Tully Mahr is a Gundungurra woman studying engineering at the University of Melbourne. She is one of five students who will this week head to the United States for a once in a lifetime internship with NASA.
Five First Nations students will be partnered with a scientist or engineer mentor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California for a 10-week internship.
They have been chosen for the first ever cohort of Monash University’s National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), supported by the Australian Space Agency.
Tully says she has always wanted to have a career in a space agency as an innovative and influential leader.
“I am passionate about bridging Indigenous knowledge with advanced engineering concepts, aiming to bring unique perspectives and holistic approaches to aerospace research and development,” she says.
“I am beyond excited to get involved with NISA and continue advocating for careers in STEM for women and Indigenous Australians.”
The news was announced last week by Monash University’s National Indigenous Space Academy lead and proud Wadjak/Ballardong Noongar man Professor Christopher Lawrence CompIEAust.
Professor Christopher Lawrence says “Indigenous Australians are the first scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians and doctors.”
“This is a pathway for Indigenous students to participate in unique NASA and JPL projects such as robotics for the unexplored ocean worlds, robot perception control, artificial intelligence and path planning as well as satellites,” he says.
Tully agrees and adds “engineering internships are an excellent way to learn skills such as critical thinking, analytical skills, adaptability and resilience.”
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity to meet the people working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I am thrilled to have the chance to learn about their own career paths, what their projects are and what they have studied,” she says.
Click here to learn more about the National Indigenous Space Academy and hear more from Tully and the other lucky interns.