I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science (AI x Security) at Arizona State University's SEFCOM Lab, where I develop AI-augmented OS kernel fuzzing methodologies to discover deep-state vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel—the operating system underpinning DoD's cloud infrastructure. My research on Two-Dimensional Kernel Fuzzing (2D-KF) uses agentic flow to guide fuzzers past the shallow coverage plateaus where conventional tools stall, reaching the complex kernel states where critical bugs hide. I hold a B.S. in EECS from UC Berkeley (Regents Scholar, NSF S-STEM Fellow) and, as part of my thesis, I built Cyber-Sentient, an LLM-driven cyber-reasoning system for real-time vulnerability intelligence. I have conducted cybersecurity research at the U.S. Department of Energy's NREL, and, as part of a Silicon Valley startup, I contributed to a zero-trust security product, helping secure a $78M contract. My goal: making AI-driven security the standard for defending national infrastructure.

Doctoral researcher in aerospace engineering specializing in high-speed propulsion, detonation-based systems, and hypersonic experimentation. Drives propulsion system development from concept through hot-fire validation, integrating hardware design, diagnostics, and quantitative flow analysis. Committed to advancing next-generation propulsion technologies through rapid innovation, hands-on system integration, and collaborative, mission-oriented research.

I am an Arizona native and third-generation Sun Devil. I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry here at Arizona State University in 2022, and I am now a Ph.D. candidate studying under Prof. Nicholas Stephanopoulos. My research is centered around protein semisynthesis to integrate the programmability of DNA nanotechnology with bioactive molecules like proteins and peptides. Specifically, I am interested in making protein-based binders that could be used as a therapeutic both in civilian use or within the purview of national defense as a response to biological agent exposure.

Taylor is a third-year graduate student at the University of Central Florida Propulsion and Energy Research Laboratory. Her research has focused on fundamental multi-phase detonation for hypersonic propulsion applications.

I'm currently in the third year of my PhD at Arizona State University studying Materials Science and Engineering. My research focuses on perovskite solar cells, an emerging solar cell technology, and understanding how to mitigate different degradation mechanisms that occur under environmental stress testing. I like performing systematic studies to understand the mechanisms of why things happen, and I feel like this field gives me plenty of opportunity to do that. I'm passionate about advanced energy technologies, particularly as they relate to use in space, and figuring out how to make things work better. In my free time I love being outdoors, whether it's hiking, rock climbing, or skiing. That being said, I look forward to days in where I can relax and read a book.

Zahir is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at UNLV, advancing research on mobile reconfigurable cable-driven parallel robots designed for autonomous lunar excavation. His work directly supports NASA's Artemis program through collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center. This summer, he will intern at NASA Ames on rover sensor integration, applying his expertise to real-world space exploration systems. His research bridges cable-driven mechanisms, mobile base control, and lunar applications, reflecting his passion for space robotics and exploration technology.

Nate Dreyer is a second-year graduate researcher at the University of Central Florida's Propulsion and Energy Research Laboratory. Studying under Dr. Kareem Ahmed, he seeks to complete his Master's and Doctoral studies in the Aerospace Engineering field researching air-breathing hypersonic propulsion systems. He obtained his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Leadership Development from Penn State University in 2023.

My name is McKenna Dunmyer, and I am a Chemical Engineering PhD candidate at the University of Arizona under the supervision of Dr. Vicky Karanikola. My research focuses on the molecular-scale adsorption behavior of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to identify the mechanisms governing their fate and transport in environmental and biological systems. Through this work, I aim to support the development of sustainable remediation strategies that protect drinking water and public health.

My name is Cat Eno and I am currently finishing my 3rd year as a PhD student in Biology with a focus in hydrodynamics. I am interested in understanding how the body shapes of fish species impact their life history traits and their evolution. My current study species are remoras and tidepool snailfish. I am also interested in using what I learn about fish hydrodynamics to positively impact marine conservation, mainly through biotelemetry tagging.

My name is Liam Frank, and I am currently a physics PhD student at the University of Arizona. I grew up in Half Moon Bay, California and attended San Luis Obispo's California Polytechnic State University starting in 2018. In 2022 I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in physics before moving to Tucson, Arizona. I earned my Master of Science in physics from the University of Arizona in 2024. My PhD research now focuses on the design and construction of novel semiconductor laser systems for applications ranging from the strengthening of our national nuclear security to improving modern navigational systems. Advancing humanity's knowledge and well-being through scientific research is of great importance to me, and I look forward to continuing this mission throughout my ASCENDR Fellowship tenure.

My name is Arturo A. Garcia and I am a Mechanical Engineering PhD student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where I also earned my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering. Under the advisement of Dr. Alejandra G. Castellanos, my doctoral research focuses on the machine learning-guided design and thermo-mechanical evaluation of high-entropy ultra-high temperature ceramics (HE-UHTCs) for hypersonic thermal protection systems. My work, which is funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, bridges data-driven materials science with advanced finite element modeling and experimental validation. Beyond academia, I have gained valuable industry experience through engineering roles at Schneider Electric, El Paso Electric and TxDOT. I am passionate about leadership and workforce development, I have delivered additive manufacturing training to U.S. Department of Defense personnel and actively mentor undergraduate engineering students at UTEP.

Del is a researcher at the University of Central Florida, where he studies the fundamentals of detonations with Dr. Kareem Ahmed. Del hopes to use this knowledge of detonations to create high-speed rocket and plane engines to further the exploration of space.

I am pursuing a PhD in chemistry at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I am developing novel chemoselective reactions for amino acid side chains for applications in single-cell protein sequencing. I started my academic journey at Arizona State University, where I graduated with my bachelor's degree in biochemistry. I am originally from Arizona, having grown up in the Phoenix metro area.

