3 Interplanetary Initiative students awarded ASU/NASA Space Grant internships

The technological leadership majors will gain valuable experience participating in research projects, educational outreach activities


September 27, 2023

Three outstanding Arizona State University students with a passion for advancing our understanding of space will soon have the opportunity to extend their academic pursuits beyond the classroom by conducting cutting-edge research and contributing to groundbreaking initiatives that hold the promise of shaping our future in space.

Lindsey Tober, Elizabeth Garayzar and Matthew Marquez have each been selected as recipients of prestigious internship grants from the ASU/NASA Space Grant office, a member of the Arizona Space Grant Consortium. Three ASU students pose for a group photo. From left: Lindsey Tober, Matthew Marquez and Elizabeth Garayzar. Courtesy photo Download Full Image

NASA Space Grant is a nationwide program funded by NASA and designed to develop the young minds of STEM graduate and undergraduate students into thinking beyond the classroom by actively performing NASA-related research alongside a faculty mentor.

"These three students are richly deserving of such recognition, and they are understandably excited for the opportunity that comes with such a grant to conduct their own research. Lindsey, Elizabeth and Matthew will each have the chance to develop ideas that will ultimately realize real-world applications,” said Eric Stribling, a faculty member in the Interplanetary Initiative who will serve as a mentor to both Tober and Garayzar.

Lance Gharavi, a professor in the ASU School of Music, Dance, and Theatre and associate director of the Interplanetary Initiative, will provide mentorship to Marquez.

The ASU/NASA Space Grant office is led by Thomas Sharp, professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration. The ASU program is designed to support educational, research and public engagement projects that contribute to the advancement of the nation's science enterprise. Additionally, it plays a pivotal role in promoting greater diversity and representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

"ASU/NASA Space Grant has been a wonderful partner in helping us involve more undergraduate students in Interplanetary’s research into how space technologies might impact a more inclusive and sustainable future for our global community," Stribling said. "This is really a next-level opportunity for the students to make an impact by using the many innovative lessons learned in our degree program. Also, it’s a unique chance to enhance their skills in practical and interdisciplinary research in a hands-on, problem-solving environment."

Hailing from diverse backgrounds, each of the selected students is pursuing a degree in the Interplanetary Initiative’s technological leadership program, a unique degree that prepares students to answer tomorrow’s questions in the fields of science and technology.

Tober, a junior in the program, is working on a project called "Space for Humans," which aims to foster insightful discussions about the evolving space industry through weekly short-format videos showcasing key findings and developments from ASU Interplanetary Initiative research.

Tober expressed her gratitude for the unique opportunities that her technological leadership degree has provided.

"I’ve really struggled finding my own path around space, because I have so many different interests," she said. "This degree program has given me the confidence to pursue a career in space technologies and film, which no other degree offers."

Garayzar, also a junior, is working on the SpaceHACK project. This unique hackathon project focuses on leveraging satellite data to address pressing real-world issues spanning social, economic and environmental dimensions on Earth.

Garayzar expressed her enthusiasm for the interdisciplinary nature of the Interplanetary Initiative and the tech leadership program.

"The Interplanetary Initiative provides a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment that isn't usually found in a lot of space or engineering organizations," she said. "Tech leadership ensures that its students are being taught to think outside the box when it comes to the design of space technologies. And we're highly encouraged to think about how these technologies can also be used to benefit Earth and its inhabitants."

Garayzar’s project merges her passion for space and her desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. By utilizing space technologies and satellite data, she aims to map and monitor natural disasters in communities facing challenges. These maps can identify high-risk areas and enable the creation of early warning systems, ensuring the safety of residents.

Marquez, a senior in the program, is embarking on a self-directed research project titled "Exploration Of ChatGPT as a Research Tool for Exoplanet Detection and Analysis." This project harnesses the power of widely available AI tools, including ChatGPT, to inform research on identifying new extrasolar planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.

"Tech leadership and Interplanetary at ASU is a crucible for interdisciplinary research, seamlessly blending engineering, data science and even astrobiology," he said. "As a student, I've been able to work on real-world projects that challenge the status quo. This interdepartmental synergy is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges of space exploration and planetary sustainability."

