Prestigious Astronaut Scholarships awarded to three Purdue students

Three Purdue students have earned the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship for their remarkable efforts and achievements through hours of research and coursework while in undergraduate studies. As Astronaut Scholars, they will build relationships with scholarship alumni and astronauts, as well as pioneers and leaders in their fields of study. In addition, they recently had a unique opportunity to network with these and fellow scholars across the country at the annual Innovator’s Gala held in August.

Shelby Sliger, a senior biochemistry major in Purdue’s College of Agriculture and a member of the John Martinson Honors College, discovered a passion for research during her high school participation in Science Olympiad. This early experience has driven her to excel in her studies and make significant contributions in her field. This passion only grew stronger as she engaged in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Joe Ogas, Purdue professor of biochemistry. She is a receipent of The 2024 Astronaut Scholarship.

The Astronaut Scholarship is awarded by The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), an organization created in 1984 by the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts. The prestigious scholarship is known nationwide for being among the highest merit-based monetary scholarships awarded to undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering and math. The scholarships are awarded to students in their junior and senior year of college. The ASF has awarded an Astronaut Scholarship to a Purdue student since 1987.

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