NASA News

Mississippi Student Gabrielle Meeks Accepted for Unique NASA Internship at Goddard Space Flight Center

GREENBELT, Md., July 1 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Gabrielle Meeks, a Mississippi Valley State University student from Tutwiler, Miss., is spending this summer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., as a participant in the prestigious NASA Student Internship Program (SIP). In her sophomore year, Meeks is a computer science major.

SIP is designed for the exceptional student majoring in engineering, science or other related aerospace studies. Each participant is assigned a NASA scientist or engineer as a mentor and assists the mentor with his or her ongoing research. Students are expected to complete several hundred hours of research and present a research project before an audience of their peers and NASA personnel.

"I am excited to be able to get some hands-on experience in the world of computer science," Meeks said. "I hope to learn more about the key concepts of conducting research."

This year the program brings together 24 of this country's best and brightest for cutting edge research. Areas of study include astrophysics, artificial intelligence, earth systems science, interplanetary physics, materials analysis, cryogenics, space communications and more.

"This is a wonderful experience for a student," said Dr. Vigdor Teplitz, chief of Higher Education for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. "NASA's space program is just about the greatest show on Earth if you are a technical person and having these young eager people with fresh points-of-view and questions is good for NASA. It makes a productive summer for all."

With this program, NASA continues the agency's tradition of investing in the nation's education programs. It is directly tied the agency's major educational goal of strengthening NASA's and the nation's future workforce. Through this and the agency's other college and university programs, NASA will identify and develop the critical skills and capabilities necessary for future space exploration.

The 10-week program runs now through Aug. 8.

News media should contact Dewayne Washington of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Public Affairs Office for additional information.

For more info about SIP go to: http://university.gsfc.nasa.gov/programs/sip.jsp

SOURCE NASA

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