Teddy Hsieh, a graduate in chemistry and electrical engineering at UT Austin, has been nominated for a second year in the 2021 Astronaut Class by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).

This is a national award given to a select group of outstanding undergraduate students studying in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM). The Astronaut Fellowship recognizes STEM majors with exemplary academic performance, ingenuity, and a unique aptitude for research.

As an Astronaut Fellow, Teddy will receive:

• A scholarship up to $ 15,000
• The opportunity to represent UT Austin at the ASF scholarship technical conference
• Mentorship by a former academic, senior executive or astronaut
• Membership of the Astronaut Scholar Honor Society

“I am delighted to be reappointed as a Fellow Astronaut. Despite the obstacles presented by COVID-19, the mentorship, opportunities and scholarships provided by ASF throughout the past year have allowed me to pursue my research and student leadership aspirations, ”Hsieh said. “However, it was the support I received at UT Austin that opened the door to the Astronaut and Goldwater scholarships. Without the coordination provided by the staff at UT, the intellectual stimulation of my research mentor, Professor Seth Bank, or the detailed application advice from Dr Leanne Field, none of this would have been possible.

Astronaut Fellowships are awarded to students in their first or final year of college who intend to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree.

“Academically, I broadened my multidisciplinary studies. My background in physical and organic chemistry has been invaluable in developing a deeper understanding of chemical mechanisms hidden in complex processes, ”Hsieh said of his current research. “Once back in the lab, I look forward to completing the construction of the deposition chamber, calibrating the reaction parameters, and characterizing the selectivity of the deposition with atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. “

This year, ASF awarded 60 scholarships to students from 44 universities across the country.

To learn more about the scholarship and how to apply, visit provost.utexas.edu/awards/astronaut.