Students

Conducting space research as an undergrad

Jeff Zehnder — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:34:50 +0000

Conducting space research as an undergrad Jeff Zehnder Mon, 01/26/2026 - 11:34

Diana Hernandez, a sophomore and first-generation student at the ��ý��, is conducting research on space dust impacts using data from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (PSP). As a Lattice Scholar, she models impact data collected by PSP’s magnetometer instruments, which detect signals from dust collisions. This work is part of the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship and Fundamentals of Undergraduate Research Program, offering hands-on research opportunities.

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Leading hands-on Earth research planning for life on Mars

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:29:45 +0000

Leading hands-on Earth research planning for life on Mars Jeff Zehnder Tue, 01/20/2026 - 11:29

A crew of astronauts wearing spacesuits look out across the reddish horizon, the rock formations unfamiliar, with no trails to guide them and incomplete maps. They are lost, once again, on Mars.

Human exploration of the red planet will present unique challenges, and a team of ��ý�� researchers are studying real-world human decision-making for Mars through a unique, Earth-based experience.

“When humans land on Mars, poor decisions can lead to loss of the mission and loss of life,” said PhD student Erin Richardson. “This work here on Earth is studying how to best design and support astronaut teams so they can be effective.”

Mars on Earth

Welcome to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), an analog astronaut research facility in the remote Utah desert. Operated by the Mars Society, the center gives scientists and engineers the opportunity to conduct complex experiments in a simulation space habitat.

Using MRDS, Richardson and Postdoctoral Scholar Aaron Allred, both from the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, are leading a major study on team function – and dysfunction – in isolated and extreme environments.

“Our team is looking at cognitive security. How do we protect people’s ability in the face of information threats like mis- and dis-information and how do teams make decisions based on incomplete information in extreme environments,” Allred said.

Astronaut Experiments

Alongside a broader team, Allred and Richardson designed a series of experiments and recruited 18 mock astronauts to live and work at MDRS under conditions that will match actual life on Mars. That included close quarters, little privacy, a requirement to wear spacesuit simulators when leaving the habitat, and lengthy communication delays – up to 40 minutes, when speaking to Mission Control.

A crew member on an EVA looking out across the landscape.

“Decision making of teams in extreme environments is understudied. There has been some work looking at other extreme, isolated environments, like submarine crews and Antarctic teams, but what is novel in our work is the ability to run replicable experimental trials,” Richardson said.

By splitting participants into separate groups and pairings, experimental trials could be repeated to see if results varied.

Although university research involving human subjects often relies on undergraduate volunteers, for this project, Allred and Richardson were able to recruit working scientists and engineers worldwide.

“We had almost 600 applicants,” Richardson said. “MDRS is very well known, and people want to go there. We had a goal of assembling crews that were as close in education, operational experience, and age to real astronauts as possible.”

Navigation Challenges

Once the crews were on site, they took part in outdoor navigation challenges that focused on human response when dealing with incomplete and conflicting information.

“In one experiment, one person had a map, one had GPS, and we always gave one of them incorrect information,” Allred said. “The teammates had to work together to solve where to go. Doing it as extra vehicular activities (EVAs) where they’re wearing a spacesuit outdoors also imposes a time pressure and gives perceived stakes, based on how long the life support system has before it runs out.”

When humans land on Mars, poor decisions can lead to loss of the mission and loss of life. This work is studying how to best design and support astronaut teams so they can be effective." -Erin Richardson

Subjects completed daily surveys on their experience and wore sensors to track their body’s physiological response, including a functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device to monitor brain function in real time. Team dynamics, alertness, and fatigue were also tracked.

“We’re still analyzing the data, but anecdotally, one crew stayed up super late their last night and in all three of their final EVAs they followed the wrong source of information. Fatigue is unavoidable, but measuring its impact allows us to better support operators,” Richardson said.

Research Impact

As they digest the data collected, both Richardson and Allred are excited about the potential impact of the research.

