Sapphira Akins poses with an A-27 Tucano she flew in the Air Force ROTC program. Credit: UH News
A UH Mānoa student specializing in aerospace engineering was among five students nationwide to receive the 2024 Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Distinguished Undergraduate Award. Sapphira Akins, a Fall 2024 graduate of UH Mānoa’s College of Engineering, was selected for her outstanding contributions and demonstrated potential in space science and engineering.
“My takeaway is never underestimate the importance of persistence and collaboration,” Akins said in a UH News article. “All of the research projects I’ve worked on have a strong team that is willing to work together to solve problems and generate solutions.”
“Sapphira’s award is really a strong recognition of the importance of the University of Hawaiʻi’s role in the whole space science and engineering initiative, and engineering’s role in building a stronger economic sector in Hawaiʻi,” said Brennan Morioka, dean of UH Mānoa’s College of Engineering. “UH has a lot to offer in this area and students like Sapphira are sure to be leaders going forward.”