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The national awards recognize and support outstanding grad students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.

Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.

CU Boulder is in the top universities 15 nationally for the NSF fellowship recipients for 2024, with 27 awardees across all majors. CU Engineering also has a strong track record with winning the fellowships — 28 students received GRFP awards in 2023,23 students received them in 2022, and 26 students received them in 2021.

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Blastoff! The rocket soared over the prairie, its unique engine screaming in unison with cheers from more than two dozen students. The months of work, late nights, calculations, and validations had all been worth it.

Three University of Colorado Boulder aerospace senior design teams had come together and successfully designed, built, and launched a 10’ tall, 50 lb. hybrid liquid/solid fuel rocket at Pawnee National Grasslands in rural Weld County.

“This was a really hard design challenge, a very difficult technical dance,” said Matt Rhode, teaching assistant professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences and the lead faculty advisor on the project. “A hybrid motor is very difficult technically, requiring analysis in structures, fluids, propulsion, aerodynamics, remote sensing and control. This is a true triumph.”

All CU Boulder aerospace seniors spend two semesters tackling a capstone project that brings together their education with real-world engineering challenges. There are myriad project options for students, from space mission prototypes to reconnaissance drone concepts.

The 36 students of the rocket teams signed up for a project that had bedeviled years of previous seniors.

“I liked the challenge,” said senior Matt Bechtel, who served on the ground system team. “It was something completely different than any other project and had a practical endpoint. We would be able to test it in the exact environment it was designed for, which had a bigger appeal to me than any other project.”

The project saw its genesis more than 20 years ago, when a student approached Rhode about hybrid rockets, which are safer than solid fuel propulsion and not subject to the same U.S. government export restrictions that the turbo pumps necessary for liquid rockets are.

The complexity of the project presented a unique challenge for senior design, and proved to be more than could be accomplished by a single team in just two semesters. This academic year, Rhode split the project into three separate parts: ground systems, airframe, and engine. With dedicated teams for each, they made it to the finish line.

“This project was bigger than any of us,” said senior Gavin Morales, who was project manager for the engine team. “We had highs and lows. Our lowest point was when our second static fire test had an actuation failure with the main valve and just burned out. But we came back, and everybody had the attitude that we’re going to do whatever it takes.”

The students designed and built everything themselves. Even the rocket fuel and oxidizer was manufactured on campus.

“All the mixes went well. The solid propellant was aluminum powder with HTPB, which is a rubbery binder. It’s a non-standard fuel but has high thrust initially, and we were really concerned about getting off the pad, so it made sense,” Morales said.

Each team worked separately toward their portion of the project goals while interfacing regularly to stay aligned. As students like Morales tackled engine design, others were perfecting the embedded systems and dual-deploy parachute systems necessary for the ground station and airframe.

Hybrid solid/liquid rockets are unusual in industry, with Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser and Virgin Galactic as the primary users in the United States. Team members, however, discovered commercial interest is high, as the project helped numerous students get post-graduation jobs.

“I’ve been hired by a defense contractor and during the interview process I got to give specific examples from this project that were relevant to their work,” Morales said. “Another team member got a job at SpaceX doing exactly what he did on this project and a member of the ground team posted on LinkedIn about the launch and someone else from SpaceX tagged their boss about hiring him.”

Watching the students progress over two semesters, Rhode was impressed with their commitment to the project.

“These were a bunch of good students,” Rhode said. “They were motivated and dedicated and spent a lot of extra hours and got it done. Students don’t build this kind of rocket because it’s so hard, but this department has outstanding faculty and a world-class program, and these students got the job done.”

Preparing for the final launch, team members spent 36 hours setting up the rocket and ground equipment. Although there were some final hiccups with a load cell and morning fog that took far longer to clear than hoped, when the final countdown came the rocket went up without a hitch.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed and I don’t think I’ve ever had such instant relief,” Bechtel said.

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When did you know you wanted to study mechanical engineering? 
I actually applied to and started in our biomedical engineering program. During my third semester, though, I realized that biology wasn’t for me, and learning about engineering through the lens of the human body made me queasy so I decided to change my major.

I think the reason I didn’t originally apply to mechanical engineering was that I only associated it with cars and the automotive industry. When I got to CU Boulder, I realized that mechanical engineering spans so many industries and is involved in the design of almost any technological component which is what convinced me to pursue it.