“This was an incredible opportunity to go out there and conduct experiments where there are more stressors than you can do in a laboratory while enforcing controlled experimental design in a space analog. We want to set a baseline of scientific understanding that can aid development of technological countermeasures,” Allred said.

The principal investigator for the grant is Research Professor Leanne Hirshfield in the Institute of Cognitive Science. Allred and Richardson are advised by Allie Hayman, an Associate Professor in Smead Aerospace.

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Inside the Internship: Kylie Auerbach, Texas Instruments

Michelle Wiese — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:04:29 +0000

Inside the Internship: Kylie Auerbach, Texas Instruments Michelle Wiese Wed, 01/14/2026 - 10:04

Kylie Auerbach
Senior, Electrical Engineering
Texas Instruments Systems Marketing Engineer Intern

Taking Initiative at Texas Instruments

In summer 2025, Kylie Auerbach (ElEngr'26) interned at Texas Instruments as a systems marketing engineer, where she was pushed technically, given a huge amount of autonomy, and understood what it felt like to work on the next generation of semiconductor technology.

“Getting to turn my technical work into tangible assets for the customers was amazing. It was fast-paced, collaborative, and exactly the kind of engineering environment that makes me excited to build a career in this field.” – Auerbach

Whether she was debugging the motor control boards or preparing for a customer webinar, Auerbach saw how valuable she could be to the project by coming in with potential solutions, organized data and next steps ready to go. She liked to stay one step ahead by doing more than what was expected and constantly listening for the next thing she could add value to.

Connecting Beyond the Project

Beyond the technical side, Auerbach emphasized the importance of building relationships.

“I would tell other students to be incredibly intentional about building relationships during their internship,” she said. She set a goal to schedule at least one networking lunch every week, allowing her to connect with engineers and mentors across the company.

“There will never be another time in your career when people are this open and willing to help you – take advantage of it.” – Auerbach

Get Involved

Kylie’s story highlights the impact of hands-on industry experience. The Engineering Career Hub is here to support students every step of the way—from resume reviews and mock interviews to internship connections and career fairs.

Learn more about how the Engineering Career Hub can support your journey.

Read more Inside the Internship stories.

Electrical Engineering student, Kylie Auerbach (ElEngr'26), stepped into the fast-paced world of semiconductor technology as a systems marketing engineer intern at Texas Instruments.

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Inside the Internship: Fernando Picoral, Google

Michelle Wiese — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:37:05 +0000

Inside the Internship: Fernando Picoral, Google Michelle Wiese Wed, 01/14/2026 - 09:37

Fernando Picoral, CompSci'26
Google, Software Engineering Intern

Designing for Scale at Google

In summer 2025, Fernando Picoral (CompSci'26) wrapped up his third internship at Google, where he learned that great engineering is as much about “designing for others” as it is about writing code. Over the years, he’s discovered that the best software doesn’t just work well — it scales, evolves and empowers others to build on top of it.

“Treat every internship like an opportunity to learn how the industry really works, both technically and collaboratively.” Fernando shared. “Focus on writing clear design documents and asking thoughtful questions early, even before you start coding.” – Picoral

At Google, Picoral found himself doing far more than debugging or implementing features. He spent time drafting technical design documents, weighing trade-offs and defending his decisions in design reviews, all while learning to communicate ideas clearly across teams.

“Designing reliable systems isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about creating solutions that can evolve over time and communicating clearly so others can build on them” – Picoral

Taking Ownership and Growing Through Feedback

Picoral encourages other students to embrace challenging projects and approach them with curiosity. In addition, Picoral has pushed himself by taking ownership of big projects, as he believes that this is where the best learning occurs — by stepping outside of your comfort zone.

“Seek feedback, iterate often, and remember that great engineers combine technical depth with strong communication and teamwork.” – Picoral

Having that mindset paid off. After three summers at Google, Picoral received a full-time offer to return as a software engineer after graduation.

Landing Your Dream Internship

Picoral’s journey with Google began before he ever set foot on the CU ��ý�� campus. He had dreamed of working there since high school — he was drawn to technology and, he admits, inspired by the movie The Internship.

