LSU Students Selected for Nationally Acclaimed 2025 Astronaut Scholarship

BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State University is proud to announce that two exceptional students, Erin Barker and Colton Bruni, have been named 2025 Astronaut Scholars by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for undergraduate STEM students.

This year, ASF selected 74 scholars from 51 universities across the United States. The highly competitive scholarship recognizes top students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who demonstrate academic excellence, ingenuity, and a deep commitment to research with the potential to positively impact their fields.

"Colton and Erin exemplify the excellence, curiosity, and drive that the Astronaut Scholarship celebrates," said Joe Givens, Manager of Fellowships and Honorific Scholarships. "Their selection is not only a recognition of their individual achievements but also a reflection of LSU’s continued leadership in preparing students to push the boundaries of knowledge and discovery."

Meet LSU’s 2025 Astronaut Scholars

Erin Barker, a rising senior majoring in Industrial Engineering, is conducting impactful undergraduate research with Dr. Laura Ikuma and Dr. Isabelina Nahmens in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Their project, a collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health, the LSU AgCenter, and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, focuses on improving indoor air quality and pediatric asthma outcomes using portable intervention methods. The work specifically supports families living in racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty who may lack the ability to make structural improvements to rental homes.

“I’m most excited to connect with the other scholars and everyone involved at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation,” said Barker. “It feels surreal to be included in such a prestigious network. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity and learning as much as possible.”

Barker, who plans to pursue a career in aerospace manufacturing and operations, hopes to eventually apply to graduate school and credits the ASF scholarship with affirming her path in the aerospace field.

Colton Bruni, a rising Ogden Honors senior majoring in Chemical Engineering with minors in Physics, Chemistry, and Nuclear Power Engineering, is involved in cutting-edge research at the intersection of energy, environment, and national security.

Bruni works with Dr. McPeak in the Department of Chemical Engineering, using nano-FTIR spectroscopy to study carbon dioxide sequestration in forsterite minerals, an important strategy in carbon capture and climate mitigation. He also collaborates with Dr. Ghawaly in the Department of Computer Science to develop AI algorithms for radiation anomaly detection, a key area in radiation safety and national security.

“The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation will provide me with mentorship and guidance as I prepare for graduate school and future research,” Bruni said. “I applied for this program to join a network of top scientists who are committed to conducting impactful research that can change the world.”