Launching the Next Era

Meet the 2026 Astronaut Scholar Recipients

Since 2020, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) has proudly expanded our network to include four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): North Carolina A&T State University, Morgan State University, Spelman College, and Howard University. Through these exceptional partnerships, seventeen students have been named Astronaut Scholars—an achievement that has meaningfully shaped the trajectory of their lives and careers.

This progress is made possible by the generosity and engagement of supporters like you. Your financial contributions and participation in Astronaut Scholar programming not only open doors but also inspire, empower, and affirm that opportunity belongs to everyone. Because of you, these students are not only included—they are thriving.

This year, five HBCU students will receive the Astronaut Scholar Award. In addition to receiving up to $15,000 in educational support, each scholar is invited to attend the Innovators Symposium & Gala, where they have the opportunity to present their research, connect with fellow scholars and industry leaders, participate in exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, and celebrate their many achievements.

Donate to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Select HBCU Fund from the "Designate Your Donation" dropdown menu prior to submitting a donation.

Raihanna Terrell

Spelman College | Biology

Since becoming an Astronaut Scholar, Raihanna has a newfound interest in oncology and interdisciplinary inquiry. She has combined this new interest with her environmental studies focusing on how structural and environmental factors shape the experiences and outcomes of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. She participated in the University of Rochester Medical School SURF program, conducting qualitative oncology research under contributing to a scoping review on financial toxicity among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. As a second author, this work was published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship where I was the second author.

Raihanna is a renewal scholar.

Victoria Little

N.C. A&T State University | Biology & Psychology

Intending to pursue a Ph.D. in immunology and ultimately lead a research program developing next-generation of immunotherapies for solid tumors, Victoria has been focusing on immunotherapies through several research projects through her college program and additional summer internships. She is focused on engineering CAR-T cells resistant to TME-induced exhaustion that can assist in fighting solid tumors like pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Even with all her studies, she still makes time to mentor and train new researchers on campus while helping to build the community and support collective problem-solving.

Avery Love

N.C. A&T State University | Chemistry

"Becoming an Astronaut Scholar has been the greatest accomplishment of my college experience." He has focused on cloning vectors for metabolic enzymes upregulated in Alzheimer's into brain organoids. Looking ahead, he intends to pursue a Ph.D in biochemistry and molecular biophysics, focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial fungal and viral pathogens. His goal is to use the biophysical and bioanalytical techniques to further develop therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases and alleviate the antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Avery is a renewal scholar.

Tyrah Weems

Morgan State University | Biology & Chemistry

Her curiosity for how the human body worked began at a young age from a friend who had diabetes to her mother having a stroke when Tyrah was twelve. This spark has led her on a journey of biomedical research that guides clinical decisions. Her goal is to develop diagnostic strategies that enable earlier interventions.

Noor Harwell

Howard University | Applied Mathematics

Realizing at the end of her senior year in high school, she learned her interest in mathematics and biomedicine were not mutually exclusive and that mathematics could be a powerful tool to advance equitable healthcare. As a Black woman, she has witnessed how socioeconomic and environmental inequities contribute to poorer health outcomes in marginalized communities. Noor aspires to be a biomathematician conducting research aimed at eliminating these health disparities and improving healthcare for all.

Donate to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Select HBCU Fund from the "Designate Your Donation" dropdown menu prior to submitting a donation.