Spring 2025 Winner of the Engineering Excellence Scholarship

Gabriel Roberts

Gabriel is a freshman studying aerospace engineering at Iowa State University. Deeply interested in science and technology, he is passionate about using his skills for meaningful innovation. Congratulations, Gabriel, and we look forward to all you will do!

Read Gabriel's Essay:

Sprawled across the garage floor with my dad on Saturday afternoons, I found my first engineering mentor. As we listened to military documentaries and discussed technological breakthroughs that changed history, he taught me to see how innovation shapes our world. These father-son moments sparked a curiosity that eventually led me to aerospace engineering. In high school, I initially envisioned a trade career, working as an apprentice for a local contractor and taking construction classes; however, my curiosity for science and technology, sparked by self-driven learning about spaceflight and rocketry, motivated me to pursue a rigorous academic path. Then came a pivotal moment: watching the first launch of the SpaceX Starship in my junior year transformed my casual interest into an earnest pursuit. While other students watched gaming videos, I found myself deep in YouTube lectures about rocket propulsion and aerospace innovations, taking notes that would later prove valuable in my college coursework. These topics inspired me to pursue Aerospace Engineering, giving my studies a clear direction. With motivation came success, earning 53 transfer credits before my 1st day in college. My fear of wasting time and money to pursue a university education was overcome by enthusiasm for learning and the affirmation of my abilities that Physics and Manufacturing classes (in particular) provided to me.

As I continue my education at Iowa State University, my experience further removes the haze surrounding my career aspirations. Thus far, I have thoroughly enjoyed my aerospace classes, combining aerodynamic principles with the self-guided construction of drones and applying orbital mechanics to Python simulations of user-controlled rockets. In the lab, I have led my team in the design and construction process as we create basic UAVs with only balsa wood, glue, and avionics hardware. Though briefly considering mechanical engineering, my passion for aerospace led me to stay in the program while adding a minor in Industrial Technology to broaden my manufacturing expertise. I’ve also leaned into leadership roles outside the classroom, especially in the Advanced Manufacturing Club. I joined the ionic propulsion group; our goal is to create a self-propelled plane with “no moving parts” through ionic wind generation. Recently I was selected as the new group leader, allowing me to gain experience in systems engineering, overseeing design, manufacturing, and testing processes to ensure the compatibility of electrical, mechanical, and safety systems. Next semester, I will also be involved in undergraduate research at Iowa State, working under Professor Yang Du to test processes and simulations for dual laser additive manufacturing methods, a rapidly advancing field with great promise for enhancing aerospace production with lightweight, robust, and cost-effective components for systems like drones and satellites.

Drawing from these experiences and emerging expertise, I see myself applying my aerospace and manufacturing background to develop innovative surveillance, defense, or space exploration solutions. Through my academic and professional journey, I aim to transform these engineering foundations into innovations that advance space exploration or strengthen national security. From those early days in the garage with my dad to leading aerospace research projects at Iowa State, my journey has shown me how engineering can bridge childhood fascination with meaningful innovation. Through the Rosso Service scholarship, I plan to continue this journey, turning the curiosity sparked by a father's guidance into solutions that serve our nation's future.