The Brooke Owens Fellowship: Empowering Women in Aerospace

Ananya Malhotra , a junior studying Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics and minoring in Penn Computer and Information Science , has been awarded a Brooke Owens Fellowship . This fellowship is designed to serve as an inspiration and as a career boost to capable young women and other gender minorities who aspire to work in the aerospace industry.

"I found this fellowship during my search for a summer internship, and was immediately drawn to it because of my passion for aerospace," Ananya explains. "Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to be an astronaut and Brooke Owens seemed like a great opportunity to not only get experience in the field but also to meet successful and inspiring women in aerospace that could guide me towards my goal."

When asked about her interests in MEAM, Ananya talks about her love for hands-on learning and the physics behind the structural aspects of mechanics. "Growing up, I have always loved robotics, math, and physics, but also was deeply fascinated by space and the prospect of exploring its infiniteness."

Ananya's enthusiasm for the program is clear when she describes the chance to find a community of women and gender minorities. "The network of women that have emerged from this fellowship is truly inspiring. To be able to meet some of the most successful women in the industry, ranging from congresswomen to astronauts, is a dream come true."

Ananya has secured an internship at Blue Origin , one of the most cutting-edge companies in the aerospace industry. This opportunity will provide her with invaluable experience in the field and allow her to work alongside some of the best and brightest minds in aerospace. "I am so grateful for this chance and I hope to widen my understanding of different components of aerospace over the summer."

Read more about the Brooke Owens Fellowship here.