Six Auburn University students have been selected to receive Undergraduate Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships from the NASA Alabama Space Grant Consortium (ASGC), a competitive program that supports students pursuing careers in aerospace, engineering and STEM research. The ASGC program strengthens NASA’s future workforce by recognizing academic excellence, research potential and a commitment to community outreach across Alabama.
The scholarships support students whose academic achievements, research interests and outreach efforts align with NASA’s mission. Through the Alabama Space Grant Consortium, recipients gain financial support, professional development opportunities and access to NASA-affiliated research and mentorship programs designed to prepare the next generation of aerospace and STEM leaders. Undergraduate scholars receive a $1,500 award, while graduate fellows receive a $38,000 award to include a student stipend, tuition/insurance and travel allowance, providing significant support for students pursuing advanced research connected to NASA’s priorities.
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This year’s recipients from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering include undergraduate scholars Jordan Geidel, Addisyn “Addie” Kriger, Eirik Mulder and Amanda Vogel, as well as graduate fellows Paxton Albright and Ashton Shannon, representing a range of engineering disciplines and research interests connected to NASA’s mission.
Undergraduate recipients
Jordan Geidel, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native and junior majoring in aerospace engineering with a minor in aviation management, received the NASA ASGC for her growing propulsion research and dedication to STEM outreach. Geidel said the award affirms the value of her academic work, leadership and service at Auburn.
“Being selected for the NASA Alabama Space Grant Consortium Scholarship is an honor because it shows that my research, leadership and service are being recognized and supported,” said Geidel. “It motivates me to keep putting in the hard work and growing into an engineer that can contribute meaningful work to the industry that will make a true impact.”
Geidel’s academic interests center on propulsion, including rotating detonation rocket engines and nozzle design. This summer she will complete a nuclear propulsion internship with Amentum, an experience she hopes will strengthen her long-term goal of pursuing a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering focused on propulsion. Geidel said she is especially passionate about K-12 outreach and hopes to inspire young students, particularly young girls, to explore engineering and space-related fields.
Addisyn “Addie” Kriger, an Honors College student majoring in aerospace engineering, focuses her work on lunar materials research and STEM outreach. Kriger, a Cypress, Texas, native, said her research allows her to contribute to the development of the next-generation materials that could support future lunar habitation, an area she is passionate about exploring.
“Being selected for this scholarship serves as recognition for the work that I deeply enjoy doing in support of future lunar habitations,” Kriger said.
Her research centers on composite materials designed for infrastructure on the moon, a field she entered because she enjoys learning new approaches that encourage exploration and technological advancement. Kriger said the program’s emphasis on community engagement immediately resonated with her. She believes K-12 outreach is one of the most meaningful ways to support the next generation of engineers, especially students who may be navigating challenges like those she faced. She is most excited to participate in the program’s STEM outreach initiatives. Through the scholarship, she hopes to encourage younger students to stay resilient and committed to their goals, even when faced with setbacks.
Eirik Mulder, an Honors College aerospace engineering major from Auburn, Alabama, focuses his work on rotorcraft aerodynamics and the development of next-generation flight systems. Mulder said the NASA ASGC award reinforces his commitment to advancing research that supports safer, more efficient aircraft and strengthens his long-term goal of contributing to NASA-aligned innovation.
Mulder’s research centers on improving aerodynamic performance in rotorcraft, with a particular interest in how airflow interacts with rotor blades during complex maneuvers. He said he was drawn to this field because of its direct connection to real-world aviation challenges and its potential to influence aerospace design. His work allows him to explore the physics behind flight while contributing to research that could support both commercial and space-related applications. Mulder is also passionate about mentoring younger students and supporting STEM outreach efforts. He said he hopes to encourage future engineers to explore aviation and aerospace fields by showing them how curiosity and persistence can lead to meaningful opportunities.
Graduate recipients
Paxton Albright, a graduate student in mechanical engineering originally from Dunlap, Tennessee, received the NASA ASGC award for his work advancing assistive technology research and his commitment to developing innovations that support human performance in extreme environments. Albright said the fellowship provides a rare opportunity to collaborate directly with NASA personnel while pursuing research that aligns with the agency’s long-term goals.
“I am extremely excited to be selected for this fellowship as it gives me the opportunity to explore a research area that I am very interested in while collaborating with experts in my area of interests,” Albright said.
Albright’s research focuses on hand exoskeleton technology, specifically exploring scenarios where engineers cannot rely on a user’s natural movement patterns to determine the level of assistance needed. Through this work, he will study state-of-the-art computer vision approaches that can help inform next-generation exoskeleton design and improve accessibility for individuals with limited mobility.
Ashton Shannon, an aerospace engineering graduate student from Huntsville, Alabama, focuses his work on propulsion systems and the development of advanced technologies that support NASA’s long-term mission objectives. Shannon’s academic interests center on rocket propulsion and high-performance engine design, areas he was drawn to because of their direct connection to NASA’s work and their potential to shape future space missions.
“This scholarship motivates me to keep pushing forward in propulsion research and to pursue opportunities that bring me closer to contributing to NASA’s mission,” Shannon said. “It’s encouraging to know that the work I’m doing now can help me shape the future of aerospace technology.”
Shannon was especially motivated by the program’s emphasis on academic excellence, research impact and community engagement. Shannon said the opportunity to connect with other students and professionals who share similar goals has helped him better understand the pathways available within aerospace engineering and the broader STEM workforce.
Shannon is also passionate about inspiring younger students to explore engineering fields. He believes STEM outreach plays a critical role in building the next generation of innovators and hopes to encourage students to pursue opportunities that challenge them and spark their curiosity.
Supporting aerospace education, research and workforce development
"The NASA ASGC has played a valuable role in promoting and supporting aerospace research and education at Auburn University and throughout the state,” said Brian Thurow, W. Allen and Martha Reed professor and department chair of aerospace engineering. “These scholarships and fellowships recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our hard-working students while significantly strengthening our ties with NASA. This program is truly a win-win for both Auburn and NASA."
The NASA Alabama Space Grant Consortium, part of NASA’s national Space Grant program, supports aerospace education, research and workforce development across the state. The program funds scholarships and fellowships for students pursuing STEM degrees that align with NASA’s mission, while also encouraging K-12 STEM outreach that inspires future generations of scientists and engineers.
