Three °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ Students Earn Prestigious NASA Research Internships
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | Three outstanding (°ÅÀÖÊÓƵ) students, including two who will graduate on May 28, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious NASA New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC) Research Internship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Xyanna Fuentes, Gabriel Mendoza, and Vedi Patel represented °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ at the NJSGC Annual Affiliate Meeting held at Rutgers–Camden on April 25, 2025, where they showcased their innovative research alongside talented students from colleges and universities across New Jersey.
Under the dedicated mentorship of Dr. Moitrayee Chatterjee, a Professor of Computer Science whose research work focuses on Analytical Data Sciences and Engineering, these exceptional students demonstrated remarkable commitment, passion, and excellence throughout their research projects.
Gabriel Mendoza, a Computer Science major from Jersey City and graduate of James J. Ferris High School, will complete his degree in Spring 2025. His research focused on Crater Detection in Mars Environment.
Vedi Patel is a senior Biochemistry major from Union City who attended Jose Marti STEM Academy and will graduate in Spring 2026. Her research investigated Microbes in Space: Extreme Survivors for Future Exploration.
Xyanna Fuentes, a junior Computer Science major also from Jersey City, attended County Prep High School before joining °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ. Her research explored The Training of Lunar Lander with Reinforcement Learning Models.
"These students exemplify the talent, dedication, and scientific curiosity that we foster at °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ," said Dr. Chatterjee. "Their selection for this competitive NASA program speaks volumes about their abilities and potential for future contributions to their fields."
The is NASA’s educational arm in New Jersey for higher education, of the National Space Grant program. The program provides opportunities for students to engage in scientific research, fostering the next generation of STEM professionals while connecting them with real-world applications of their studies.
About °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ:
°ÅÀÖÊÓƵ is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey.
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Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301