Maya Elie Khoury, MS, is a doctoral candidate in the joint Arizona State University–Barrow Neurological Institute Interdisciplinary PhD Neuroscience Program and a research associate at the Barrow Neuroimaging Innovation Center, where she is completing her dissertation work. Her current work uses advanced diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of peripheral nerves to develop and validate quantitative imaging biomarkers. This work emphasizes the development of robust, reproducible imaging methods that bridge technical innovation with clinical application. She is particularly interested in multi-site harmonization, biological interpretation of imaging metrics, and improving noninvasive tools for assessing nerve injury, recovery, and treatment response. Ultimately, she is motivated by advancing approaches that are scientifically rigorous, enable more informed clinical decision-making, and translate into improved patient care.

Hi! I’m Ryan Lee a 2nd year PhD student in Data Science at NJIT. I did my masters in Data Science at NJIT and I received a Computer Science BS and a minor in Mathematics from Rutgers.

Rosa Elena is a first-generation college graduate Latina from the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. She is a 3rd year PhD student in Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago advised by Dr. Jarrad Hampton-Marcell. Her research focuses on parasympathetic activation effects on the gut-brain axis. Rosa Elena is the 2025-2026 president for the UIC graduate chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). She was selected as the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Latinos Graduate Student Awardee for 2026 for her leadership, mentorship and service to the Latinx community at UIC. She also volunteers with the Institute of Public Health of Mexico where she focuses on gender-based violence among high school students in the municipality of Xochitepec, Morelos, Mexico.

Cooper Mills is an Aerospace Engineering PhD student at the University of Central Florida, where he also earned his undergraduate degree. His research focuses on high-pressure, high-temperature combustion using shock tube experimentation and laser-based measurements, as well as chemical kinetic mechanism development. He has investigated the combustion chemistry of monomethyl hydrazine, ammonia, and hydrogen fuels. His work advances the development of high-performance propulsion systems for future aerospace applications.

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) within the laboratory of Dr. Evgeny Shafirovich. While my undergraduate research focused on CubeSat monopropellants and larger-scale LOX-CH4 bipropellant systems, my doctoral work centers on the synthesis and characterization of magnesium borides. I am specifically investigating their application in high-speed, air-breathing propulsion systems such as solid fuel ramjets or ducted rockets. Currently, my experimental work explores the preparation of solid fuels utilizing energetic additives I have fabricated, and their subsequent combustion in O2 and CO2 environments. To date, I have co-authored three peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, including two in Combustion and Flame.

Maria Olds is a PhD candidate (chemistry) at the University of Texas at Arlington (Advisor: Dr. Daniel W. Armstrong), focusing on liquid chromatography chiral and novel separations. Prior to PhD studies, Mrs. Olds worked in industry for 17 years, specializing in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. She initially worked in government research at MRIGlobal in Kansas City, and more recently for the Fort Worth Police Department Crime Laboratory as a seized drug analyst and blood alcohol toxicologist. Maria attained a Master of Science in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida, and has authored eight publications, with additional papers in review. Maria studies forensics-related topics as part of her PhD, and maintains membership in the Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS), the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), and the Southwestern Association of Toxicologists (SAT), as well as certification through the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC).

Alejandro is has completed two years in his PhD program studying aerospace engineering and has obtained a master’s along the way in the same topic this past May. His research has mainly focused on combustion of fuel particles and droplets.

Isha is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Her research interests lie in the intersection of blast physics, neuroscience, and deep learning. Isha works under the mentorship of Dr. Bryan Pfister studying the effects of blast injury on neuroinflammation while using deep learning techniques to characterize microglial response in animal models of injury. She hopes her work will lead to faster development of effective treatments and prevention methods against traumatic brain injury. During her free time, Isha enjoys working out, reading, and exploring new cuisines.

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso under the mentorship of Dr. Robert M. Pankow. My work focuses on the design and synthesis of semiconducting conjugated polymers incorporating spiropyran to develop multi-stimuli responsive materials with tunable optical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties. I am particularly interested in conjugated polymer applications and how structure-function relationships can be leveraged to modulate properties such as charge transport and electronic behavior. I have contributed to several publications within RSC journals, including Journal of Materials Chemistry C and Polymer Chemistry. I intend to pursue a career in industry, where I hope to translate my work in adaptive organic electronic systems into practical, next-generation technologies.

Valerie is an Aerospace Engineering PhD student at the University of Central Florida. She works as a Graduate Researcher at the UCF Shock Tube Facility under the direction of Dr. Subith Vasu. Her research focuses on high-speed fluid dynamics, propulsion, and optical diagnostics.

Spencer Smith is a graduate researcher at the University of Central Florida's Hyperspace Center of Excellence, under the advisement of Dr. Kareem Ahmed. His research uses modeling, experimentation, and flight testing to develop and understand detonation engines, especially the interaction between the fluid and solid phase.

I am a Ph.D. student in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida. My work focuses on the complex dynamics of detonation waves and Deflagration-to-Detonation Transition, employing high-speed diagnostic imaging to resolve the details of these combustion phenomena.

I received my B.S. Biochemistry from NMSU in 2024 and decided to stay for my graduate degree. My research is on fundamental f-element properties. Currently I am investigating the electronic properties of reduced rare earth-titanium nitride clusters.

Roberto Torres received his B.S. and is currently a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. His research focuses on developing swarm robotics systems with real-world applications in construction, education, and contested logistics. His work spans system design, sensing, electronics, and machine learning with a focus on building systems that stay reliable under real-world constraints. Outside the lab, he enjoys a good game of chess.