Overview
NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) is a program that provides community college students with hands-on NASA experience, mentorship, and educational resources to explore careers in aerospace. Participants engage in workshops, virtual and on-site learning, research exposure, and networking opportunities that support academic transfer and career development in STEM. Learn more at the official NCAS website.
- In January 2021, I participated in NCAS’s first program where I submitted a final project explaining NASA’s solutions to space habitability challenges.
- In July 2021, I participated in Virtual NCAS (the second phase of the program) where my team created a Lunar Habitat Concept to support long-term human presence on the Moon.
- In July 2022, I was selected to attend the NCAS Mission 3 at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), where my team designed wheelchair accessibility solutions on future eVTOL aircraft such as Air Taxis. I served as the systems engineer, designing the mechanical system and coordinating with other team members to ensure seamless integration of all components.
Virtual NCAS
In July 2021 I participated in Virtual-NCAS, where my team developed a Lunar Habitat Concept to support long-term human presence on the Moon. I contributed to the concept design and systems integration, including layout, habitability considerations, and coordination of team deliverables.
Mission 3 at NASA Armstrong
In July 2022, I was selected to attend NCAS Mission 3 at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, where I led the Engineering sub-team during a NASA Armstrong center program developing wheelchair-accessible seating for eVTOL systems.
- Designed a fold-flat seating mechanism to enable autonomous docking for wheelchairs, integrating mechanical and automation features.
- Shadowed NASA professionals—including a principal investigator and a Pathways intern—and toured advanced eVTOL research facilities.
