You Get an Award, and You Get an Award!
Heidi Williams
Congratulations to two of our outstanding undergraduates!
Kayleigh Dobson ’19 (mechanical engineering) was selected for a prestigious Brooke Owens Fellowship, an award-winning, volunteer-led program awarding internships and senior mentorship to exceptional undergraduate women seeking careers in aviation or space exploration. One of just 41 selected from Ivy League universities, major research universities, liberal arts colleges, international universities and others, Dobson will enjoy a paid internship at Sierra Nevada Corp., recognized among the world's most innovative companies in space systems. There, she will be paired with a senior aerospace professional who will serve as her mentor.
“Feedback from the selection committee made it clear that Kayleigh's involvement in our NASA satellite mission control program was a distinguishing element of her application,” said Mechanical Engineering Professor Christopher Kitts. “It is rare for a student to already have professional-level experience as a primary contributor to a real NASA space mission.”
The Brooke Owens Fellowship Program was founded in 2016 to provide early career experience and mentorship to collegiate women interested in aviation and space. “What really excites me about this fellowship,” said Dobson, “is the opportunity to gain experience and learn at an amazing company like SNC, and the chance to connect with the incredible support system that the program provides. I am so excited for this summer and to share this experience with 40 of the most driven, passionate, and inspiring women I have ever met. I am very grateful for this chance and for Santa Clara University's School of Engineering, which provided me with the opportunities that helped me realize my love of aerospace engineering.”
http://www.brookeowensfellowship.org
Isabela Figueira ’18 (computer science and engineering) was selected by the American Society of Engineering Education Pacific Southwest Region as the recipient of the 2018 ASEE PSW Student Award.
She was nominated for this honor by SCU computer engineering faculty, who cited her intelligence, initiative, and drive to make advancements with broad impact. Enrolled in the University Honor’s Program, Figueira is also completing minors in mathematics and music. Yi Fang, assistant professor of computer engineering, said, “Her mathematical foundation gives her an exceptional ability to quickly grasp new concepts, and she frequently pushes herself to tackle new research areas, working independently to bring her own skills up to speed to make real contributions to group research.”
“It’s an honor to receive this award,” Figueira said. “Next year, I plan to attend graduate school in pursuit of a Ph.D. in computer science. I have participated in summer research projects, and I wish to delve deeper into computing. I also ardently believe we need more women in computer science—and we especially need more women with advanced degrees—so I hope to make a difference through my continuing in school and my future research.”