2008 Space Grant Intern Matt Bunting's six-legged robot has wowed robotics fans and the electronics industry since he built it as a class project in 2009 while an undergraduate in electrical and computer engineering.

Two UA student teams from the University of Arizona are conducting experiments in zero gravity this week as part of NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. The teams are among 14 from universities across the nation whose projects were selected by NASA.

During two internships sponsored by NASA's Space Grant program, Martha Mosqueda worked with professors Nobuko (Kay) Hongu and Barron J. Orr studying ways to promote fitness using geospatial technologies. Image Credit: Martha Mosqueda

Staying active and eating right are important parts of leading a healthy lifestyle. But getting enough exercise can be difficult. Through two internships sponsored by NASA's Space Grant program, Martha Mosqueda is finding new ways to increase habits encouraging physical activity and healthy nutrition in youth. 

In which NASA student opportunity projects did you participate, and how did you get involved in them? 

I started working with Dr. Nobuko (Kay) Hongu (assistant professor and nutrition extension specialist, Department of Nutritional Sciences, the University of Arizona) in the spring of 2008, and shortly after with Dr. Barron J. Orr (assistant professor in the Office of Arid Lands Studies at the University of Arizona; Geospatial Extension Specialist; and UA/NASA Space Grant associate director). While working with Hongu and Orr, I met and worked with three outstanding Space Grant interns. They introduced me to the idea of using geospatial technologies to encourage physical activity in youth at risk of overweight and obesity. Then, I applied for the internship and was given the opportunity to continue for a second year at the University of Arizona with a NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Internship. 

Explain the research you conducted through your NASA involvement and why this topic is important. 

The first year of the internship (2008-2009), I participated in the project Using Geospatial Technology and Collaborative Mapping in Vulnerable Populations to Promote Physical Activity. The challenge we faced was to try and encourage physical activity using a combination of GPS, digital mapping and NASA satellite imagery in three vulnerable populations (seniors, low-income women, and youth). The reason why this topic is important is because regular physical activity is the most modifiable aspect of a lifestyle that can improve health across populations. At the time, navigation software in cars was just becoming popular. We speculated that putting those capabilities on handheld devices with the powerful context of satellite imagery could motivate participants to accomplish tasks, some fun (treasure hunts) and others more practical (making simple maps), and in the process get more physical activity than they would otherwise. 

Indeed, our research suggested so, which led to a much more ambitious initiative called "Stealth Health" launched during my second year (2009-2010). This USDA-funded research is a novel partnership between the Earth and nutritional sciences designed to prove a concept. If we can integrate mapping software, GPS and satellite imagery into mobile phone applications capable of helping youth solve problems, can we encourage as an indirect outcome physical activity in those same youth without their knowing about it? This "stealthy" approach is based on an informal learning theory that suggests that over 70 percent of what we learn happens outside the classroom on a voluntary, self-directed basis. The Stealth Health project began with designing trials of mobile phone and social network apps that allow the end-user to take and share geo-referenced photographs and make thematic maps to address real-world problems they would like to solve. It targets youth (ages 12-18) in after-school education programs. We hypothesize that integrated communication and location-based technology along with informal learning would lead to increasing physical activity and healthy/positive nutrition habits. 

My second internship year was not only about research. I was named a Space Grant Undergraduate Intern Advisor for the 2009-2010 term under Susan A. Brew's (Arizona Space Grant Consortium manager) supervision. Advisors are selected from the pool of prior year interns primarily for their leadership potential. Their role is to help new interns maximize the opportunities for growth provided by their internships while helping mentors and Space Grant administration ensure their support is as effective as possible. This involved a combination of one-on-one interaction and organizing opportunities to learn skills (e.g., presentation and writing workshops) and new concepts (e.g., guest speakers) and network with other scientists and engineers, including themselves! 

What has been the most exciting part of your research? 

The most exciting part of my research is to see how much I learn and how much I can do for the community of Tucson and Arizona. I have built countless professional relationships, been part of numerous conferences, and most importantly I have been able to share my knowledge with people who need it the most. In addition to pure research, my project involved translational research where the public is fundamentally engaged in the work, which is very rewarding. Seeing the impact of new ideas on the faces of the participants in a research intervention is when you know that all the hard work and effort is worth it. Words cannot express my gratitude for the opportunity this amazing internship gives scholars! 

