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The University of Zurich was elected as a new member of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) by the current university members on March 25. This election was possible, as the UZH belongs to the worldwide leading institutions for research in the Space- and Aviation field.
USRA
The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities, and conducts other major research and educational programs. It was Founded in 1969 under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government.
UZH Election
The eligibility criteria for USRA membership includes demonstrated significant contributions in space or aerospace research fields by faculty, and a substantial commitment to a course of studies and dissertation research leading to the doctorate in one or more related fields.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Isaacson, USRA's President and CEO, said, “We are very pleased to welcome University of Zurich as a USRA member. The University’s outstanding work - especially in its space-related disciplines - adds to the collective strength of our Association.
Experience of a former Swiss USRA Fellow
Florian Kehl is a senior research assistant at the UZH Space Hub, Lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and a former USRA Fellow working at NASA. We have interviewed him about his time and experience as a Swiss USRA Fellow:
Florian, What was your relation to USRA so far?
After my PhD I applied for the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP), which USRA administered. My proposal "Astrobiology Platform for In-Situ Analysis of Prebiotic Compounds on Mars, Icy Worlds and beyond" was selected in 2016 by USRA and funded with more than $180'000 USD, which allowed me to pursue my research at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for 3 years. Enabled by the funding received from USRA through the NPP fellowship, I also had the chance to perform astrobiologically relevant fieldwork in analogue sites, such as the Atacama Desert and the Arctic.
What is your experience with interacting with USRA?
The interaction with USRA has always been highly professional, and as an NPP Fellow, USRA was always very supportive. Despite the complicated paperwork required to work at NASA as a foreign national, USRA made my life significantly easier with their helpful staff.
What can USRA do for young scientists?
Besides launching careers by means of financial support and scholarships, as in my case, USRA organizes and hosts several space-related, international conferences where young scientists can present their research, network and potentially meet their future employer. USRA is also facilitating internships and providing innovative learning opportunities for students, at all levels, in space and aeronautics research and STEM fields in general
Thank you Florian!
More information
Read more :
UZH News article (german)
Image: R.Sablotny;UZH