Beyond advancing the field of AI in astrophysics, Marquez's project seeks to democratize access to complex data analytics.

“The excitement in this project stems from its interdisciplinary nature," Marquez said. "By tailoring ChatGPT to act as a research tool for nonexperts, we're not only advancing the field, but also empowering individuals to contribute to the larger scientific narrative."

‘Tears and cheers’: Alumni Association recognizes 50th anniversary of Sun Devil Volleyball


September 27, 2023

Before Mary Littlewood could speak, clutching a microphone as she stood in Carson Ballroom at Old Main, she first had to wait for the applause to subside.

A standing ovation had interrupted her message to the crowd. Or maybe it bought her time. Group photo of past members of Sun Devil Volleyball. ASU Volleyball players from the past 50 years came together at Old Main to celebrate the program's success. Photo courtesy the ASU Alumni Association Download Full Image

“I’m not even sure what to say,” the 89-year-old said with a chuckle before a crowd north of 100 attendees, all of whom stood to pay their respects to the first head coach in Sun Devil Volleyball history.

On an afternoon like this, in which past players, coaches and staffers gathered to celebrate the team’s 50th anniversary, it was necessary to pay extra respect to Littlewood, the woman who laid the foundation for volleyball at Arizona State University in the fall of 1973.

An emotional Littlewood encapsulated the magic of this year’s Affinity Reunion, an annual event held by the ASU Alumni Association to invite alumni of a particular school, academic affiliation, organization, club or group back to campus to reconnect and celebrate the legacy they shared at ASU.

It was a weekend, as some former players referred to it, that served as a perfect balance between “tears and cheers.” Old teammates gathered once more, trading stories and reminiscing on what it meant to be Sun Devils.

They convened for a two-hour luncheon on Saturday, plus an on-field recognition that evening at the Sun Devil football game.

But no event summarized the ascension of the volleyball program — and women’s sports at-large — more than the invitation to watch the Sun Devils beat Pac-12 rival Washington at Mullett Arena on Sunday.

To some, it was a sight they never thought imaginable.

Former players whose careers began in the 1970s remembered a different game-day scene. When they repped the maroon and gold, they played in PE East (now known as Bulldog Hall), a condensed, stuffy gymnasium with collapsed bleachers.

But today, Sun Devil Volleyball plays in the 5,000-person-seat Mullett Arena. Fans across the Valley nearly filled the stadium to see the red-hot Sun Devils, just days after recording a sell-out for a mid-week match against in-state rival Arizona.

How times have changed.

This was more evident than ever when, during the luncheon, five players from different decades took part in a panel led by emcee Paola Boivin. Nancy Corea (1977–80), Mindy (Gowell) Rich (198791), Sydney (Donahue) Sicoli (200407), Nora Tuioti Mariner (201114) and Shannon Shields (2020present) took to the stage to share their experiences of being a student-athlete, ranging from game-day traditions to class and practice schedules, traveling logistics, away matches and more.

Their experiences were drastic, and their responses drew laughter from the crowd. But sitting shoulder to shoulder onstage, their stories represented one common bond: These were all Sun Devils.

No matter the decade they played, they are Sun Devils for life, forever linked because of the contributions and efforts they made to make the volleyball program what it is today.

A weekend of celebration and reflection was felt among all participants, but especially for first-year Head Coach JJ Van Niel.

"The whole event was special, really humbling,” he said. “The turnout was unreal. I've been involved in some alumni stuff in the past, and it was far and away the best turnout I've ever seen. I was geeked out because you look, and it was like, every table there'd be like six or seven players from the same team, and this is from 20 years ago, from a long time ago. Decades have passed, and they're telling stories, and they're having fun, and they're still friends with each other. That's really special.

“You're going to have the rest of your life with this whole group, and as we know, at ASU, we've got a huge alumni network. That's really powerful for later in life because you need to lean on someone. You've got a support group, and it doesn't have to be just from your team. It's also from your alumni.”

Griffin Fabits

Marketing Copywriter, Alumni Association