NASA Engineer Speaks at Physics Honor Society Induction

Editor's note: This article was written prior to University of the Sciences' merger with and into Saint Joseph's University and does not reflect the current, combined institution. References to programs, offices, colleges, employees, etc., may be historical information.

Four undergraduate students and two alumni were inducted into the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society in a virtual induction ceremony organized by Roberto Ramos, PhD, associate professor of physics and USciences Sigma Pi Sigma chapter advisor. The event featured guest speaker Gregorio Villar III, NASA Mars 2020 mission flight engineer.

Villar is the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Engineer of the Perseverance Rover that is currently exploring the Mars surface, and previously served as systems engineer for the Mars Curiosity Rover. He shared how his BS in Physics helped him achieve his career goals at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and brought his childhood dreams of space to life.

In addition to the Sigma Pi Sigma inductees, the first Society of Physics Students (SPS) Outstanding Service Award was given to Puratos Corporation by SPS Director Brad Conrad, PhD, for their long standing partnership with the Physics Wonder Girls Program.

Sophie Tomov, a graduate of the Physics Wonder Girls 2018 Camp, shared how the program changed her perspective on women and girls in STEM, sharing that the camp taught her that “microscopes can be pink and science is for everyone.”

Alumni Inductees:
Despina Nakos PHYS’20
Gabrielle Moss PHYS’20

Undergraduate Inductees:
Erik Cauley PHYS’22
Kunjal Dhanju PHYS’22
Ryan Hess PHYS’23
Nell Grabowski PHYS’23