Alumna receives NASA internship; Starting life in California

      Alumna Emmie Catrambone has received an opportunity to go to California for a NASA internship, her start date being June 6, 2022. She says she is nervously anticipating the start of this new opportunity.

    Catrambone says working for NASA was something she has wanted to do since she was in middle school.  She explains to get this opportunity she applied for multiple internships all over the country. “The professor I conducted research with suggested that I apply to the Rotorcraft Aeromechanics internship, which just so happened to be at NASA Ames in California,” she says. 

     Catrambone says after applying the waiting period is very long because NASA tends to take a long time to get back to candidates. “The Mars Helicopter research first piqued my interest in rotorcraft, so I was very excited to pursue the opportunity at NASA Ames this summer,” she states. 

     Catrambone explains she will be working on different rotorcraft vehicles which are like helicopters and unmanned autonomous vehicles that are propelled with a rotor and blades. “I’m not exactly sure what I will be doing yet, specifically, but I am hoping to continue working on Mars Helicopter research,” she says. Mars Helicopter research is what she is currently working on at University of Maryland and she explains she would love to continue working with helicopter blade design and testing. 

     “In terms of rotorcraft knowledge, my research with Dr. Anubhav Datta has prepared me more than I could have ever asked for,” Carambone says. With Datta, she has had experience working with tools like carbon fiber. 

     Catrambone is hoping to go to graduate school after she graduates next spring, and is considering getting a PhD as well. “I would love to continue working with NASA for as long as I can. I am also very interested in defense work, so applying for jobs at defense contracting companies like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin will definitely be in my future as well,” she says. 

     According to Catrambone, “The Aeromechanics Office is responsible for aeromechanics research activities that directly support the civil competitiveness of the U.S. helicopter industry and the Department of Defense.” Branch programs address aspects of the rotorcraft which influence the vehicle’s performance, structural, and dynamic response, external acoustics, vibration, and aeroelastic stability. 

     “At the conclusion of the internship, the intern will prepare a final report and either make a final presentation or participate in a poster day,” Catrambone says. 

     “I’m very nervous to be living so far away from home, but I know that it will be a great experience that I can build upon for the future,” Catrambone states.