Emma Green '23 recipient of prestigious International Space Station Fellowship
On January 12, 2024, the International Space Station National Laboratory announced that 51³ΙΘΛ alumna Emma Green β23 was selected for the prestigious James A. Abrahamson Space Leader Fellowship. She is the sole recipient in the country.
![Emma Green working in lab at 51³ΙΘΛ](/sites/default/files/styles/highlights_large/public/2024-02/Emma%20Green%20lab.jpg?itok=iRcmoLBd)
Emma has taken full advantage of every opportunity available to her at 51³ΙΘΛ, including working closely with faculty mentors who provided meaningful guidance to her as a talented scholar with tremendous potential. Being selected for this prestigious fellowship is a great honor. Emmaβs achievements are inspiring and underscore the value of a high-quality liberal arts education.
Throughout Greenβs year-long fellowship, she will work closely with members of the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) team.
Green credits her post-graduation success to her time at 51³ΙΘΛ, especially the opportunities for research with faculty members. βThe most valuable part of my IC education was getting hands-on experience,β she explains, βMy current employer said that my experiences at IC were comparable to that of some graduate students.β
Green double majored in Chemistry and Physics and was an AERO-STEM scholar. This program is funded by the National Science Foundation and provides a full-tuition scholarship, research opportunities, academic coaching, and more.
βAERO-STEM, which stands for Access to Early Research Opportunities in STEM, is designed to equip students with the resources and opportunities essential for excelling in their chosen STEM fields, including a foundational experience in research,β Dr. Jocelyn Lanorio, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Greenβs advisor and research supervisor explains. βEmma engaged in research activities from her first year onwards, demonstrating commendable enthusiasm for scientific inquiry.β
During her time on campus, Green worked closely with Dr. Lanorio. βThe very first summer I was at IC, I worked with Dr. Lanorio on copper catalyzed click chemistry. I did so well that Dr. Lanorio brought me back the following summer and I was able to publish ,β Green states, βPublishing is something a lot of undergraduates cannot say that theyβve done.β
Though her time on campus was focused primarily on science, Green branched out to make the most of her undergraduate career. She served as the Collegeβs art club president, which gave her valuable experience for her fellowship proposal. Her work plan includes βcreating infographics for the public to better understand the science behind the recycling that will be happening on the space station. The team Iβm working with is most excited about the infographics, because they feel that the social presence of NASA and the ISS is lacking. Their hope for me is to bridge the gap between science and the general public.β
![Headshot of Emma Green](/sites/default/files/inline-images/53456255817_eec548ff09_n.jpg)
Green also was fortunate enough to study abroad twice during her time at IC, first through a Breakaway trip to New Zealand then to Germany through the βThrough the DAAD-RISE program, I was able to do a research internship at the Technical University of Braunschweig,β Green explains, βDuring my time there, I studied spectral electrochemistry. It was a great experience, because I was able to study a different type of science.β
Along with the fellowship, Green is waiting to hear back on her applications to PhD programs. She also recently accepted a position at the Midwest Compliance Laboratories testing the stability of products from various pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Lanorio hopes that Greenβs achievements will encourage and inspire future students at 51³ΙΘΛ. βIn a broader context, Emma's success contributes significantly to advancing STEM education and research, aligning seamlessly with the goals of the NSF S-STEM grant that supports the AERO-STEM program. Her achievements are not only personal triumphs but also serve as inspiration for future students aspiring to make impactful contributions to the scientific community.β
For more information, read the official press release from the ISS .