The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Fullerton recently received a prestigious $5 million grant from NASA, marking a transformative milestone for both the university and the broader aerospace community.

Coordinated by Haowei Wang, professor of mechanical engineering, the grant will advance research in supercritical combustion and related technologies. These initiatives align with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and aim to create a pipeline for underrepresented students to excel in the aerospace sector.

The grant brings Cal State Fullerton into direct collaboration with NASA, offering students and faculty unprecedented access to the most renowned space agency in the world. Wang, who is leading the project, expressed his excitement for the opportunities this grant provides.

“The most exciting aspect of this grant is bringing resources, connections, and opportunities to our students,” Wang says. “We aim to help students overcome barriers and build successful careers in the aerospace industry.”

The grant will fund the creation of the SPARC Center (SpaceIgnite Center for Advanced Research-Education in Combustion), which will focus on high-pressure combustion and supercritical oxidation research critical to space exploration. The center aims to improve energy efficiency for space missions, develop sustainable aviation fuels, and explore water recycling technologies essential for long-duration space travel.

Empowering All Students

Students from underserved communities, particularly first-generation and minority students, often face significant barriers when trying to enter STEM fields. This grant will offer them direct access to NASA personnel, hands-on research opportunities, and the chance to network with industry professionals.

Lauren DuCharme ’15 (B.S.), a mechanical engineering alumna and flight systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasized the importance of these connections. Along with other engineering professionals and alumni, DuCharme will serve as an advisory board member.

“The personal relationships I developed with my professors at CSUF shaped my career at NASA,” DuCharme recalled. “This grant will offer current students the same type of mentorship and real-world experience that I had, which is invaluable for anyone pursuing a career in aerospace.”

Through the SPARC Center, students will be exposed to innovative research focused on goals like improving the thermal efficiency of combustion systems and developing sustainable technologies for space missions. Working on these projects, students will gain practical experience that prepares them for both graduate studies and professional careers in aerospace.

The grant also allows Cal State Fullerton to introduce new courses focused on aerospace engineering, space technology, and combustion. Wang notes that these courses will focus on areas critical to NASA’s mission, such as supercritical combustion, which is essential for reducing energy consumption in space exploration, and sustainable aviation fuels, which help preserve natural resources.

“The only opportunity I had to explore explicit space or aerospace topics within the engineering curriculum was a single rocketry course offered my senior year – and I’m very thankful Dr. Wang volunteered to teach it that year!” DuCharme says. “While I was still able to break into the space industry through internships, I wish I had had more opportunities to explore aerospace topics while in my undergrad years. I am so unbelievably excited that ECS students will have an entire learning center dedicated to aerospace research and technology to help them shape their curriculum and make them competitive in the flourishing aerospace industry we have around us in Southern California (and beyond).”

Partnerships and Projects That Propel Students Forward

The collaboration between Cal State Fullerton and partner institutions Clemson University and the University of Washington will further amplify the impact of the SPARC Center. With combined expertise in combustion research and a shared commitment to student success, these institutions will provide students with a comprehensive educational experience that bridges theory and practice.

“Our work with these institutions allows us to offer students a rich, collaborative research environment,” Wang says. “Together, we’ll be able to provide mentorship, internships, and essential real-world experience. By involving students in these projects early on, we’re providing them with invaluable experience that will make them competitive in the aerospace workforce.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the grant involves internship opportunities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, where students will work on groundbreaking aerospace technologies. DuCharme, who interned at NASA before launching her career there, shared how impactful these experiences can be.

“Interning at NASA gave me the opportunity to solve real, difficult problems alongside incredible mentors,” she says. “These internships will give students the chance to work on projects that will have a lasting impact on both their careers and the future of space exploration.”

A Pathway to Doctoral Programs and Aerospace Careers

The SPARC Center is not just about undergraduate education; it’s also about creating pathways to doctoral programs at top-tier research universities. By engaging with research projects from the start of their academic careers, students will be better equipped to pursue advanced degrees and contribute to groundbreaking research in the future.

“We aim to prepare students for graduate school by involving them in research early,” Wang says. “Through collaborations with leading research institutions and mentorship from top-tier faculty, students will develop the skills they need to succeed in doctoral programs.”

For students interested in the aerospace industry, DuCharme emphasizes the importance of adaptability. “The aerospace industry is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt to change is crucial,” she says. “With the hands-on experience students will gain at the SPARC Center, they’ll develop the resilience and mindset necessary to thrive in an ever-changing field.”

DuCharme says it’s important for Cal State Fullerton to take advantage of its incredible history and the breadth of resources at its disposal, including one of California’s three NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

The SPARC Center represents a significant step forward for both Cal State Fullerton and the aerospace industry, and with continued support from NASA, it’s poised to impact generations of engineers and researchers in the years to come.