Hello! My name is Lia Formica. I am from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and my major is aerospace engineering. I am a junior and a member of Cohort 7. I was a member of the Penn State Student Space Programs Lab (SSPL) and was on the structures team for the 2020 NASA Big Idea Challenge where the research team and I focused on designing and creating an instrument for performing light-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in a lunar permanently shadowed region (PSR). Essentially it was using a laser to read lunar regolith for critical elements and compounds like water. Additionally, I am an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) cadet which involves weekly physical training sessions, leadership laboratory meetings, and air class. ROTC focuses on preparing the cadets to become Second Lieutenant officers upon commissioning. During my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my siblings, reading, and taking flying lessons at the Bellefonte Airport. Upon graduation, I am looking forward to serving in the Air Force and during my time, hope to conduct research on space system structures and/or military defense capabilities. 

(Image of the SSPL team with our LIBS device design) 

The United States is facing a shortfall of Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2012 and 2022 the number of scientists and engineers needed to meet growth and net replacement needs will be 2.3 million. Even more critically, we face a shortage of leaders in the STEM fields. Filling that gap will mean drawing from our entire population, including women, underrepresented minorities, students who are the first generation in their families to attend college, and students struggling to afford college. They must not be left behind because of a lack of opportunities, role models, inspiration, or financial resources.