What challenges do you hope mechanical engineering can solve in the future? 
I hope that mechanical engineers can contribute to finding solutions to climate change. The energy, manufacturing and transportation sectors have been major contributors to global warming and I hope mechanical engineers can make advancements to our current technology and create new, clean and affordable solutions that will help mitigate its impacts.

What are some of your memorable experiences at CU Engineering? 
There are so many – but a majority of them come back to the community and friends I have here. My friends and I joke that when we get our degrees we should get them as a group because we wouldn’t have made it through college without each other’s help and support. No matter whether we are working on homework late into the night, studying for exams together or applying to internships, I know that my friends are there for me and are always willing to help me when I need it. I hope that’s what I’ll remember when I think back to college when I am a few years into my career.

What are your favorite aspects of being involved with SWE? 

My favorite part of SWE is the community. I have had the opportunity to interact with CU members, as well as members from the professional section of SWE and everyone I have met has been nothing short of friendly and kind. I have been to two SWE conferences which helped introduce me to SWE at the larger international organization and exposed me to so many professional and learning opportunities.

Why should someone consider joining SWE? 
It’s a fun way to meet new people, get industry contacts and give back to the community! You will learn a lot along the way. My only regret is not getting involved sooner.

Top Photo: Sara hiking Grizzly Peak and Cupid Peak with the CU Hiking Club. Bottom Photo: Celebrating birthdays with SWE friends on Pearl Street.

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We sat down with graduating fourth-year environmental engineering student Mia Lonergan to share about her CU Engineering experience! Mia has served as treasurer for the CU Boulder Society of Women Engineers (SWE) during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.

What inspired you to pursue engineering or STEM in general? 

I always had a love for math and chemistry. I was always interested in understanding how things worked and why certain objects could function. This helped to align my interests in technology with STEM and pursue a career in engineering.

When did you know you wanted to study environmental engineering? 

I was heavily involved in 4H in elementary, middle and high school. Being part of the organization fostered my interest in sustainability and the needs of the future. I knew I wanted to study environmental engineering, as it offered a focus on energy conversion. Specifically, I wanted to pursue a career in the renewable energy sector, leading me to later pursue a minor in energy engineering in addition to my degree.

What challenges do you hope environmental engineering can solve in the future? 

I hope that environmental engineering can solve the energy crisis in the future, assisting in a clean transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Fossil fuels will always be used for transportation and electricity generation. However, incorporating a larger ratio of renewable energy like wind, solar, microgrids and hydrogen, will allow us to shift to a cleaner future.

What stood out to you about CU Boulder as you considered college options? 

CU Boulder stood out to me when I considered college options, as it offered both beauty and brains. I was interested in attending a university with a top-ranked engineering program that offered networking opportunities, resources for students and active hands-on learning experiences. CU Engineering offered various opportunities to make connections with other students, professors and industry professionals. 

Specifically, the BOLD Center stuck out to me as it offers resources, tutoring, networking, professional development, student society involvement, and more to underrepresented students in engineering. Finally, Boulder offers plenty of outdoor activities including hiking and snowboarding nearby: two of my favorite hobbies. Not to mention, you can’t beat the view of the Flatirons every morning!

What are some of your memorable experiences at CU Engineering? 

Some of my memorable experiences at CU Engineering include participating in the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design project on the CU Buffwind Team. It has been an amazing experience contributing to a project that will be presented at the Department of Energy NREL Collegiate Wind Competition this May. Another memorable experience included participating in BuffProjects where I got to work with a group of students on an industry project. Finally, I have been heavily involved in the Society of Women Engineers where I unlocked countless experiences and connections. 

What are your favorite aspects of being involved with SWE? 

My favorite aspects of being involved with SWE include mentorships, networking opportunities, industry exposure and the opportunity to meet women and other minorities in both STEM and engineering fields here at CU. 

Our mentorship program has connected me with various undergraduate students as well as fostered connections with industry mentors. I have had the opportunity to network with 50+ companies here on campus and 200+ companies at both national and local conferences through the CU Boulder Society of Women Engineers. 

This is my second year serving on the executive board as treasurer. It has allowed me to partake in SWE on both a national and local level and assist the section in achieving our goals. SWE has truly transformed my experience at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Why should someone consider joining SWE? 

