• Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2026

• University of Texas at Austin, Aerospace Engineering, ‘28

• Host Institution: Hawkeye 360

I was around 12 years old when the concept of space had dug its fingers into the folds of my brain, and it has not let go since. While I had no clue what to label this curiosity for most of my life, I had always felt an obligation to never let it go — to foster and refine it. Sitting here writing this today, I now understand that burning curiosity inside of me to be a spark that would go on to blaze a trail towards what I now understand to be my calling as an Aerospace Engineer. As both a Sophomore and an undeclared major, I have heard many no's. The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship gave me a yes. I fully intend to exceed all expectations and dedicate my internship and my place here to furthering the PGS legacy of excellence.