In a remarkable achievement underscoring his academic prowess and dedication to advancing aerospace engineering, Fahad Nabid, a freshman graduate student at the University of Florida, has been awarded the highly prestigious National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship for 2024. This fellowship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, aims to support exceptional graduate students pursuing research critical to national defense.
Nabid’s selection for the NDSEG Fellowship comes as a testament to his outstanding academic credentials and promising potential in the field. With a background enriched by undergraduate research experience and a year at NASA, Fahad has already demonstrated a deep commitment to aerospace engineering and a keen interest in tackling complex challenges.
“This fellowship lifts a significant financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my research without economic distractions,” shared Fahad Nabid. “It’s incredibly meaningful, especially as a first-generation college student, to show that it’s possible to reach these academic heights, no matter your background.”
Nabid’s research focus centers on addressing longstanding issues related to classical bow shock and disturbance problems in aerospace engineering. Funded by the Office of Naval Research for a three-year term, his work aims to explore fundamental mechanisms related to turbulence in the atmosphere and its impact on the flow over hypersonic flight vehicles—a crucial area for advancing national defense capabilities.
Professor Steve Miller, Nabid’s PhD advisor at the University of Florida, expressed enthusiasm about the recognition and support Fahad has received: “We are very excited for the support that NDSEG provides to Florida Aerospace and Mr. Nabid. The award will allow him to explore the fundamental mechanisms of how turbulence in the atmosphere alters the flow over hypersonic flight vehicles in support of our nation’s national defense mission. The award is highly competitive, and I believe that Fahad is a deserving student who will push the field forward. We are fortunate Florida provides a supportive environment to examine long-term fundamental research of this nature.”
The NDSEG Fellowship is highly competitive, with only 150 awardees selected from 3392 applicants this year. It represents not only a significant financial boost but also an opportunity for Fahad Nabid to collaborate with leading experts and contribute to cutting-edge research that will shape the future of aerospace engineering.
As Fahad embarks on this transformative journey, he remains focused on leveraging this opportunity to engage deeply with the academic community and make substantial contributions to our collective knowledge.
