Mothers of Wisdom
Mother is a verb. It's something you do not just who you are!
Home Invites Members Groups Events Videos News Photos Blogs Polls Singles Forums Chat
Home > Career Content > Post Content

Gadsden State instructor earns NASA fellowship (12031 hits)


A Gadsden State Community College instructor is participating in a project at one of the world’s most innovative research facilities in the country: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. The prestigious laboratory implements programs in planetary exploration, earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance.



Audrey Webb, an instructor and division chair for Engineering Technologies-Calhoun, has been selected as a Faculty Fellow at the JPL this summer. She reported to JPL June 5 and will serve a 10-week fellowship.



“It’s such an honor,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement. I’ve wanted to do projects like this since someone from NASA visited my school when I was in the first grade. This has been a dream come true.”



Webb’s project focuses on the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitoring (SAM) system.



“I’m working with the electronics on the miniature gas chromatograph and the mass spectrometer,” she said. “They are components in the SAM that test for traces of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere for present and future spacecraft. Specifically, the components test oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other compounds.”



Her goal is to identify possible new components, test them in the atmospheric chamber, program the components and integrate to the SAM.



“Because everything is smaller and faster, we have to make sure SAM has smaller electronics with less power consumption at a lower cost,” she said. “It’s smaller and not as heavy to put on a rocket, and it’s more cost-effective. I’m really excited about being involved in this project.”



Webb qualified for the fellowship due to her education and experience. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master’s degree in engineering from Mississippi State University. She worked for several years as an engineer in two manufacturing facilities before becoming an instructor at Gadsden State six years ago. She is based at the College’s Ayers Campus in Anniston.



“Being able to do engineering in the field again is a wonderful gift,” she said. “I’m able to get a fresh new prospective that I can take to the classroom. I can’t wait to tell my students all about the new technology I’m working with. It’s cutting edge technology created by NASA.”



Though this is the first time Webb has been named a Faculty Fellow, she has done JPL projects in the past with her students, including a 2013 project testing organic compounds using water vapor.



“We have had several students who have interned at JPL as well,” she said. “For the SAM project, they wanted someone with an engineering background who can work with electronics. Our students have always done a great job but they needed someone with more experience for this particular project.”



In addition to the research and project work, Webb will also attend lectures by renowned scientists and visit the Goldstone Observatory in the Mojave Desert. The observatory’s complex includes satellites used to track and communicate with space missions.



“I’m so proud to be able to participate in this fellowship,” Webb said. “I plan to take advantage of everything offered this summer. It’s going to make me a better engineer and an even better educator.”



http://www.gadsdenstate.edu/
Posted By: Cheer Leader
Monday, June 12th 2017 at 2:15PM
You can also click here to view all posts by this author...

Report obscenity | post comment
Share |
Please Login To Post Comments...
Email:
Password:

 
Forward This Career Article Entry!
Career Content Home

(Advertise Here)
Most Popular Bloggers
lila robinson has logged 21164 blog subscribers!
brother marcus! has logged 2029 blog subscribers!
>> more | add 
Latest Photos
>> more | add
Latest Member Activity
lila robinson just answered a new question. 08:15PM
lila robinson just posted a blog entitled 'spirit alive magazine'. 08:12PM
john hunter just posted a blog entitled ' help businesses save in texas and you get paid'. 02:45AM
gwen lloyd just joined a new club (mother's in business). 05:51PM
john hunter just posted a blog entitled 'thanks to unicity the weight loss fat burning secret is out'. 03:18AM
prophetess karen pfeifer-kennedy just edited her profile. 11:58PM
edc creations just posted a blog entitled 'somebody's sinning in my bed by pat g'orge-walker '. 08:44AM
edc creations just posted a blog entitled 'christian fiction- somebody’s sinning in my bed by pat g'orge walker'. 04:55PM
edc creations just posted a blog entitled 'meet multi-award winning author… kimberley white'. 03:14PM
edc creations just posted a blog entitled 'meet author meleisa betts'. 11:37AM
edc creations just posted a blog entitled 'teen battles incest by monique d. mensah'. 10:59PM
edc creations just posted a blog entitled 'give the gift: pamela samuels young'. 11:23AM
>> more | invite friends