During his first year at CU ��ý��, he applied early to a handful of big tech companies, determined to make that dream a reality.

“For my first Google internship in 2023, I applied as soon as applications opened,” Picoral said. “I interviewed in January and received my offer at the end of the month.”

That first role came through the Student Training in Engineering Program (STEP), a Google initiative designed for first- and second-year students. The experience became the foundation for his future internships, giving him the chance to grow both technically and professionally.

Finding Mentorship and Support

Picoral credits his preparation and success to both mentorship and consistent practice.

“One of my freshman-year roommate’s dads worked at Google for many years,” he said. “He gave me valuable tips and even did a mock interview with me, which really helped me understand what to expect.”

Beyond that, Picoral focused on building a strong resume through meaningful projects and experiences that demonstrated his skills in action.

Get Involved

Fernando’s story highlights the importance of taking initiative, communicating clearly, and learning from every challenge. The Engineering Career Hub is here to support students every step of the way. From resume reviews and mock interviews to internship connections and career fairs.

Learn more about how the Engineering Career Hub can support your journey.

Read more Inside the Internship stories.

In his third Google internship, Fernando Picoral (CompSci'26) learned that great engineering goes beyond coding—it’s about designing systems that scale, evolve, and empower others.

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Inside the Internship: Darwin Hanson, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services

Michelle Wiese — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:34:06 +0000

Inside the Internship: Darwin Hanson, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 22:34

Darwin Hanson
Senior, Environmental Engineering
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
Environmental Intern

Learning By Doing

Darwin Hanson (EnvEngr'26) embraced the challenge of stepping outside her comfort zone during her internship at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services. While she began the summer with a clear role as an environmental intern, she didn’t let her title limit her experience. Hanson actively sought out projects beyond her direct responsibilities, diving into a variety of disciplines, from environmental site assessments to geotechnical fieldwork.

“You get out what you put in, especially with internships. The more energy you put in and the more questions you ask, the more you’ll gain from it. Don’t be afraid to ask for more work or to try something new that seems interesting.” – Hanson

Throughout the internship, Hanson contributed to Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, gaining firsthand experience interpreting technical data to assess potential environmental risks. But she didn’t stop there—she also joined fieldwork projects, including performing geotechnical soil borings, and exploring areas she hadn’t anticipated working in. These experiences expanded her perspective on the environmental engineering field and opened doors to future possibilities she hadn’t previously considered.

Building Skills and Relationships

While Hanson gained invaluable technical experience, she also understood that engineering is about more than analysis and data — it’s about collaboration, communication and connection. She made a point to engage with colleagues beyond her immediate team and emphasized the value of asking questions, seeking feedback, and learning from others in the field.

“The best advice I could give is to network and put yourself out there. Ask colleagues to have coffee chats, and talk with them about their experience in the industry or any advice or connections they have.” – Hanson

Hanson also credited LinkedIn and CU ��ý�� career fairs for helping her find opportunities, setting goals to apply consistently and reaching out to professionals to learn more about their work.

By the end of the summer, Hanson had not only developed her technical skillset but had also learned how to navigate the professional world with confidence and curiosity. Her initiative, both in the field and in the office, helped her gain more from the experience than she ever expected.

Chart Your Internship Path

Darwin’s story highlights the impact of hands-on industry experience. The Engineering Career Hub is here to support students every step of the way — from resume reviews and mock interviews to internship connections and career fairs.

Learn more about how the Engineering Career Hub can support your journey.

Read more Inside the Internship stories.

Environmental engineering student Darwin Hanson (EnvEngr'26) pushed beyond her environmental intern role at Langan Engineering, taking on diverse projects from site assessments to geotechnical fieldwork to broaden her skills and experience.

