Charles Anderson, a rising senior in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Matthew Fernandez, from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, have been named 2025 Astronaut Scholars by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). They are among 74 students selected from 51 universities nationwide to receive this prestigious honor.
Now in its 40th year, the Astronaut Scholarship supports exceptional undergraduates who are dedicated to pursuing research-oriented careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Recipients receive up to $15,000 for academic expenses, a trip to ASF’s Innovators Symposium & Gala, and access to a lifelong network of astronauts, alumni, and supporters.
Charles Anderson
Anderson, Electrical and Computer Engineering 2025, conducts research in the Bhamla Lab under Associate Professor Saad Bhamla in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. His current project, the Evapinator, is a low-cost, portable technology designed to preserve biological samples without ultra-cold freezers or lyophilization. It offers rapid preservation within one to two hours, achieving recovery rates comparable to traditional methods.
Through this work, Anderson is advancing biomedical engineering and global health, and he is eager to explore further research avenues that create accessible solutions for underserved populations.
Matthew Fernandez
Fernandez, a 2024 Astronaut Scholar and mechanical engineering major, is continuing as an Astronaut Scholar this year and is also a recipient of the Godbold and Provosts Scholarships. He is minoring in robotics and has worked on developing compliant limbless systems to create a robot with efficient underwater locomotion techniques.
Fernandez plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Robotics after graduating from Georgia Tech and aims to use bio-inspired robotics to enable multi-modal locomotion and the navigation of previously untouched environments.
“This award underscores the innovative work Charles and Matthew are doing at Georgia Tech,” said Georgia Brunner, Prestigious Fellowships Advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success. “We are proud to support their journeys and see them thrive among the ASF community.”
Georgia Tech students and alumni interested in applying for prestigious fellowships are encouraged to contact Georgia Brunner at fellowshipsadvising@gatech.edu or visit the prestigious fellowships website.