NC Space Grant Congratulates 2025-2026 Undergraduate Research Scholars
North Carolina Space Grant is proud to announce its 2025-2026 undergraduate research scholars. Scholars will conduct exciting research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Awardees will engage with topics that range from dark matter to lunar regolith to nuclear thermal propulsion.
“We’re excited to support these undergraduate students beginning their independent research,” said Sandy Canfield, assistant director of NC Space Grant. “These North Carolina students’ research in STEM fields apply to NASA’s Mission Directorates and will provide invaluable experiences they can apply to their future academic and career pathways.”
Undergraduate Research Scholarship awardees perform their research at various locations, including their home campuses, industrial sites, and government facilities. Throughout their STEM research journey, they develop relationships with university mentors and NASA experts, a benefit highlighted by past scholars.
The 2025-2026 NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholars are:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Astrophysics
Project: Identifying and Validating Young Exoplanets
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Major: Physics
Project: Emulsion Plate Analysis & Dating Project
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Astrophysics
Project: Probing the Nature of Dark Matter with James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Winston-Salem State University
Major: Medical Laboratory Science
Project: Bioleaching of Lunar Regolith Simulants Study
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T)
Major: Bioengineering
Project: Adaptation to Simulated Microgravity in Streptococcus mutans
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Physics
Project: Adding New Radio Data Products to the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network
NC State University
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Project: Design and Construction of Aeroelastic Wing with Active Stiffness Control using Fluidic Artificial Muscles
NC State University
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Project: Design of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor Cores with Monte-Carlo Methods
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T)
Major: Biology
Project: Genetic Adaptations of Streptococcus mutans in Simulated Microgravity: Implications for Astronaut Health
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Physics
Project: Using Transmission Spectroscopy to Measure the Masses of Young Exoplanets in the Era of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
NC Space Grant offers its congratulations to all of these students on their accomplishment.
