DesJardin Receives DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship

Ian DesJardin, a doctoral candidate in Dr. Christine Hartzell’s research group at the University of Maryland, College Park, has received a Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) to support his aerospace engineering research.

DesJardin’s current research in Hartzell’s Planetary Surfaces and Spacecraft Lab involves quantifying magnetically induced cohesion in ferromagnetic regolith--loose surface material--on asteroids. Previous work has included research on instabilities in space propulsion thrusters and cubesat development.

After completing his Ph.D., DesJardin hopes towork in a professional research laboratory setting, such as a NASA research center or in the National Laboratories. DesJardin intends to work on leading edge technologies which advance human presence in and knowledge of outer space.

Each year, the DOE CSGF grants fellowships to doctoral students whose education and research focus on using high-performance computers to solve complex science and engineering problems of national importance. Since it was launched in 1991, the DOE CSGF has supported more than 500 students at more than 70 universities. DesJardin is one of 26 first-year fellows for 2020.

DesJardin completed his B.S. in aerospace engineering and a B.A. in math at State University of New York-Buffalo, and is a recipient of a University of Maryland Flagship Fellowship.

Published September 28, 2020