NASA Nebraska Space Grant
Faculty 2025-2026
The NASA Nebraska Space Grant is excited to highlight our innovative faculty research projects this year. The profiles below highlight the excellent research and aerospace workforce development activities being undertaken in Nebraska this year. For 2024-2025 profiles, click here.
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Jae Sung Park
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Aerospace Club consists of undergraduate students from a variety of majors and backgrounds who compete at various NASA, AIAA, and other aerospace competitions. The Club helps NASA with the mission of developing space technologies for operations on other planets and with the mission of developing aeronautical innovations. Through different projects and outreach opportunities, the Club will provide students with experiences that are important for NASA internships, co-ops, and employment.
Derrick Nero
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Science Experimentation & Engineering Design (SEED) is a general education science course that introduces integrative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts and their applications. The course fosters 21st Century Learning through study and work in active, team-based experiential learning environments through all phases of near-space experiments using high-altitude balloon platforms. Near-space experiments (NSEs) require research question development, experiment hardware fabrication, experiment software integration, payload launch and recovery, data analysis, and formal experiments' results reporting. Applicable technology advances allow for researchers to conduct, collect, and store time-sensitive results at the moment of NSEs' retrieval. SEED Modernization will ensure results are collected and stored in the field eliminating data degradation or loss.
Carl Nelson
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Micro-g NExT team participates in NASA’s Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams program, where undergraduate students design, build, and test hardware to address real challenges in human space exploration. The team is developing a tool to support future Artemis lunar missions, using the full engineering design process from concept through prototype fabrication. The project culminates in testing at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, providing hands-on engineering experience while contributing to active NASA missions.
Maeghan Murie-Mazariegos
NICC - Nebraska Indian Community College
The NICC Solar Challenge is a hands-on, multi-disciplinary student competition designed to advance NASA's goals of inspiring the next generation of explorers and developing sustainable technologies. This project centers on the design, construction, and deployment of Solar Kat—a solar-powered catamaran vessel engineered by student teams using low-voltage solar and battery systems. Integrating principles of renewable energy, marine engineering, and collaborative problem-solving, the competition challenges students to develop functional vessel components, assemble a seaworthy craft, and test it under real-world conditions. Aligned with NASA's focus on Earth science, energy innovation, and workforce development, the project emphasizes teamwork, technical proficiency, and STEM engagement among Native students. Student teams will gain practical experience with solar technologies, hydrostatics, and fabrication techniques, culminating in a potential appearance at the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society's annual Solar Boat Regatta. This competitive platform encourages innovation, fosters confidence in sustainable design, and builds pathways for students into science, engineering, and aerospace-related careers. The NICC Solar Challenge not only empowers learners through project-based education but also reflects NASA’s commitment to inclusive excellence and sustainable futures on Earth and beyond.
William Loring
WNCC - Western Nebraska Community College
What if we could simulate a trip to another planet using off the shelf robotics and IoT kits that can be purchased almost anywhere in the world? All businesses, including NASA, are looking at ways to cut costs, while still delivering the best training experience.The WNCC Computer Science program integrates computational thinking, Agile Development, Github, robotics, algorhythmic problem solving, and other current software engineering techniques to prepare students for professional software engineering positions. Tyr, an open source Mars Rover, is a team project with Engineering, Math, Science and Information Technology students. This project gives the students experience in design, project management, electronic assembly, programming, 3D printing and problem solving.
Theodore Johnson
University of Nebraska at Omaha
"Code, Fly, Succeed" aims to create a workforce development program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds (e.g., low-income) that is relevant to NASA and/or aerospace careers. The program is open to all students and will provide participants with foundational knowledge and technical skills using drones to create viable pathways into STEM careers. It targets students within Omaha and offers meaningful exposure to aerospace content that aligns with NASA's educational priorities. In addition to technical training, the program will develop critical soft skills students need to succeed in the workforce. Hands-on, real-world applications will support student learning while fostering readiness for careers within NASA, the aerospace sector, and related industries. Program outcomes include the development of skills in drone operation, problem-solving, career exploration, and basic programming—particularly in Python. Student volunteers from UNO will be recruited through targeted outreach to STEM-related departments and student organizations. Recruitment will prioritize individuals interested in aerospace, education, public service, and community engagement. These volunteers and participants will benefit from mentorship opportunities, STEM education experience, and the development of leadership, communication, and project management skills that enhance academic and professional growth.
MD EZAZUL HAQUE
NICC - Nebraska Indian Community College
"Empowering Remote STEM Learning in the Life Sciences" expands access to hands-on laboratory science through the development of distance-learning lab kits for students at Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC). Designed for use in Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Toxicology courses, the kits support students across multiple campuses and online—many of whom are rural, Indigenous, or commuter learners with limited access to traditional lab facilities.
The kits integrate NASA-relevant themes, including microbial survival in extreme environments, human physiological responses to altered gravity, toxicant exposure and health risks, and chemical analysis connected to space exploration. By enabling safe, at-home experimentation, the project promotes equity in STEM education while strengthening practical laboratory skills.
This initiative aligns with NASA’s goal of building a diverse aerospace workforce by engaging underrepresented students in authentic, research-based learning. Student outcomes are evaluated through performance measures, surveys, and feedback, with an emphasis on confidence building, skill development, and preparation for advanced STEM pathways.
Martha Durr
NICC - Nebraska Indian Community College
"Strengthening STEM Engagement at NICC" focuses on expanding and strengthening STEM engagement opportunities for students at Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) through hands-on experiences in environmental monitoring, data analysis, and Earth observation science. The initiative emphasizes student participation in real-world scientific programs and the development of practical skills aligned with workforce pathways in environmental and Earth system sciences.
The project builds on NICC’s ongoing partnerships with organizations such as the NOAA National Weather Service, tribal environmental departments, the NOAA Climate Program Office, and the Platte Basin Timelapse Program. These collaborations provide a strong foundation for student involvement in data collection, assessment, and scientific communication. The project further seeks to establish partnerships with NASA scientists, particularly in the area of Earth observations.
A key component of the project is student exposure to in situ measurements and remotely sensed imagery, introducing learners to NASA-relevant data, tools, and research methods. Through these experiences, students gain insight into NASA science programming while strengthening analytical skills, environmental literacy, and interest in STEM careers. This project supports the development of a diverse and inclusive STEM pipeline by engaging Indigenous students in authentic, place-based scientific research.
Shane Farritor
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The JPL Mentored Crop Robot Senior Design Project focuses on the design and evaluation of a robotic system for crop inspection, tending, and harvesting in small-scale space agriculture environments. Mentored by an engineer from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the project investigates how compact, high-precision robotic mechanisms—inspired by miniature surgical robotics—can assist with routine plant care tasks in constrained and microgravity-analog conditions.
The design effort is informed by ongoing NASA plant growth research conducted aboard the International Space Station, where astronauts currently perform manual crop monitoring, maintenance, and harvesting. As future missions to the Moon, Mars, and deep space move toward longer durations, reducing crew workload and increasing system autonomy will be critical to sustaining reliable food production.
This project explores robotic solutions that could support these future missions by improving efficiency, consistency, and scalability of space-based crop systems. Through iterative engineering design, prototyping, and testing, the project contributes to the development of technologies that advance sustainable life-support systems for human space exploration.
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