United Technologies Research Center graduate research fellows named

A student whose work could further exploration of moons, comets and asteroids and another who is working to engineer a photosynthetic bacterium are this year’s recipients of United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) graduate research fellowships.

UTRC, the central research organization of United Technologies Corporation, endowed a fellowship in sustainable energy in 2011, and the next year doubled its commitment with an endowed fellowship in aerospace systems. UTRC, the central research organization of United Technologies Corporation, said the fellowships exemplify the company’s commitment to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives across the globe.

This year’s fellowship students are Ross Allen, a PhD candidate in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Stacey Shiigi, a PhD candidate in the department of Bioengineering.

Allen conducts research on controlled mobility in low gravity environments. This work is critical for the on-ground exploration of smaller celestial bodies such as moons, comets, and asteroids – bodies that provide important insights into the history of the solar system and also the search for planetary habitats.

Shiigi is part of a group that aims to engineer a photosynthetic bacterium that will use sunlight to produce molecular hydrogen, a potential next-generation fuel. Her individual focus is on engineering the key enzyme used to couple the photosynthetic pathway.

“UTRC continues to partner with leading universities like Stanford to ensure that the U.S. keeps leading the world in research areas like aerospace and sustainable energy,” said David Parekh, vice president, research, and director, United Technologies Research Center. “We are very pleased with the selection of Ross and Stacey and are sure they can make great contributions in these areas.”