Someone should consider joining SWE if they want to meet new people within the school of engineering; practice networking; partake in STEM-related activities with younger audiences including elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, and Girl Scouts; travel to national and local conferences where you can meet engineers of all ages in all industries; partake in professional development; or do a fun activity with other students at one of our weekly meetings! 

Are you involved with other student organizations on campus? 

During my time here at CU, I have participated in Engineers Without Borders Rwanda, the Society of Environmental Engineers, the CU Energy Club and currently the CU Wind Energy Club.

What are your plans after graduation? 

I plan to take some time to travel during the summer before starting with Mortenson as a wind energy group field engineer on their wind team. I look forward to working on-site during the construction of wind farms.

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The College of Engineering and Applied Science recognizes alumni achievements with annual awards. We are pleased to announce our 2024 recipients representing the BOLD Center!

2024 Alumni Engagement Medal Award recipients: 

• DEAA honors graduates and friends who have distinguished themselves through outstanding personal qualities, knowledge, and significant contributions to their fields

Denzil Ekow Bilson (CompSci'23) 

Denzil has built many connections and relationships with students, staff, and faculty within BOLD and in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Though he finished his undergraduate coursework and student employment last year, he still engages with the BOLD Center as a Lead Volunteer Tutor and has expanded his portfolio as a TA in CSEN.

Read Denzil's bio

Briana Santa Ana (CivEngr'20)

In an effort to bring attention and awareness to issues around discrimination and diversity in the construction industry, Santa Ana helped organize the Construction Diversity Summit, which took place in April 2022 with nearly 200 attendees. Briana was fully engaged in the planning process, which included coordinating three breakout session speakers and a panel of industry leaders. She joined two of her peers who represented recent graduates and shared their stories with the audience. The summit enabled participants to learn new communication strategies and skills, recognize the importance of DEI work on the jobsite, and better understand the challenges underrepresented populations face in the construction industry.

Read Briana's bio

All awardees will be honored at the Engineering Awards Banquet in April 2024.

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PhD student played key role on NASA’s DART Mission

Alex Meyer is an astrodynamics expert, engineer, PhD student, and now, a part of the night sky. The International Astronomical Union has officially named an asteroid after him.

Asteroid 2000 ND17 is now

“It’s pretty cool and quite an honor,” Meyer said. “You look around at other asteroids and the people they’re named after; it’s very good company to be in.”

As a fifth year aerospace PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, Meyer is being recognized for fundamental research he conducted on the dynamics of binary asteroid systems and how they are affected by close planetary flybys.

His work is part of which in 2022 intentionally crashed a space probe into an orbiting binary asteroid to study deflection technology.

“Alex’s research was fundamentally relevant to the DART mission,” said Dan Scheeres, a distinguished professor of aerospace at CU Boulder and Meyer’s advisor.

Scheeres nominated Meyer for the naming honor.

“He played such a big role and the work he provided was really unique. He developed simulations on what would happen to this asteroid after the impact and provided advice on the science to other engineers,” Scheeres said.

The naming is made all the more impressive by the fact that Meyer’s contributions began somewhat unexpectedly.

“When I started at CU Boulder I was interested in orbital mechanics, but was playing around in a couple different areas of research. Then a more senior grad student who had responsibility with DART was leaving, and Dan asked if I could take over,” Meyer said.

He dove in with aplomb.

“Binary asteroids gave me the opportunity to work on cutting edge missions and I just kept finding new and interesting things to study,” Meyer said. “The dynamics of these binary systems can be quite complicated. Asteroids don’t look like spheres; they’re weird shapes and their orbits are quite close together. So the gravity between them becomes really complex.”

A personal ambition toward advanced research and analysis is what drove Meyer’s interest in graduate school and specifically CU Boulder.

“This is one of the best astrodynamics schools in the country, and being able to apply myself on these real world problems as a PhD student is a great opportunity. I was one of the main dynamicists on the mission,” Meyer said.

The research has become a key part of his PhD thesis. Meyer intends to graduate this summer and is currently at work on his dissertation. After graduation, he hopes to work full time in a research laboratory.

Meyer’s asteroid orbits as part of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Approximately 7 km (4.35 mi) in diameter, it was originally spotted in 2000. It is possible to see with a large personal telescope, but it requires at least an 18” mirror, and so is best viewed from an observatory.

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