NASA Glenn Academy 2005

NASA Academy 2005
Glenn Research Center
2005 GRC Academy Home

Ayanna Anika Moses

Medgar Evers College, CUNY
Brooklyn, New York
Mathematical Science
Bachelor of Science, June 2005

NASA Academy Research Project

Microstructural Evaluation of Advanced Materials
NASA Principal Investigators: David Hull and Mike Nathal

Education

My high school years were spent at Central High School, and Bishop's High School in Georgetown, Guyana. At Medgar Evers College (MEC), I began my college education as a business major, because that was the track I took in high school. A semester later I changed to computer science. While fulfilling the associate degree requirements for the computer science degree, I took advanced mathematics courses so as to train myself in a systematic way of thinking. The math drew me, and I switched to a mathematics major. I have an avid interest in differential equations and complex variables because they show the applied side of mathematics. As a result of this applied side, I used my elective credits to explore the other science courses available. These included organic chemistry and university physics as well as space science. My academic experiences as well as my drive for science added to my desire to attain a PhD in Material Science and Engineering.

Experience

I have explored areas in mathematics, programming and chemistry as a research assistant at Medgar Evers and at a couple of NASA centers. My mathematics endeavors included research in sorting algorithms, and the Markov Chain of prediction probabilities. For two summers I performed programming tasks using Java and PERL programming languages at Goddard, and at JHU Applied Physics Laboratory. Also, for the past year I was a member of the Flight team on MECSAT Balloon Launching Mission. Currently, as an aid to Dr. Kwesi Amoa of Medgar Evers, I am synthesizing new cyclin-dependent kinase 2 compounds that may inhibit proliferative diseases such as cancer and psoriasis. At the New York Chemistry Student’s Association’s 53rd Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium I gave an oral presentation on this research project.

Extra-curricular Activities

As an undergraduate, I was a member of the MEC Association for Black Social Worker and the MEC Association for Computing Machinery; both clubs have affiliations with their respective national organizations. I played softball with my fellow Cougars as part of MEC's softball team. Currently, my hobbies are focused around animation, particularly the Japanese animes and mangas. Because of this I am also learning about Japanese language as well as their culture. My other interests include video games, and the science channel provided by my new cable service. I also love movies, particularly action and Hindi movies. For the future I aim to learn Japanese, Hindi, and to play the violin.