What is your educational background, and what are your future educational plans? 

I graduated high school in 2007 from the tiny, low-income town of San Luis, located in the southwestern corner of Arizona. I completed a Bachelor of Science in nutritional sciences from the world-recognized University of Arizona in May 2011 and began my master's in the same department soon after. I will continue to focus my research on ways to encourage healthy lifestyles using the technologies often blamed for sedentary behavior. Seeing the trend among youth towards mobile phone usage, I am hoping to find ways to motivate activity and learning through location-based services that help youth explore the world outside. In so doing, I hope to help reverse the alarming obesity trends, what has been now declared an epidemic in the United States by the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). After the completion of my master's degree, I plan to either pursue a Ph.D. or a Registered Dietitian's degree in nutrition and food sciences. My hopes are to influence the world positively so people can have a better quality of life. 

What inspired you to choose the education/career field you did? 

I am from the small town of San Luis, Ariz., on the U.S.-Mexico border, and I am the first person in my family to go to a university. My childhood was harsh, and I had to grow up fast. My family has a long history of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. My grandmother died of co-morbidities related to diabetes. If at least one of my family members knew how to prevent or manage this disease, my grandmother might still be with us today. That has inspired me to not only learn about nutrition but also contribute to the science and public outreach necessary to make a difference in this very challenging area, helping prevent the all-too-common tragedy my family has faced. 

After meeting and working with Hongu and Orr, I have discovered how passionate I am about research and discovery and the link between science and solving major problems. 

What do you think will be the most important things you'll take away from your experiences with NASA? 

Research knowledge, presentation skills, professional relationships, and friendships are some of the most important things I value from this internship. 

How do you think your NASA involvement will affect your future? 

In all honesty, the University of Arizona NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Internship changed my life. I don't know where I would be standing if NASA had not given me this incredible and rewarding opportunity. 

What advice would you have for other students who are interested in working with or for NASA? 

Do it! It was a great and rewarding lifetime experience. I learned so much and grew as a person, student and professional. NASA Space Grant has opened up many, many doors for me. Thanks to this program and the wonderful and smart people that surround it, my life has changed. 

Mindi Capp/NASA Educational Technology Services

Two UA chemical and environmental engineering students have designed a recirculating chilled water system for their lab that could potentially save the University tens of thousands of gallons of water and thousands of kilowatt hours of energy each year.

Luis Huizar presents research from his Space Grant internship at the 2011 World Environmental & Water Resource Congress in Palm Springs, Calif. Image Credit: Luis Huizar

Living in Arizona, NASA Space Grant intern Luis Huizar has a keen interest in how climate change is affecting ground water levels. Reduced rainfall in high-population areas can lead to issues with ground water sustainability. Through his internship, Huizar is helping to ensure future generations have plenty of potable water. 

In which NASA student opportunity projects did you participate, and how did you get involved in them? 

My fiancée at the time, Martha Mosqueda, was a NASA Space Grant undergraduate intern. Through her internship experience, I had the opportunity to see the program. I then became interested. I was searching for an opportunity to brighten my future, strengthen my skills and, most importantly, establish my professional goals. I applied to the NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Internship and was accepted. I began to work with Dr. Kevin Lansey in the civil engineering department at the University of Arizona. 

Explain the research you conducted through your NASA involvement and why this topic is important. 

My research focused on climate change and ground water sustainability. In Arizona, as well as other states of the United States, there are many counties and cities with large population densities and limited amounts of potable water. We focused on two locations in Arizona, the San Pedro National Conservation Area and the Tucson Active Management Area. The cases were similar: Both have large ground water withdrawals and low water recharges due to smaller rainfalls, which have affected these areas. My work mainly focused on making mathematical models to predict possible outcomes given different scenarios. A scenario is the possibility for some event in the future to happen, for example, one-third less rainfall from average over the next 20 years. 

What has been the most exciting part of your research? 

In my research, I have learned about many new issues that affect the southwestern United States, primarily due to groundwater and climate. My research focuses on climate change and its effect on the Colorado River, which supplies water to seven states and two countries. I enjoy learning about policies and how local and state authorities work with engineers to tackle problems that affect us today. Out of all of this, the most exciting part has been planning and finding different scenarios that can affect Tucson and the Southwest, adding the scenario values to the model looking at prediction for ground water availability over the next 100 years. I find it very interesting when model outcomes are different than predicted and enjoy sharing my findings with others who study the same subject to compare findings. 

