Astronaut Scholars Reflect on Mentorship, Research, and Opportunities at LSU That Helped Them Succeed
June 18, 2025
Two LSU students recently named to the 2025 class of Astronaut Scholars say this lofty achievement would not have been possible without the support and opportunities provided by LSU.
The scholarships, announced in May by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, honor exceptional undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Erin Barker (College of Engineering) and Colton Bruni (College of Engineering and Ogden Honors College) were among 74 undergraduate students from 51 universities and colleges across the United States to receive the honor in 2025.
Related Story: LSU Students Selected for Nationally Acclaimed 2025 Astronaut Scholarship
Erin Barker
Barker, an industrial engineering major from Franklin Square, N.Y., is pursuing her passion for aerospace, which she said she discovered after taking part in the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy as a sophomore.
“With no prior exposure to the industry, the program provided me with a strong foundation in both technical and interpersonal skills,” she said.
She said becoming an Astronaut Scholar represents a significant milestone as she continues on a path to work in aerospace manufacturing or launch operations, where she hopes to gain valuable industry experience before pursuing a master’s degree.
Colton Bruni
Bruni, a chemical engineering student from Gulfport, Miss., said his love for all things outdoors inspired him to want to create a more sustainable future using advanced nuclear reactors.
“I’ve always had a connection to nature, which has made me keenly aware of the fragility of our environment,” he said. “That concern led me to explore sustainable energy solutions, which is how I became fascinated by nuclear energy as a safe, reliable, and clean power source.”
He said LSU’s strong engineering programs and unique research opportunities have allowed him to pursue a multidisciplinary approach to the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, with a focus on a future in nuclear energy.
Being selected as an Astronaut Scholar will allow him to expand his network of mentors to guide him as he makes his next step to graduate school, where he plans to pursue a PhD in nuclear engineering.
Q&A
Both honorees answered questions about their time at LSU. Some answers are edited for brevity:
How did your nomination for the Astronaut Scholarship come about? Who at LSU helped make this achievement possible?
Barker: Last year, I was honored to be nominated by LSU for this scholarship, and although I was not selected at the time, I am so incredibly grateful to have been chosen this year.
This achievement would not be possible without Dr. Isabelina Nahmens, director of the Industrial Engineering Program, who has been my research advisor for the past three years. I would also like to thank Dr. Laura Ikuma and Adrienne Steele at the College of Engineering for their support, in addition to Joe Givens, manager of Fellowships and Honorific Scholarships in the Honors College, for guiding me during the application process.
Bruni: I was nominated through the LSU Office of Fellowship Advising, with tremendous support and help throughout the application process from Joe Givens.
Please give us a brief background on your research at LSU.
Barker: I am currently working with Dr. Laura Ikuma and Dr. Isabelina Nahmens in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering on improving indoor air quality and pediatric asthma outcomes using portable intervention methods. This project is in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), the LSU Agriculture Center, and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital and aims to improve the quality of life of children living with asthma.
This research is especially important for families more frequently exposed to environmental triggers and living in racially/ethnically concentrated areas of poverty (R/ECAPs) who can't make structural changes to homes they're renting.
Bruni: I work with Dr. Kevin McPeak to study the carbonation of minerals like forsterite for carbon capture using nanoscale spectroscopy techniques. In McPeak’s Lab, we study materials on the nanoscale for sustainable technologies.
I also work with Dr. James Ghawaly, using AI for radiation anomaly detection. I write algorithms for radiation sensors to detect radioactive isotopes in noisy environments. The project supports radiation safety and national security goals.
Can you talk about the team aspects of your success at LSU?
Barker: During my time at LSU, I have been on a variety of teams, including the LSU Reveille, research labs, professional organizations, and even intramural sports teams, where success is dependent on effective collaboration. Every endeavor involves some level of teamwork and leadership. I recognize that my accomplishments have only been possible through the support and contributions of others.
Bruni: I constantly turn to professors, industry leaders, and LSU alumni to plan how to achieve my goals. I would also like to think as I develop myself and my career that I am beginning to offer help as part of the LSU team, such as working as a teacher's assistant or leading LSU’s American Nuclear Society Chapter.
What advice would you give other students interested in studying in a STEM field at LSU?
Barker: There are so many avenues to succeed at LSU, so explore and take full advantage of the unique flexibility that comes with being a student. You never know what series of doors one opportunity might open and how it could shape your future. The biggest opportunities for growth and learning often happen outside the classroom.
Bruni: Take initiative, ask questions, get into a lab early, and don’t be afraid to reach out to professors. LSU has so many hidden opportunities, but you have to seek them out. The true opportunities LSU has to offer are beyond the classroom, sometimes even outside your major or field of study.
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