Woodbridge Teen Receives $25,000 Scholarship For Microgravity Project

WOODBRIDGE, VA — An 18-year-old from Woodbridge received a $25,000 scholarship from the Davidson Institute, a prestigious organization that only recognizes 20 students per year. Eleanor Sigrest, the recipient from Woodbridge, was honored for a study she completed analyzing strategies to reduce the movements of fluid in microgravity.

To arrange a parabolic flight for her study, Sigrest raised $25,000 from internships, grants, and GoFundMe. In a news release, she said that being recognized by the Davidson Institute validates her efforts.

"Being a Davidson Fellow means becoming part of a like-minded group of people who are passionate about their goals and dreams," Sigrest said. "It means the work we are doing is important; it means our voices have been heard."

Sigrest's project was titled "'Can You Hear the Empty Spaces?' Improving Spacecraft Efficiency and Capability Through a Novel Microgravity Fluid and Slosh Management Technique." The Davidson Institute said that her work has applications in human sustainability in space.

Sigrest believes that being recognized as a Davidson Fellow will open doors and present new opportunities.

"Davidson Fellows represent the future of innovation and the ability to push the boundaries of society for the better. As a Davidson Fellow, students are encouraged and treated as professionals in their field," Sigrest said. "It’s an opportunity to learn about challenges in other scientific disciplines, solutions to those challenges, and then look for applications of those solutions that cross over to other research domains. It’s through opportunities like Davidson Fellows where diverse topics come together to create real innovation from the most unexpected connections."

The Davidson Institute honored their 2021 fellows during an online ceremony in September. In total, 20 people received scholarships worth $50,000, $25,000, or $10,000.

"The 2021 Davidson Fellows Scholarship recipients have risen to the challenges of a global pandemic to complete significant projects within their fields of study," said Bob Davidson, founder of the Davidson Institute. "To be awarded this recognition, these students have shown immense skill and work ethic, and they should be commended as they continue their educational and research journeys while continuing to work to solve some of the world’s most vexing problems."

Since its founding in 2001, the Davidson Fellows Scholarship has awarded more than $8 million to 386 students. More information about this year's fellows is available on the institute's website.