Student Mitchell Wong receives Ohio Space Grant Consortium Fellowship

Student Mitchell Wong, from The Ohio State University Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been awarded an Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) Fellowship to pursue a mechanical engineering master’s degree in during the 2023-2024 academic year.

OSGC master’s fellowships are awarded to students who have demonstrated the ability and aptitude for advanced study in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics discipline. Wong will be awarded $20,000 for this fellowship, with the potential for an extension. The fellowship program is affiliated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Grant program, which ultimately aims to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects.

“It feels amazing to receive this award!” Wong said. “[I]t means a lot to me and shows me how much work I’ve put in the past few years!”

While pursuing his undergraduate degree at Ohio State, Wong began exploring the idea of furthering his studies with a master’s degree in order to increase his involvement in the aerospace industry. He wanted to gain more complex knowledge in the field.

“I have always been fascinated by space and flying,” he said, “Getting a master’s degree will help me get a foothold in the aerospace industry.”

Wong was previously an undergraduate research assistant in the Gas Turbine Lab, where he supported research on uncrewed aerial system (drone) injections into a commercial fan blade model. He will continue to work in this lab as a graduate student.

Two mentors have supported Wong during his research and fellowship journey: Kiran D’Souza, PhD, associate director of the Gas Turbine Lab, who was his advisor and encouraged him to apply for the fellowship; and Dusthyanth Sirivolu, a post-doctoral researcher on their team, who provided guidance.

original story by Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering communications staff