The AE and MSE undergrads will receive paid internships, executive mentorship, and connections to leading aerospace organizations.
Four Georgia Tech students are joining the 2026 class of the nationally competitive Brooke Owens Fellows.
The fellowship offers students internships, mentorship from aerospace industry executives and former fellows, and access to a strong professional network of alumni across the field. Established to honor aerospace pioneer Brooke Owens, the program aims to develop the next generation of aviation and space exploration innovators.
This year’s Georgia Tech fellows are materials science and engineering student Keerthi Padmanabhan and aerospace engineering students Zeina Rmaile, Riva Sharma, and Saragha Surendra.
Keerthi Padmanabhan: From Materials Science to Lunar Resources
Padmanabhan was encouraged to apply for the fellowship by a co-worker at her co-op at NASA. She said the fellowship’s strong focus on mentorship, especially from women in the field, was particularly meaningful to her.
Padmanabhan has always been fascinated by space, and she said she’s drawn to the collaborative nature of the aerospace field.
“Being a part of teams on campus like Engineers Without Borders and the Society of Women Engineers has taught me how to work with people of different backgrounds and skillsets to achieve a shared goal,” she said.
She also credited the tight knit community in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, hands-on coursework, and emphasis on sustainability for shaping her academic experience and reinforcing her passion for the field.
“I am thrilled to have been chosen as one of 28 incredible women who share a passion for inclusive aerospace,” Padmanabhan said. “Being a part of this community not only means carrying on the legacy of Brooke Owens but doing so alongside some amazing women who have already revolutionized this field.”
This summer, Padmanabhan will intern at Blue Origin on the Space Resources team, which focuses on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). These technologies use lunar materials to produce essential resources like oxygen and solar power for future missions.
“ISRU reduces the need for earthly materials to support space missions,” she said. “That’s important for the future of space exploration.”
Zeina Rmaile: Driving Impact in Engineering
Rmaile applied cinematography skills to her application. She created a movie trailer about her experience at Tech, using her involvement in the Georgia Tech Colorguard as a metaphor for personal growth and transition into her college identity.
“From creating the storyline to filming and editing, I had so much fun putting my video together,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to reflect on my aspirations and the impact I hope to leave on the aerospace industry.”
Rmaile has expanded her aerospace engineering coursework through research in robotic systems while remaining active in the arts and the campus community. Along with the Colorguard, she’s also part of the Hispanic Recruitment Team student organization, the School of Aerospace Engineering Student Advisory Council, and the Georgia Tech Student Ambassadors.
This summer, she will participate in the MIT Summer Research Program, where she will study robotics and controls, and attend the Brooke Owens Fellowship Summit with the other 27 members of the 2026 cohort.
“Joining this community has amplified my commitment to uplifting the people around me,” she said.
Riva Sharma: Turning Curiosity Into Creation
For Sharma, the Brooke Owens Fellowship offered the chance to join a community of engineers driven by curiosity and discovery.
“Everyone in the community is deeply curious about how things work and excited about pushing the boundaries of technology,” she said.
Sharma has found that same approach in Georgia Tech’s hands-on engineering culture.
She has used campus makerspaces for several projects, including building custom sound-effect and distortion pedals for her electric guitar. Sharma carried that spark into her application: she composed an original song, using it to reflect on her journey and express her identity.
“Georgia Tech is kind of a playground for engineers,” she said. “There are so many opportunities to build things, especially personal projects that are incredibly supportive of your learning.”
As a board member of Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Georgia Tech, she had been helping organize panels encouraging students to apply for fellowships like Brooke Owens and Patti Grace. Finally, she told herself, “This is it. Let’s just do it and see what happens.”
While she is still finalizing her summer plans, Sharma is eager to apply her skills in an aerospace engineering role and continue exploring the kinds of problems that first sparked her curiosity in rocket science.
Saragha Surendra: Building Community Through Hands-On Engineering
Surendra said she is looking forward to joining the program’s supportive mentoring community.
“I had heard so many previous fellows talk about the inspiring community and mentorship the fellowship provides,” she said. “I definitely had imposter syndrome, but I figured I would never know unless I tried.”
Surendra serves as the programming and outreach officer for the Yang Aero Maker Space, where she organizes events for students to gain experience with tools like 3D printers and laser cutters.
“It is very rewarding to see my peers satisfied with what they made at the end of events,” she said. “This space has also provided me with an amazing community where we inspire each other to pursue our passions and chase our goals.”
She also conducts research with Associate Professor Koki Ho’s Space Systems Optimization Group, focusing on modeling, systems engineering, and satellite constellation design.
This summer, Surendra will intern with Blue Origin’s engines team, where she hopes to apply her background in systems modeling to real-world aerospace challenges.
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