NASA Funds Research Projects Advancing STEM Career Development

Projects for Seed Funding

The following projects were selected as the third cohort to receive seed funding:

• “Bridging Fundamental Ice Chemistry Studies and Ocean World Explorations,” principal investigator: Chris Arumainayagam, Wellesley College, MA; NASA center: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (CA)
• “Planetary Analog Field Science Experiences for Undergraduates: Advancing Fundamental Research and Testing Field Instrument Operations,” principal investigator, Alice Baldridge, Saint Mary's College of California, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MD
• “Building an FSU-JPL Partnership to Advance Science Productivity Through Applications of Deep Learning,” principal investigator, Sambit Bhattacharya, Fayetteville State University, NC; NASA JPL
• “CSTAT: Establishing Center for Safe and Trustworthy Autonomous Technologies,” principal investigator, Moitrayee Chatterjee, New Jersey City University; NASA Goddard
• “Development of Biomechanics Simulation Tool for Muscle Mechanics in Reduced Gravity to Enhance Astronaut Mission Readiness,” principal investigator: Ji Chen, University of the District of Columbia; NASA Johnson Space Center, TX
• “NASA Next Level,” principal investigator: Teresa Ciardi, Santa Clarita Community College District, CA; NASA JPL
• “Controlled Assembly of Amphiphilic Janus Particles in Polymer Matrix for Novel 3D Printing Applications in Space,” principal investigator: Ubaldo Cordova-Figueroa, Recinto Universitario Mayaguez; NASA Glenn Research Center, OH 
• “Development of a Non-Invasive Sweat Biosensor for Traumatic Brain Injury Compatible With In-Space Manufacturing to Monitor the Health of Astronauts,” principal investigator: Lisandro Cunci, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Pedras; NASA Ames Research Center, CA
• “Examining Climate Impacts of Cirrus Clouds Through Past, Present, and Future NASA Airborne Campaigns,” principal investigator: Minghui Diao, San Jose State University Research Foundation, CA; NASA Ames
• “CSUN-JPL Collaboration to Study Ocean Fronts Using Big Data and Open Science Structures in Coastal North America,” principal investigator, Mario Giraldo, California State University, Northridge; NASA JPL
• “Accelerating Electric Propulsion Development for Planetary Science Missions With Optical Plasma Diagnostics,” principal investigator, Nathaniel Hicks, University of Alaska, Anchorage; NASA JPL
• “Advancing Students Through Research Opportunities in Los Angeles (ASTRO-LA),” principal investigator: Margaret Lazzarini, California State University, Los Angeles; NASA JPL
• “Bridging Toward a More Inclusive Learning Environment Through Gamma-ray Burst Studies With Machine Learning and Citizen Science,” principal investigator, Amy Lien, University of Tampa, FL; NASA Goddard
• “Hampton University STEM Experience With NASA Langley Research Center: Polarimetry for Aerosol Characterization,” principal investigator, Robert Loughman, Hampton University, VA; NASA Langley Research Center, VA
• “Aerocapture Analysis and Development for Uranus and Neptune Planetary Missions,” principal investigator, Ping Lu, San Diego State University; NASA Langley
• “Pathways from Undergraduate Research to the Habitable Worlds Observatory,” principal investigator, Ben Ovryn, New York Institute of Technology;  NASA Goddard
• “Point-Diffraction Interferometer for Digital Holography,” principal investigator, James Scire, New York Institute of Technology; NASA Goddard
• “From Sunbeams to Career Dreams: Illuminating Pathways for NMSU Students in Solar-Terrestrial Physics in Partnership With NASA GSFC,” principal investigator: Juie Shetye, New Mexico State University; NASA Goddard
• “CONNECT-SBG: Collaborative Nexus for Networking, Education, and Career Training in Surface Biology and Geology,” principal investigator, Gabriela Shirkey, Chapman University, CA; NASA JPL
• ; “Multiplexed Phytohormone and Nitrate Sensors for Real-Time Analysis of Plant Responses to Pathogenic Stress in Spaceflight-Like Conditions,” principal investigator: Shawana Tabassum, University of Texas, Tyler; NASA Kennedy Space Center, FL