Sarah Stewart: Outstanding senior in mechanical engineering

Clubs and activities

Undergraduate Researcher in the Computational Modeling and Image Analysis Lab, Engineering Mechanics Teaching Assistant, Make to Innovate (M:2:I) NASA Micro-g NExT lunar astronaut tool design team, English Together Conversation Leader, Study abroad semester in Ireland, University Honors Program, Society of International Engineers, First-Year Honors Program (FHP) leader/seminar co-teacher, tutor, intramural sports (volleyball, basketball, frisbee, tennis)

Valuable hands-on learning in class

Joining the Make to Innovate project class during my freshman year was one of the best decisions I made as an undergraduate. I became the Operations Team Lead for a student team designing lunar astronaut tools such as a reuseable surface anchoring device and a geologic sample bag dispenser for the NASA Micro-g NExT student challenge. My contributions helped our team get selected to test our prototype designs in simulated microgravity at the Johnson Space Center. Through this team, I gained valuable experience in leadership, mechanical design and modeling, technical writing, test planning, and public outreach while working on a project I was passionate about, all starting within my very first week as an engineering student. The program helped me make connections in the space industry and solidified my desire and confidence to be an engineer.

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

I’ve had six internships since starting at Iowa State. Four of them were at NASA in areas such as spacecraft thermal design, lunar dust mitigation, systems engineering, flight operations, and telescope structural component design. Another one of my internships was at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. working on biomedical device research, and my most recent internship was at the Hamburg University of Technology in Germany, where I modeled ocean wave energy converters. These roles allowed me to contribute to a variety of projects in my main interest areas of spacecraft engineering, biomedical engineering, and renewable energy. Through my internships, I’ve been able to live in many places across the country and abroad, connect with dozens of brilliant engineers and scientists, and become a well-rounded engineer who possesses the necessary problem-solving and research skills to succeed.

Most influential mentor

I’ve had two influential mentors at Iowa State in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Aishwarya Pawar has been my research advisor for my honors project, and I could not have been successful in my project without her guidance. I have learned so much as a member of her research group for the past two years and value all the support she has given me in my pursuits!

My second influential mentor was Dr. Paola Pittoni, who taught one of my first engineering classes. The passion and enthusiasm Dr. Pittoni shows each day for the field of mechanical engineering continue to inspire and motivate me to succeed. I will never forget the time she had the 3D Printing Club print the lightsabers her students designed when we were learning how to use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software in ME 170.

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My greatest accomplishment was completing my honors research project and final report on a novel method for the computational modeling of heart valve mechanics to better understand congenital heart defects. Sharing my work with the Iowa State community at the honors poster presentation was especially rewarding. I loved the challenge of planning and executing a research project, and I aim to continue to use my STEM knowledge to make an impact and improve people’s lives.

Plans after graduation

I will be an aerospace engineer at the NASA Langley Research Center, where I will be working on space mission analysis.

Making my mark on the world

As an engineer, I want to use my passion for science and math to drive the innovations and advancements that will allow us to better explore, understand, and improve our world. In the future, we could send humans to Mars, better treat chronic diseases, and power our communities more sustainably. These are all realities I aim to make possible as an engineer.

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

What is awesome about being a Cyclone Engineer is being a part of the vast network of Iowa State engineers around the globe developing new innovations in industry, government, and academia each day. The Cyclone Engineering experience fosters true passion for hands-on engineering and discovery within its students, inspiring them to become leaders in their fields.

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

By going to Iowa State, I was immediately able to work on hands-on projects I was passionate about during my first year through classwork, student organizations, and research opportunities. Gaining that initial experience as early as possible was key to landing my internships and becoming the engineer I am today.

Most inspiring location on campus

I love sitting on the grass on Central Campus to enjoy the fresh air and listen to the sound of the bells from the Campanile. As a busy engineering student, having such a beautiful space on campus to relax and reflect helps me work through tough challenges and form new ideas. Seeing so many students, instructors, and staff pass by central campus reminds me of the great Iowa State community of which I am a part and inspires me to make my mark.