2019-2020
Kailey Casper – University of Northern Iowa
Understanding the Flow of Organic Compounds through the Wind Cave System in South Dakota
The Wind Cave System is being used as a model to understand energy flow and the carbon cycle in cavern systems as an analog to caverns on other planetary bodies. Read more
Zachary Conroy – Drake UniversityAstronauts often suffer from reductions in cardiorespiratory and muscle endurance associated with microgravity. To combat these reductions in fitness, astronauts utilize fitness equipment on the International Space Station on longer stays at the station. Read more
Brandon Crow – Iowa State University
Flutter Prediction using Multi-fidelity Modeling
Aerodynamic flutter is a crucial design problem to avoid during the design of aerospace vehicles. Flutter is both difficult to predict and dependent on several design parameters, making it an important research topic in both academia and in industry. Read more
Ben Dankle – Iowa State University
Maximizing Plant Growth in a Drought Stressed Environment by Exploiting the Root Microbiome
As the world continues to grow in population the demand for higher crop yields will continue to grow. Droughts are increasing in frequency and intensity, and drought conditions can significantly decrease crop yields. The focus of this research is to help plants withstand drought stress by exploiting beneficial interactions with bacteria. Read more
Joshua Doucette – University of Iowa
Identifying Cases of Radial Diffusion Driven Acceleration in Earth’s High-Energy Radiation Belts
Chorus is a type of electromagnetic wave. Chorus waves can resonate with and accelerate Earth’s radiation belt electrons to relativistic energies. If electrons in Earth’s magnetosphere accelerate quickly enough, we say that the electrons experienced an enhancement. Read more
Trace Johnson – Drake University
MISSFIT (Magneto-Ionization Spacecraft Shield for Interplanetary Travel)
Our collaboration’s research consists of designing a method to protect astronauts from interplanetary radiation that they will encounter on the trip to Mars. The acronym MISSFIT stands for Magneto-Ionization Spacecraft Shield For Interplanetary Travel. Read more
Gabrielle Ledesma – Iowa State University
Modern lakes as analogues to Gale crater deposition on Mars
The Gale crater on Mars, which once contained a redox-stratified lake, is currently being investigated by NASA’s Curiosity Rover. The ChemCam instrument on Curiosity found ~3% of Gale crater rocks have manganese (Mn) abundances greater than ~3 times expected for martian basalt values (0.4 wt% MnO). Read more
Abbie Moore – University of Iowa
Collecting Physiological Data During Live Flight Tests
Live flight presents a dynamic environment where many current systems have not been tested for fidelity. Through the use of unique jet trainers and physiological data collection devices, we are able to track real-time changes in a pilot’s responses. Read more
Kawther Rouabhi – University of Iowa
Identifying and Tracking Solar Wind Ions in the Martian Magnetosphere from MAVEN Spacecraft Data
Emily Silich – University of Iowa
HaloSat Observations of the Vela and Puppis A Supernova Remnants
I am performing an investigation into the soft X-ray spectra of the Vela and Puppis A supernova remnants with HaloSat data. The Vela SNR is among the brightest and largest sources in the soft X-ray sky, with a diameter of approximately 8 degrees. It is estimated to be a middle-aged SNR with its primary X-ray emission being due to two thermal components of heated interstellar cloud matter.Read more
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Adaptations to Strength and Endurance Training in Mice
Astronauts’ health is significantly threatened due to the negative consequential effects of being subjected to a microgravity environment, especially as mission durations increase and future explorations to Mars are developed. Read more
Measuring Gratings Made with Electron-Beam Lithography
X-ray spectra offer a wealth of information about the physical conditions around black holes, the hot gas surrounding galaxies, and stellar coronae. Getting these spectra, however, requires making precise X-ray gratings. These gratings must have grooves many times smaller than a human hair, and placing them at the sub-nanometer level. Read more