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Inside the Internship: Gabriel Wardall, Lockheed Martin Space

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:27:40 +0000

Inside the Internship: Gabriel Wardall, Lockheed Martin Space Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 11:27

Gabriel Wardall
Senior, Electrical Engineering
Lockheed Martin Electrical Engineer Technician

From Lawns to Launch Systems

Gabriel Wardall (ElEng'26) has used his experience and expertise from all aspects of life to gain career success. Wardall interned with Lockheed Martin's Deep Space Exploration division for the past four years as an electrical engineer technician, landing the role by giving back to his community. Wardall is a prime example of utilizing your resources and connections wisely.

Wardall attributes his success in landing his internship to networking with next-door neighbors. Reaching out to neighbors in his community for recommendations and reconnecting with neighbors whose lawns he mowed in high school resulted in being able to network directly with managers who had a say in the hiring process. His time and participation in clubs and non-profits further prepared him for landing his internship. A combination of giving back to his community, hard work, and reaching out to anyone he thought could provide a meaningful connection led to his breakthrough.

“It honestly takes so much to get started on communicating or getting a network, but once you get one they can help you in so many ways. I built my network before, during, and after my internship. You never know who your friends or coworkers know, and it does not hurt to ask.” – Wardall

Efficiency and Excellence

Above all else, Wardall highlights the importance of proving your worth in the workplace. While networking got his foot in the door, working efficiently is what led him to continue interning with Lockheed Martin's Deep Space Exploration division for four consecutive years.

"Focus on delivering quality work consistently and being someone your team can rely on. That's what turns a summer internship into a four-year relationship." – Wardall

Wardall took on a multitude of projects at Lockheed, from building spacecraft simulation hardware to assembling test stands and inflatable habitats. Although his title was Electrical Engineer Technician, shifting priorities and national policy often pushed his work into systems-focused tasks. However, Wardall made do by taking away new experiences with Linux systems, electrical simulation behavior, data analysis and working on multiple projects at once in a corporate environment.

Making Every Connection Count

His involvement in clubs and non-profits during college didn't just build his resume – it expanded his circle of connections and taught him how to work collaboratively.

His four-year journey with Lockheed Martin's Deep Space Exploration division stands as proof that success comes from the combination of genuine relationships, consistent excellence, and a willingness to take on new challenges, even when they look different than what you originally expected.

Get Involved

Gabriel’s story highlights the impact of hands-on industry experience. The Engineering Career Center is here to support students every step of the way—from resume reviews and mock interviews to internship connections and career fairs.

Learn more about how the Engineering Career Hub can support your journey.

Read more Inside the Internship stories.

Electrical engineering student, Gabriel Wardall (ElEng'26), turned community connections into a four-year internship with Lockheed Martin’s Deep Space Exploration division.

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Inside the Internship: Nabor Alvarez, Tensentric

Michelle Wiese — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:57:51 +0000

Inside the Internship: Nabor Alvarez, Tensentric Michelle Wiese Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:57

Nabor Alvarez
Senior, Integrated Design Engineering
Tensentric Engineering Intern

From One Connection to Tensentric

What started as a simple networking moment quickly became a pivotal connection with a founder of Tensentric for Nabor Alvarez (IntDesEngr'26).

Alvarez’s experience at Tensentric was incredibly rewarding. The culture was welcoming, collaborative and fast-paced, which meant that every day brought something entirely new for Alvarez. One day he was conducting user interviews to refine device usability; the next, he was scuba diving to immerse himself in the user experience for another project.

Growing Through Real-World Design

When Alvarez wasn’t in the field, he was diving into design reviews, learning from experienced engineers, and spending hours CAD modeling and prototyping new concepts.

“It felt like each day revealed a new CAD trick, a real-world engineering principle, or a story that reshaped how I thought about design.” – Alvarez

From his time at Tensentric, Alvarez learned that growth doesn’t wait for the “right moment”—it happens in the middle of busy days, unexpected tasks and conversations with the people around you. Every day he learned new tips, applications and backstories.

One Meeting, Big Impact

And all of it began with a single networking moment. Alvarez agreed to meet his TA’s father, not knowing he was one of Tensentric’s founders. That one connection opened the door to an unforgettable experience.

