North Carolina Space Grant is proud to announce its 2026-27 undergraduate research scholars, who will conduct exciting research that prepares them for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These competitive scholarships help students gain hands-on research experience aligned with NASA Mission Directorates, including human spaceflight, research and technology, and science.

This year’s awardees represent six different North Carolina universities. Their projects will engage with topics that range from black hole formation in distant galaxies to lunar agriculture and microbial adaptation in simulated microgravity.

“We’re proud to assist these undergraduate students as they begin their research,” said Sandy Canfield, assistant director of NC Space Grant. “Increasingly we are seeing students integrate AI and machine learning into their work, which echoes emerging NASA and industry priorities.”

Undergraduate Research Scholarship awardees perform their research at various locations, including their home campus, industrial sites, or government facilities. Throughout their STEM research journey, they will develop relationships with university mentors and NASA experts, a benefit highlighted by past scholars.

Meet the 2026-27 NC Space Grant Undergraduate Research Scholars:

Kensington Bell

North Carolina State University
Major: Biological Engineering

Project: Employing Transgenic LanM Plants to Isolate Rare Earth Elements from Lunar Regolit

James Atkisson

UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Astrophysics

Project: Developing an Automated Batch Optical Pipeline for the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network

Kelly Burger

North Carolina State University
Major: Aerospace Engineering

Project: Design and Testing of Radiation Resistant On-Orbit Computing Systems

Lillian Guilbeau

North Carolina State University
Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Project: Control Fins for Rocket Stabilization

Davon Michael

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical Institute State University
Major: Bioengineering

Project: Adaptation to Simulated Microgravity in Streptococcus mutans

Qwinton Hemphill

Elizabeth City State University
Major: Engineering Technology

Project: Design and Experimental Validation of a Lightweight Electric VTOL Aircraft for Planetary and High-Altitude Missions

Leah Worrill

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Major: Biology

Project: Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance in Space Habitats Using Nanostructured Silver Surfaces

Sally Lee

UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Biology

Project: Intercropping and Microbial Bioremediation in Regolith-Based Agriculture

Bradley Warren

UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Physics

Project: Developing User-Focused Optical Data Tools for the Next-Generation Skynet Robotic Telescope Network

Myka Thomas

Elon University
Major: Astrophysics

Project: The Cosmic Evolution of Galaxy Groups with JWST OutThere

Emma Ingram

Appalachian State University
Major: Physics

Project: How are long-term changes in the southeastern U.S. air quality and weather influencing the ability of atmospheric aerosols to modify regional solar radiation and clouds?

Cayden Tirak

Elon University
Major: Astrophysics

Project: Growing Giants from Green Peas: Black Hole Seeds in Compact Starburst Galaxies

NC Space Grant offers its congratulations to all of these students on their accomplishment.