SGAC is pleased to announce the winners of the SGFF 2024 NASA SCaN Scholarship for students and young professionals to attend the SGFF 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, April 5-8, 2024!

Congratulations Oliver and Bryce!

Oliver Chiriac

Oliver Chiriac is a M.Sc student studying mathematics at the University of Oxford, and is currently working on research related to the design and optimization of complex systems. He is interested in the applications of differential geometry and algebraic topology to modeling various aspects of space communications networks and biological systems. Last summer, he was a first-time intern at NASA in the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program under Dr. Alan Hylton. With his team, Oliver worked on developing a mathematical foundation for the proposed LunaNet and Solar System Internet (SSI) architectures, focusing on a multi-domain routing algorithm in Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) and a clock synchronization methodology for time-varying networks. Prior to this, he received his B.Sc in mathematics from the University of Toronto and has participated in research in astrophysics, symplectic geometry, and quantum field theory. He is becoming increasingly passionate about applying concepts from geometry and topology to physics and deep learning to contribute to the understanding and advancement of artificial intelligence systems.

“I am truly honored to have been awarded an SGAC scholarship to attend the Space Generation Fusion Forum. It is a pleasure to represent NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation group, and I look forward to learning from and engaging with leading professionals in the space industry. For me, this is a wonderful opportunity to understand some of the current problems we are facing and discuss possible ways to approach them moving forward.”

Bryce Lanese

Bryce Lanese is pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication Systems as part of Cleveland State University’s Electrical Engineering program. He will be working on a project-based thesis specializing in underwater wireless optical communication. Currently, he is co-leading a senior design project consisting of designing and implementing an automated RFID inventory system to be used in multiple laboratories across Cleveland State’s campus. Bryce spent last summer interning at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. He contributed to multiple projects aiding the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. These projects included assembling and decoding telemetry data for two CubeSatSim Lite units for classroom demonstration purposes and building MATLAB code that could plot antenna pattern gain measurements for ARISS’s L/S Band Antenna. He also has previous experience as an undergraduate research assistant tasked with designing and testing a backscatter device. At Cleveland State University, Bryce spends time in between lectures tutoring first generation undergraduate students in a variety of math courses. He is beyond excited to be a part of the Space Generation Advisory Council Fusion Forum and cannot wait to contribute.

“I am grateful to be awarded with the opportunity to attend the SGAC Fusion Forum. I look forward to sharing my ideas with other highly motivated students and young professionals. The experience gained through this event will be truly inspiring.”