Engineering Science Student Earns NASA Summer Internship
June 8, 2021
Edward Molina, who will be entering his second year in the college’s Engineering Science program this fall, was accepted in to the Summer 2021 NASA NY Space Grant Consortium summer internship, which brings together high achieving engineering and computer science college students from around the state.
Hosted by international aeronautics corporation Lockheed Martin, students will meet for 10 weeks to collaborate on project-based learning and problem solving. The internship comes with a small stipend and the chance to work with some of the brightest collegiate minds in the state. Although the experience will take place virtually, Edward said he’s excited to start.
“I’m just looking forward to working with others in a small group, picking their brains, seeing how they analyze and how they handle certain problems and how they go about solving them,” he said. “Just being able to work alongside the mentors and others who are in this field is going to be pretty valuable.”
Edward said his main area of interest is in computer systems engineering, which he hopes to pair with a dual major in computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after he finishes his Hudson Valley degree next year.
Professor Beth Ernest, who taught one of Edward’s freshman year classes, said she’s certain he will represent the college well this summer.
“I sent out an email to all our Engineering and Math/Science students alerting them of this internship opportunity on a Wednesday evening back in April, and the application was due that Friday afternoon. Edward emailed me 24 minutes after I sent that initial email with some follow-up questions, and, he obviously did what needed to be done to get his application in by the Friday deadline,” she said. “This is exactly how he approached the coursework in my class. He is extremely conscientious about getting his work done and he does excellent work. I'm sure those qualities have helped him achieve his perfect 4.0 GPA.”
A graduate of Columbia High School, Edward works in the college Learning Assistance Center, the tutoring center on the first floor of the Marvin Library Learning Commons. Education Specialist Aaron Nooney, who’s Edward’s boss, was happy to write a letter of recommendation for the internship.
“He is an excellent tutor, very eager to learn and support students,” Nooney said. “He has been flexible with his time when it comes to meeting with me and the students, especially remotely. Edward understands the material in a way where he can assist other computer science students. I’m very happy for him. This is an excellent opportunity.”