LSU students Sarah Dunn and Gabrielle Langlois were recently selected as Astronaut Scholars by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
The scholarship is awarded to students in their junior and senior year of college who are studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and who are planning to pursue research or advance in their field after finishing their final degree.
Dunn and Langlois are the seventh and eighth LSU recipients since 2015.
Dunn is a third-year Ogden Honors College student from New Orleans majoring in industrial engineering. Her current research involves working to reduce the overutilization of the 911 system. She has presented her research at LSU Discover Day and is also co-authoring a journal manuscript. She participates in the President’s Future Leaders in Research Program through LSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development.
Photo courtesy LSU
Dunn said the scholarship is an “acknowledgement that my aspiration to expand industrial engineering research and make it more accessible to workers in industry resonates with leaders across the STEM fields.”
Langlois, from River Ridge, is a third-year student who majors in environmental engineering. She is currently studying water samples and is designing water disinfectant experiments in hopes of providing better clean water access to communities. She is planning to travel to Nicaragua with Assistant Professor Samuel Snow to help bring clean water to a community in need.
Photo courtesy LSU
Langlois is “so thankful” to be a member of the Astronaut Scholar Class, and says the scholarship “enables me to meet other students and professionals in my field on my journey to become a better environmental engineer.”
Both students will receive:
– Up to $10,000 reward
– An expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the Innovators Gala in August
– Mentoring for one year by a C-suite executive, scholar alumni, or astronaut
– The opportunity to participate in the Professional Development Program
– Opportunity to participate in ASP events
– Membership in the Astronaut Scholar Honor Society
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was founded over 30 years ago by the six surviving astronauts of the Mercury 7 mission. Its purpose is to “help the United States retain its global position in technology and innovation by supporting the best and brightest scholars in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while commemorating the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts.”
Drew Lamonica Arms, the director of fellowship advising at LSU, said “We commend Sarah and Gabrielle for continuing the recognition of LSU STEM majors by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. As two of 50 students recognized by ASF, Sarah and Gabrielle are among the brightest and most talented STEM undergraduates in the nation.”
