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Elliott Davis is graduating from Smead Aerospace with his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science as well as an extra feather in his cap, a 2020 College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Undergraduate for Research Award.

His next step is Lockheed Martin Space, where he will begin a position this summer. Below, he reflects on his time as a student and looks to future.

Q: What led you to study engineering?

Engineering wasn’t my plan going into college. I always had strengths in math and science, but I originally planned on Computer Science with a minor in astronomy. I have always had a love for space. I remember walking along the beach with my cousin as a kid and learning all about the stars, space, and relativity. It pushed me to fall in love with looking up at the stars. After taking a few computer science classes, I realized that was very much not for me!

I thought what was the next major I could do that could keep me involved in space and still play to my strengths, that ended up bringing me here.

Q: What does the award you are receiving mean to you?

I think it shows a final mark on my work here at the University of Colorado. The biggest factor to me was the recognition from the department and the professors that I have worked for. I am grateful that Dr. Torin Clark and Dr. Bob Marshall gave me the chance to prove what I could do. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their trust and guidance.

Q: What are you involved in when you’re not in class or studying?

Throughout college I did two internships at Lockheed Martin Space here in Colorado. This experience furthered my understanding of how to work in large scale project teams and helped me recognize the importance of understanding your small piece of work and its implications on the larger goal.

I have also been volunteering at the Denver Rescue Mission, a soup kitchen in Boulder. This has helped me in appreciating where I came from and help I have had to get to where I am today.

Q: Share an accomplishment (or accomplishments) from your time at CU Boulder that you are most proud of.

The thing I am most proud of is my work to help move the to be a fully funded NASA contract. AEPEX is a satellite that will be launching in early 2022; my focus on the project has been on mission design and payload software development.

Q: If you could relive any moment from your college career, what would it be?

My favorite memory of college was getting to present on my senior design project with my team at the AIAA conference in Minnesota. Our project was called Aspect-ratio Redesign of Eagle Owl for Stormchasing (ARES). It was a great opportunity to showcase the work we had done and meet other college seniors and see the work they have been doing. It helped me make a lot of connections and was a blast as well.

Q: What's next for you after graduation?

Starting on August 10, I will be going to work at Lockheed Martin Space on the Guidance, Navigation, and Control team.

Q: What is the impact you hope to have on the world?

My goal is to find a way to improve the lives of others around the world. Ideally via improved technology and being able to bring technology to those that may not have them.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say?

I want to thank Dr. Clark and Dr. Marshall for giving me a chance to prove myself and giving me guidance. I couldn’t be where I am today without their help.

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