OU Engineering

Rachel Penner is a junior from Albuquerque, New Mexico, majoring in engineering physics with a specialization in aerospace. When she read about the Women in Research and Engineering Development scholarship in the Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics monthly newsletter, she decided to apply.  Upon notification that she was awarded the $1,000 WiRED scholarship from Emergent Space Technologies, she felt honored.  "I think it's great that Emergent Space Technologies is supporting young women engineers in a field that is traditionally so male-dominated," Penner said. Penner has always  been fascinated by aerospace, particularly outer space and space exploration. She chose to major in Engineering Physics with an aerospace engineering specialization to better understand the fundamental physical principles behind practical applications of aerospace engineering. She would love to someday work on a project to further crewed spaceflight to Mars and beyond. 

Justin Metcalf, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, has received a Young Faculty Award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. In recent years, commercial and military demand for using the electromagnetic spectrum has exploded. Mobile devices, digital audio and streaming platforms compete with military needs for communications and intelligence. Metcalf’s research project explores how the electromagnetic spectrum has become critically congested. “This is a spectacular honor and a very competitive award from the Department of Defense,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, OU vice president for research and partnerships. “To have the University of Oklahoma represented in this program is a boon for the university and the state for advancing defense and national security research.” “Just like your favorite radio or TV station, users of the electromagnetic spectrum traditional