differently than conventional structures when loaded. The research will examine whether these structures can improve impact resistance and thermal protection for aerospace applications.
Mentor: Dr. Amine Benzerga, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Department of Materials Science & Engineering
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Student: Patrick Chao, Senior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will analyze adaptive control methods for systems that respond over multiple time scales. The research will use simulations of unmanned air systems to study how nonlinear feedback control laws can improve vehicle behavior.
Mentor: Dr. John Valasek, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Brian Furby, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study how spacecraft orbits near the Moon evolve over time. The research will examine when a spacecraft may naturally impact the Moon and how maneuvers or other disturbances can change the final impact location.
Mentor: Dr. Diane Davis, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Zeshan Javaid, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will support experimental research on hypersonic flight, where vehicles travel several times faster than the speed of sound. The research will use wind tunnel testing and measurement tools to better understand aerodynamic heating, flow behavior, and test conditions.
Mentor: Dr. Nathan Tichenor, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Jesus Juarez, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study how aerospace engineers build professional skills alongside technical knowledge. The research will examine teamwork, communication, ethical judgment, and career readiness so that engineering education can better prepare students for practice.
Mentor: Dr. Kristi Shryock, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
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Student: Rachel Kwak, Senior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will investigate rotorcraft with uneven rotor layouts. The research will use wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic analysis to understand flow behavior and stability, which can support better design guidance for future vertical-lift aircraft.
Mentor: Dr. Abraham Atte, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Landon Moore, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study laser ablation plasma thrusters, which use short laser pulses to turn a solid surface into plasma and produce thrust. The research will examine how plasma forms and accelerates to support compact propulsion systems for small spacecraft.
Mentor: Dr. James Creel, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Muhtasim Nabi, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study a multi-modal Mars exploration platform that can operate as both a rover and a drone. The research will examine how changing the vehicle geometry can help exploration systems travel farther and reach areas that conventional rovers cannot access.
Mentor: Dr. Moble Benedict, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Arnoldo Ramos, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will investigate how weather and atmospheric conditions affect hypersonic vehicles. The research will examine factors such as humidity, clouds, and turbulence to understand how real flight environments influence experiments and vehicle performance.
Mentor: Dr. Nathan Tichenor, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Christian Savino, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study morphing flight vehicles that can change shape to balance aerodynamic performance with antenna or electromagnetic performance. The research will support designs that could adapt to different civil or defense missions.
Mentor: Dr. Darren Hartl, Department of Aerospace Engineering
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Student: Derek Wu, Junior, B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Project: This project will study how hydrogen moves through porous underground materials. The research will use molecular simulations and larger-scale models to better understand how clean-energy hydrogen could be stored underground.
Mentor: Dr. Hejian Zhu, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Why This Program Stands Out
Unlike traditional scholarships, this program provides students with:
- Faculty and Researcher Networking
Build connections with faculty and researchers at Texas A&M and beyond. - Applied Learning
Reinforce classroom knowledge through practical application in the lab. - Transferrable Skills
Develop experiences that strengthen résumés and future career prospects. - Career Insight
Gain a deeper understanding of research and development within your discipline. - Publication Opportunities
Contribute as a co-author or lead author on scholarly publications—boosting graduate fellowship and job applications. - Technical Communication Skills
Improve public speaking confidence through diverse communication experiences.
Who Should Apply?
Ideal candidates are sophomores and juniors with strong academic records. Selection considers:
- Academic performance
- Leadership and extracurricular involvement
- Financial need
Participants are matched with faculty mentors who are passionate about student research. Early-career faculty bring fresh ideas and creativity, while senior faculty offer award-winning teaching and mentoring experience.
Program Launch
Thanks to the generous support of the WoodNext Foundation, the program will roll out in three phases over three years:
- Spring 2026: Student selections in April
- Fall 2026: First cohort of 15 students begins research