What is your next adventure? 

I want to go into academia and teaching, so I'm staying at Georgia Tech to pursue my Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.

What about your next adventure are you most looking forward to?

As a master’s student I worked with Dr. Juergen Rauleder in the area of experimental rotorcraft aerodynamics, so I’m excited about continuing my research. I've been challenged in a lot of ways that I didn't even know were possible, so I'm looking forward to really diving deep into the research and figuring out the reasons for some of the results that I'm seeing. Now that I'm finished with my coursework I can focus purely on the research which is really exciting. 

Did you have any previous co-op, internship, or research experience in this area?

As an undergraduate student I interned with the National Space Research and Development Agency in Nigeria, where I'm from, as a propulsion systems intern. I designed attitude control thrusters for a communication satellite that Nigeria was sending up to space. It was a really awesome experience to see the real-world flow in industry and being a part of the design process and what decisions need to be made. I was really excited to have that experience under my belt and it helped me figure out what specific research I wanted to study in graduate school. 

How did your educational experience at Georgia Tech help you to achieve your goals?

Classes at Georgia Tech have been challenging, but they are challenging in a way that really facilitated my growth. Coming into Tech I didn't know that I wanted to study rotorcraft specifically, I knew I wanted to understand general aerodynamics, but as I started tapping into all of the resources here I found my way into rotorcraft aerodynamics which has been awesome. All of my aerodynamic courses have prepared me for my research and the funding at Tech has made my research experience that much more possible.

What advice would you give to an underclassman who would like to follow the same path?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. I know sometimes it can seem a little daunting what the graduate school application process is like, but the people around you here are really there to help you. Don't be afraid to tap into those resources with graduate students, professors, or advisors in the AE School. 

Remember, it is a process. It can seem really scary trying to look five years ahead - I know that was the case for me - but remember the grad students around you as well as your professors and advisors have all gone through the exact same thing that you are going through and went through the same process, so be patient and remember it's a process to get to where you want to be.