What is your educational background, and what are your future educational plans? 

I graduated high school in 2006 from a small high school in the southwestern corner of Arizona, Yuma Catholic High School. Then I enrolled at the University of Arizona, and graduated in December of 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. Currently, I am working on my Master of Science in environmental engineering research with a focus on the effects of climate change on ground water in Arizona. I am open to the possibility of pursuing my Ph.D. in the future. 

What inspired you to choose your education/career field? 

I became aware of the water shortages in Arizona when I started taking classes at the University of Arizona. Since it was one of my main interests when I applied for the NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Internship program, I was paired with my mentor, Dr. Kevin Lansey, who works on water distribution systems. This was a drastic change from my field of study; I went from working in a chemistry laboratory to full-on computer modeling. I gave it a try and have liked it so far. I like this field because it is a problem that needs to be addressed today so future generations can have water. Potable water sustainability is interesting to me because I used to think that water coming from my faucet was abundant and it would always be there. I never saw it as a limited resource. Overall, my main reason for choosing this career field is so that future generations can have potable water just like we do today. 

What do you think will be the most important things you’ll take away from your experiences with NASA? 

Of the many things I have learned in my NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Internship, confidence in presentation, networking skills, leadership and friendships are some of the most important things I will take away from my involvement with NASA Space Grant. Above all, I wouldn’t be where I am at if I hadn't been involved in this amazing program. 

How do you think your NASA involvement will affect your future? 

My involvement with NASA has helped me advance in my professional career. It gave me the opportunity to start research in a professional setting. In many ways, it has already started to affect my future. It played a major role in the continuation of my education and acceptance in a graduate program. The opportunity provided by NASA has helped me show my true potential and has given me the confidence to publish my research for the world to see. The NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Internship set a platform and prepared me for larger world conferences. Before my involvement, I was clueless of my future and capabilities. It gave me the opportunity to fortify my strength and work on my weaknesses. I am confident that my involvement with NASA will continue to positively affect my professional career. 

What advice would you have for other students who are interested in working with or for NASA? 

At first, I was really intimidated to apply for the NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Internship. It is a BIG name and government agency. I then realized that there was no need to be intimidated. There are many different aspects to research that is conducted for NASA and any major or interest can usually be involved in some way; I used to think NASA means outer space only. The best way to get involved is to look for opportunities and ask questions about how people can get involved, no matter what field they are interested in.

Mindi Capp/NASA Educational Technology Services

FY 2008 Space Grant Intern, Kyle Stephens, is part of Crew 117 which is made up of engineers from The University of Arizona to test a new camera designed for the NASA-sponsored remote imaging system acquisition (RISA).

FY 2009 Space Grant Intern, Denise Garcia, a first-generation graduate student, will graduate with a Master's of Science in ecology and management of rangelands from the UA's School of Natural Resources and the Environment. She is working in conjunction with the Arizona Bureau of Land Management and the Gila Watershed Partnership in assessing land cover change of Southeastern Arizona.

FY 2010, 2011 Space Grant Fellow, Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, is the fourteenth recipient of the annual Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award. The award, which recognizes an outstanding graduate or postdoctoral researcher who demonstrates scientific excellence, was presented at the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) annual meeting Oct. 25 in Lexington, Ky. Ramirez-Andreotta is credited for her commitment to engaging residents of the local community in her research and empowering them with her results. After graduation, Garcia hopes to pursue a doctorate degree and join the Peace Corps, and professionally, her interests are focused in the local efforts of sustainable management of the environment in Northern Mexico.

Public health graduate student Deanna Lewis received the YWCA Women on the Move Award at a banquet on Sunday at the Westin La Paloma. Lewis is a physician's assistant who founded the Dequenesh Community Health Clinic to treat the uninsured, under-insured and working poor. She is a DrPH student in the Maternal and Child Health program at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. She is also the recepient of the 4CS-11 outstanding paper award from the American Physical Society, which recognizes her team's success with their PV outreach and education program.

FY 2000 Space Grant Intern, Sherri Heck, a research scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), measures the carbon dioxide levels in rural areas around the world. The trip to Kenya was funded by NCAR in support of Sherri’s research and included a science outreach component.