2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Expanding Student and Faculty Engagement in NASA’s Artemis Mission Through a Novel Mini-Grant Program at an MSI

Presented at Minorities in Engineering Division(MIND) Technical Session 6

NASA–MSTAR program has selected the three-year proposal titled “DREAM: Developing Robotic Explorations with Agrobots and Moonbots” at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) as one of the nine recipients of their PHASE-III awards in September 2023. The program integrates NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP) with Space Technology Artemis Research (STAR) to expand participation of minority-serving institutions in Artemis-related research and education.

The DREAM project supports three primary objectives: (i) engaging UMES and partnering institution students in research on rover-based lunar exploration and autonomous navigation, (ii) conducting preliminary experiments in plant growth using robotic platforms in simulated lunar regolith, and (iii) fostering broad campus and community engagement through curriculum integration and innovative projects aligned with NASA’s Artemis mission. These efforts are especially timely as Artemis II prepares for the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo, and subsequent Artemis missions aim to achieve a historic lunar landing with the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon.

To advance the third objective, DREAM project has integrated a mini-grant program that funds two interdisciplinary faculty–student projects each year. The inaugural year supported projects on an extravehicular activity (EVA) smart toolset for planetary field geology, and integration of lunar soil chemistry into advanced chemistry curricula. Building on this foundation, the second year’s mini-grants expand into new areas of applied research and educational innovation connected to astronaut health, safety, and K–12 STEM education.

This paper will highlight the implementation strategies, student engagement, and outcomes of the Year 2 mini-grants, while situating them within the larger ecosystem of DREAM activities at UMES that bridge engineering, agriculture, and education. The paper also reflects on the role of MSIs in preparing a diverse new generation of engineers, scientists, and educators who will contribute to NASA’s Artemis program and the future of human space exploration.

Authors

Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri is currently a tenured professor in the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore(UMES). Dr. Nagchaudhuri received his baccalaureate degree from Jadavpur University (India) with honors in mechanical engineering in 1983. Thereafter, he worked in a multinational industry for a little over three years before joining Tulane University as a graduate student in the fall of 1987. He received a master’s degree from Tulane University in 1989 and a doctoral degree from Duke University in 1992. He is a member of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and, has also been involved with the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). He is actively involved in teaching and research in the fields of (i) robotics and mechatronics, (ii) remote sensing and precision agriculture, and,(iii) biofuels and renewable energy. He has been involved with several extramurally funded projects as PI or Co-PI to support outreach, education, and research activities from various state, federal, and private agencies; served in leadership roles in professional societies; and has received several awards and certificates from his home institution as well as professional societies. He has published more than 90 refereed articles in journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He has been involved with several divisions of ASEE including the Minorities in Engineering Division (MIND), and served as the division chair of the Energy Conversion, Conservation, and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNED) in 2016. He is a member of the technical committee of IEEE/ASME Mechatronics and Embedded Systems Application(MESA) and has served as the division chair in 2022. He serves as a program committee member of the Maryland Space Grant Consortium.
Dr. Madhumi Mitra Ph.D University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Dr. Madhumi Mitra is currently a professor of environmental sciences in the department of Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She is also the coordinator of Biology and Chemistry Education. Dr. Mitra is actively involved in teach
Md Sarker http://orcid.org/0009-0000-1103-0369 University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Dr. Md Sarker is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he focuses on advancing research in biomaterials, regenerative engineering, and 3D bioprinting. He received his doctoral training in biomedical engineering from Columbia University, where he conducted innovative work on hydrogel-based systems and tissue regeneration. His research integrates biomaterials design, biofabrication, and computational approaches to develop next-generation therapies for musculoskeletal and nerve tissue repair. Dr. Sarker has led and contributed to multiple externally funded research projects and collaborative initiatives. Through his work, he is committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring future scientists, and translating research innovations into real-world biomedical solutions.
Richard Warren http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5133-6389 University of Maryland Eastern Shore [biography]

Dr. Richard Warren Jr., Professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a former Maryland State Teacher of the Year, and Chair of Education Executive Policy for the Moore-Miller Administration. As an award-winning scholar, his research examines the recruitment, development, and resilience of Black male educators amid systemic barriers. Through qualitative inquiry and programmatic innovation, Dr. Warren advances strategies to strengthen teacher pipelines, support educator longevity, and reimagine equitable pathways into the profession.
Dr. Mary L Bowden University of Maryland, College Park [biography]

Acting Director of the Women In Engineering Program
Senior Lecturer and Keystone Instructor
Clark School of Engineering

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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