Final Goals of your Project/s:

ARED DATA TROUBLESHOOTING
– Determine issues with resistive exercise device sensor data collection system
– Create a procedure to troubleshoot
– Use ground test units to mimic on-orbit conditions for issue-sourcing

MARKERLESS MOTION CAPTURE
– Integrate system with OpenSim and SWRI data processing pipelines
– Test system inside the ISS mockups
– Look into more advanced data processing systems ASCR DATABASE
– Create a database for Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation teams
– Frontend system for data input and visualization
– Add AI models to study data to find trends that humans can’t see

ZERO-G CALORIE BURN
– Determine a method of how to measure calorie burn in space
– Develop a new algorithm to live-calculate based on the systems already in orbit
– Understand crew member exertion to inform the nutrition team about calorie needs

Describe what you did during your internship:

I did a lot this summer with my team! There were a lot of interns in our group this session which allowed us to expand our reach and pick up the pace at the same time. I worked on a good number of projects – some of which I also started working on in the spring, but others were new to me this session. I learned a few new programming languages, got exposure to database/website development workflows, and got more exposure to the nitty gritty mechanics of flying things to space. I also met a lot of scientists, physiologists, cardiologists, kinesiologists, and more. In my PAXC employee resource group, I also continued building my network with high-level NASA administrators and got an intern trip planned for off-site interns from across the country to come to JSC.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?:

I’ve made a lot of progress on my goals this summer. Our projects gained a lot of momentum this summer and we did a good job of setting the fall intern class up for success. The calorie-burning project was a later addition to my project portfolio, and it’s going to take a long time to complete, so I’ll be working on it with school partners at UI this coming year as part of a senior design/honors thesis project as well.

Describe positive lessons learned:

I continued to build upon my spring internship with regard to my networking, socialization, and performance goals. I benefit everyday from the extra effort I put into making new friends and discovering new opportunities. Most of the time, people say “no” to things not because it’s actually against the rules but because they don’t know (and they’re almost always not the right person to ask in the first place). You just have to keep pushing!

Describe negative lessons learned:

I learned so much about how people fly things to space and what to do when things don’t work the way we want them to. Patience, resilience, negotiation – all skills I didn’t know I needed as much as I really do.

Impact: This internship session has allowed me to work with new people in new roles. Since I’ve had some experience in the spring with this team already, I was able to step into new shoes and explore more of what our branch does with Flight Operations. It’s a super unique opportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’m also meeting new people both inside and outside of NASA that I can connect with for masters programs or other opportunities after my undergraduate time.