AFRL summer interns leap at unique job opportunities

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • Air Force Research Laboratory
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  This summer, the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland mentored more than 100 students through paid research internships related to directed energy and space science.

The research topics chosen by their mentors directly related to work currently being done by AFRL scientists.

The AFRL program attracted 63 doctoral and master's students and 42 undergraduate students. These scholars have top academic credentials and represent 76 universities across the United States.

A highlight of the program is the July and August scholars poster and presentation sessions, where students present their projects to the AFRL researchers. At the conclusion of the poster sessions, awards are presented to the outstanding Directed Energy and Space Vehicles scholars and mentors.

The July presentation session included Dr. Robert Q. Fugate as the keynote speaker. Fugate is an internationally renowned physicist who has worked for the U.S. Air Force since 1970 and is a leading authority on adaptive optics.

"Follow your passion, be persistent and be a risk taker," Fugate said. "Value your co-workers and take an hour each day to do something you enjoy outside of your work."

Dr. David A. Hardy, the Directed Energy director, and Col. David B. Goldstein, the Space Vehicles director, shared the August keynote speaker spotlight. Goldstein told the students about some principles he has learned.

"Do something you love and you'll do it well," he said. "Be a doer. As scientists and engineers we tend to think a lot -- to be successful you have to do things and then evaluate the impact. Have balance in your life -- physically, emotionally, spiritually and work."

AFRL Space Scholar Sally Smith was among several students presented an outstanding scholar award. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a master's of science degree in aerospace engineering.

"My research this summer continued last year's work on characterizing the underlying mechanisms of oscillating heat pipes," said Smith. "My experience with the Scholars program not only furthered my academic interests in thermal design and testing for space vehicles, but it also taught me valuable teamwork and leadership skills. The program helped me launch into my full-time career with NASA. Becoming an AFRL Scholar was one of the best decisions I could have made for both my academic and professional careers."

The dedication by the AFRL mentors makes the program a success.

"The AFRL Scholars program is an excellent investment in the future of our country" said AFRL scientist Dr. Matthew Squires, who was presented an outstanding mentor award this year. "Our AFRL researchers have the opportunity each summer to mentor some of the brightest young minds in the nation as they work on real-world research projects within the Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates. I am always impressed by the talent, creativity and sheer energy the scholars exhibit -- we challenge them and they continually amaze us."

Applications for the 2014 AFRL Summer Scholars program will be accepted beginning in November 2013. Interested students may find out more information about this program at the AFRL Scholars website at http://afrlscholars.usra.edu.