Reach for the Stars: Meet the 2026 NASA Astronaut Scholar

Mechanical engineering and international studies student Joshua Woolf received the 2026 Astronaut Scholar award, making him the fifth Utah State University student to win the accolade from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Established by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the foundation is a nonprofit created to support the mission of the United States in leading the fields of science, technology and innovation.

"It’s a really neat opportunity to be part of this community made up of incredible people,” Woolf said. “They have not only succeeded in their technical fields but have found a way to give back to students.”

Woolf said the work he’s done with his professors prepared him for this award.

“Research has helped me to think deeply about problems,” he said. “It's hard to build something as an engineer if you don't really understand the people you're making it for, how they're going to use it or what its purpose is.”

Woolf’s current research is for the ASPIRE Research Center under the guidance of mechanical and aerospace engineering Associate Professor Hailei Wang. The focus is how to efficiently cool wireless electric car chargers, then capture and reuse the waste heat. He also works with Associate Professor Zac Humes at the USU Thermal Energy Lab.

The Astronaut Scholar award is given to students with aspirations of pursuing research or work to advance their field. By combining his engineering and international studies, Woolf’s future endeavors will focus on creating sustainable energy options that support people, the environment and technology.

“Energy is a way to combine the things I care about and find solutions that work for the planet and for people,” Woolf said.

USU became the sole university in the state to be affiliated with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation through former alumna and astronaut Mary Cleave, who sponsored the scholarship with Northrop Grumman. The scholarship is now sponsored by the Space Dynamics Lab.

ASPIRE, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at Utah State University, leads groundbreaking research and development at the transportation-grid edge to accelerate electrification. With over 400 global collaborators, ASPIRE focuses on creating seamless, affordable electrified transportation systems, accessible for all vehicle classes, along with the public infrastructure needed to support them. By reducing costs, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth through job creation and workforce training, ASPIRE's work spans engineering, social science, policy and business. Partnering with top universities, industry leaders and community groups, ASPIRE is driving the future of advanced transportation-grid systems. Learn more at aspire.usu.edu.