NASA Nebraska Space Grant
Students 2024-2025
The NASA Nebraska Space Grant is proud of our funded students. The profiles below highlight the excellent research and aerospace workforce development activities being undertaken in Nebraska this year. For 2023-2024 profiles, click here.
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Michael Allen
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Michael Allen is a third-year PhD student in the Vascular Research Lab at UNO, working under the mentorship of Dr. Song-Young Park. He is focused on cellular and molecular physiology related to the progression and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Outside the lab and research activities, he enjoys golfing with friends and family.
Cody Anderson
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Cody Anderson is a third-year PhD student in the Vascular Physiology Laboratory at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His research interests encompass the effects of sedentary behavior on cardiovascular health and the development of technology for monitoring cardiovascular conditions. This includes work on cuffless blood pressure systems for wearable technology, image analysis techniques for vascular ultrasound, and applications of artificial intelligence.
Abaigeal Aydt
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Abaigeal Aydt is a student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Her research centers on MXenes and their application in developing textile-based supercapacitors. Within this research group, her interests are focused on innovation, enhancement, and the energy solutions offered by this project.
Jurgen Beller
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Jurgen Beller is a third-year student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he is studying Molecular and Biomedical Biology. As an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Denis Svechkarev's lab, his research focuses on developing new nanofibrous polymer-based materials with enhanced antibacterial properties for potential use in medical devices and space exploration.
Andres Benitez-Albiter
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Andres Benitez-Albiter is a first-year doctoral research assistant at the UNO Vascular Research & O2M Lab. He recently earned his master’s degree in health & kinesiology from UNO. His research interests include investigating the effects of space flight, sedentary behaviors, and elevated CO2 on vascular function.
Kolby Brink
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Kolby Brink is a Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, specializing in biomechanics. He holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology-Biomechanics with a minor in Biomedical Engineering from Boise State University and a master’s degree in biomechanics from UNO. As a doctoral research assistant in the Human Movement and Variability Lab, his research focuses on movement variability, sport movement analysis, and military biomechanics, with a particular interest in the biomechanics of soldiers during ruck marches. His academic journey and hands-on experience, including an internship at the Center of Orthopedic and Biomechanical Research, have fueled his dedication to advancing the field of biomechanics.