“If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer, it is to take every opportunity to network, because you never know which conversation will change your trajectory. At worst, you can walk away with a new connection that could prove valuable down the line.” – Alvarez

Get Involved

Nabor’s story highlights the impact of hands-on industry experience. The Engineering Career Hub is here to support students every step of the way—from resume reviews and mock interviews to internship connections and career fairs.

Learn more about how the Engineering Career Hub can support your journey.

Read more Inside the Internship stories.

At Tensentric, Nabor Alvarez (IntDesEngr'26) thrived in a dynamic, collaborative culture where no two days were the same. From conducting user interviews to improve device usability to scuba diving for hands-on user experience, his internship offered unique challenges and rewarding opportunities to innovate.

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CU Engineering students join inaugural Apple mentorship program

Caroline Harrah — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:42:12 +0000

CU Engineering students join inaugural Apple mentorship program Caroline Harrah Wed, 12/10/2025 - 12:42

Caroline Harrah

Engineering students at the ��ý�� have been selected for Apple's inaugural Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program, which provides one-on-one guidance from Apple engineers to help students prepare for careers in the tech industry. CU ��ý�� is one of approximately two dozen universities nationwide chosen for the competitive program.

The eight-month program pairs engineering students with Apple engineers for one-on-one mentorship in hardware, software and manufacturing.

"This partnership showcases how CU Engineering connects our students with industry leaders to build the technical and professional skills demanded by today's technology sector," said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. "Our students will gain valuable insights directly from Apple engineers while developing the networks crucial for launching successful careers."

Selected students meet monthly with their Apple engineer mentors from whom they’ll receive personalized guidance, as well as participate in periodic virtual events. The program covers career development from resume writing to technical skills, with each pairing matched to the student's career goals.

Mentorship includes exposure to Apple's product development process and opportunities to tackle real engineering problems. Students will build skills employers want: technical communication, project management and team collaboration.

2025-26 Apple Next-Gen Innovators Program Cohort

Rocco Antoniou
Matias Blanco
Peter Hindes
Cam Mead
Jack Miller
Naren Musthuri
Erick Quintana
Javier Schimming
Lucas Schultz
Alexander Van Thuyne
Zach Weinberg

The program helps students stand out in competitive job markets by providing practical experience alongside their coursework while building their professional networks. Recent CU Engineering graduates at Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon say industry partnerships like this one have prepared them for success.

"Learning from professionals at one of the world’s leading tech companies is an opportunity I’m genuinely excited about," said Matias Blanco, a mechanical engineering student at CU ��ý��. "I’m gaining real insight into how to be competitive after graduation, what the job landscape truly looks like and the behind-the-scenes work engineers do every day. I’m grateful for the opportunities Apple and CU ��ý�� have opened up, and I look forward to learning and collaborating with my mentor and cohort.”

The Apple Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program runs through spring 2026.

In partnership with campus Career Services, CU Engineering collaborates with hundreds of companies each year to offer internships, experiential learning opportunities, networking events, research experiences and capstone design projects that prepare students for successful careers after graduation. Learn more about the Engineering Career Hub and its services.

Apple has chosen CU ��ý�� as one of a select group of universities for its new Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program, connecting engineering students with Apple engineers for personalized career mentoring and hands-on exposure to real-world product development.

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Wind tunnel research could help predict how wildfires spread

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:35:37 +0000

Wind tunnel research could help predict how wildfires spread Alexander Jame… Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:35

PhD student Laura Shannon, alongside Professors Greg Rieker and Peter Hamlington of the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering are setting fires inside wind tunnels to gain a better understanding of how fire spreads across different terrain. The team says their findings could help keep communities safer in a world where climate-driven wildfire is becoming more common—and more dangerous.

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PhD student earns top award for video showing hidden odor patterns

Susan Glairon — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 23:26:01 +0000

PhD student earns top award for video showing hidden odor patterns Susan Glairon Wed, 12/03/2025 - 16:26

Susan Glairon

Elle Stark, a PhD student in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, was recently awarded a prestigious Gallery of Fluid Motion (GFM) Award for a video describing her research.

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