The Interstellar Research Group is proud to announce the winners to the 2024 Scholarship Program!
Thanks to Baen Books for sponsoring the Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship, for our Undergraduate Scholarship, and Robert and Ruann Hampson for sponsoring our PhD and Masters Scholarships. The IRG is honored to award three merit-based scholarships to outstanding students pursuing degrees in fields that advance the dream of interstellar exploration. These awards recognize students who exemplify academic excellence, scientific curiosity, and a commitment to expanding humanity’s reach into the cosmos.
After a competitive review process, the following students have been selected as recipients of the 2024 scholarships:
PhD Scholarship Winner: Sarah Lamm
University of Kansas – PhD in Geology
Sarah’s research explores biosignature detection in Martian opals as part of NASA’s Mars Sample Return efforts. Her dissertation, “Assessment of Biosignature Detection for Mars Sample Return: A Comparative Study of Biotic and Abiotic Opals,” builds on experience with the ChemCam instrument on the Mars Curiosity Rover and multiple internships at NASA’s JPL and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Sarah is also a passionate science communicator, leading “Rocks & Rockets” outreach programs in rural communities.
Her winning essay and background can be viewed at:
https://sites.google.com/view/sarahlamm/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lamm/
https://www.facebook.com/KU/posts/phd-candidate-sarah-lamm-recently-completed-her-mission-as-an-analog-astronaut-a/891311519703147/
Master’s Scholarship Winner: Katlynn Vicuña
Johns Hopkins University – Space Systems Engineering
A Brooke Owens Fellow and rising leader in the aerospace industry, Katlynn brings experience from internships across high-impact space organizations. Her graduate work at Johns Hopkins focuses on developing mission-critical space systems that will shape the future of off-world exploration.
Learn more about Katlynn here:
https://www.brookeowensfellowship.org/katlynn-vicuna
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katlynn-vicu%C3%B1a-4302065a/
Undergraduate Tim Bolgeo Memorial Scholarship Winner: Sadie Cullings
Arizona State University – Aerospace Engineering, Astronautics (BSE)
Sadie is an aerospace engineering student involved in NASA’s RockSat program, contributing to innovative student-led space missions. Her academic focus in astronautics and her leadership in hands-on research projects demonstrate a dedication to the future of human spaceflight and exploration.
More about Sadie’s work can be found here:
https://news.asu.edu/20230831-space-unleashed-asu-launches-students-nasas-rock-program
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadie-c/
We congratulate this year’s winners and thank all of the talented students who applied. Your ideas and aspirations bring us closer to a future among the stars.
“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere.”
– Carl Sagan
Follow the Interstellar Research Group and stay up to date on scholarship opportunities, interstellar initiatives, and how you can be part of the journey:
https://linktr.ee/irg.space