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Perseverance Award

Being recognized means a great deal to me because it acknowledges not just where I am today, but everything it took to get here. There were many moments during the past few years when getting this close to graduation felt impossible. Much of that journey happened quietly, so being recognized now feels deeply meaningful. Living in a foreign country at a young age pushed me in ways I had never imagined, and it reminds me that the effort it took to keep showing up mattered. To me, this award is not just about reaching graduation, but about all that this journey has asked of me and taught me. At the same time, it also reminds me that some heights are only reached because others helped lift me along the way. This recognition means even more because it reflects not only perseverance, but also the support, encouragement, and belief that carried me through.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will most likely be moving back home to India, where I plan to work at an aerospace startup. I am especially excited to work in India’s aerospace and space startup ecosystem because it is growing rapidly and creating opportunities for young engineers to learn, contribute, and take on meaningful challenges early in their careers. I’m excited to use what I’ve learned in a real-world setting.

Community Impact Award

Research Award

I am deeply honored to receive this year’s Research Award. Since joining CU Bioastronautics as a research assistant at the end of my freshman year, the opportunities and exposure I have received have been fundamental to my growth. Through this work, I have evolved into both a diligent researcher and a meticulous engineer, dedicated to contributing to the future of human spaceflight. My current research focuses on quantifying the durability, signal quality, and comfort of textile electrodes for long-term electrocardiogram monitoring. A significant milestone in my journey was authoring a human experiment protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This experience not only confirmed my passion for research but also proved that I am capable of contributing to the field at the highest level.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be starting my career as a Spacecraft Engineer at Vantor in Westminster. I look forward to immersing myself in satellite operations and design while broadening my knowledge of spacecraft subsystem architecture. My long-term goal is to bridge the gap between theoretical research and industry application, specifically in the realm of human-rated systems.

Academic Engagement Award and Research Award

I feel honored to be recognized for these awards. I have always tried to push myself and the groups and projects I have been part of to be confident inÌýand strive forÌýambitious and impactful goals, even when they may seem unattainable. I hope that by being recognized for these awards, I will inspire others to take on ambitious and impactful work because I believe this optimism is key to success, here at CU and beyond.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be working at BAE Systems on spacecraft mission instruments here in Colorado while startingÌýmy master's in aerospace engineering with a concentration in remote sensing at CU.Ìý

Research Award

I'm very honored to be chosen for the Research Award. When I started my undergraduate degree, I did not plan on following a research-heavy pathway; I was planning on pursuing internships, doing the Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's, and most likely going into industry or a government lab. After I tried research, though, I found I really loved it, and I ended up focusing on research from the summer after my sophomore year until now (in a few different positions and focuses). Being recognized for this work makes me very proud of the success I've had in exploring this new way of thinking and learning and makes me more confident in pursuing my next steps as a growing researcher.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be pursuing a PhD in astrodynamics at UT Austin under Professor Luke Peterson. I'll be focusing on the dynamics of cislunar space, the region between the Earth and the Moon; this will let me use the skills I've gained from both my aerospace engineering degree and my applied math degree and set me up for a research-focused career.