NASA Internship – Tyler Yuen

Meet Tyler Yuen, a junior at San José State University (SJSU) studying aerospace engineering who has a passion for pushing the boundaries of flight. Growing up, he had always been fascinated by the mechanics of aviation, sparked by watching airshows with his dad when he was a kid. Now, as president of the SJSU chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Tyler is eager to share his enthusiasm for aerospace with his peers.

His journey into aerospace launched further during his internship at NASA, where he studied Jupiter’s moon, Europa. Throughout his 10-week internship, alongside Dr. Benjamin Idini, he conducted research on Europa’s tidal heating—a process that may explain the moon’s ice shell movement and chaotic terrain. By creating simulations and developing mathematical models, they explored how oceanic and orbital parameters influence heat production, a key factor in Europa’s potential tectonic activity.

Tyler adapted existing code to Europa’s specific conditions, analyzed energy distribution across the moon, and ran simulations using the University of California, Santa Cruz’s (UCSC) supercomputing cluster. One challenge was adjusting Europa’s semimajor axis to reflect accurate orbital migration. Ultimately, Tyler presented his findings to NASA scientists and peers, gaining valuable insights into astrophysics and complex problem-solving.

When reflecting on his NASA experience, he highlights the importance of persistence and curiosity. “I didn’t know much about Europa or tidal heating when I started, but asking lots of questions and staying determined helped me understand the bigger picture,” he says. His internship also reinforced the value of teamwork, and he credits his mentor, co-workers, and the UCSC Lamat group for providing a supportive and enriching environment.

For students seeking similar opportunities, Tyler’s advice is to be proactive and get involved in professional school organizations. He discovered his NASA internship through an alumni post in the AIAA group and believes that networking, teamwork, and taking initiative are key to success. He also notes that students should start or join projects to help them stand out as applicants.

Tyler is eager to explore all areas of aerospace engineering after graduation, with no fixed path but a desire to learn as much as he can. His advice to future students is to find a healthy balance between work and personal life. “It’s easy to get caught up in school and work, leading to burnout that can hinder success. Maintaining strong relationships and prioritizing mental health are essential during this time,” he says.

Though he faced doubts in his first year at SJSU, Tyler has embraced every opportunity to step out of his comfort zone and find his place in the aerospace community. Tyler Yuen is a shining example of how passion, persistence, and teamwork can lead to incredible achievements.

We can’t wait to see where his journey takes him next!

Berkeley non-profit works to counter AI election disinformation featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa

As AI-generated deepfakes infiltrate the 2024 election cycle, a Berkeley-based nonprofit, CivAI, is fighting back by educating the public on how easily these deceptive images can be mistaken for reality. With instances like a fake video of Vice President Kamala Harris and AI-created Swifties supporting Donald Trump going viral, CivAI co-founder Lucas Hansen warns of the emotional manipulation such content can cause. While regulations are in the works, they may not take effect in time to safeguard this election, leaving CivAI’s awareness campaign crucial in the battle against AI-driven misinformation.

Watch Professor Banafa’s full interview now!

September 12 facts

• 1992: NASA’s STS-47 launches carrying the first Black woman to fly in space, the first married couple to fly on the same space mission, and the first Japanese astronaut to fly aboard the shuttle
• 1958: Jack Kilby invented the first working integrated circuit at Texas Instruments
• 1959: Luna 2 was launched and later became the first spacecraft to contact another solar system body