VASBA 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Joseph Wright (ODU)Joseph Wright is a combat-decorated US Navy veteran. While in the Navy he learned network engineering and telecommunications. After his service, he worked as a network engineer and project manager at Verizon for 13 years. He is an aspiring entrepreneur, engineer, and scientist. As a "backyard scientist," he built a pyrolyzer that decomposes specific waste plastics. He was awarded a Summer 2020 Honors College Research grant and a National Science Foundation for research in the manufacturing of advanced materials. His educational goals are to complete a BS in Civil Engineering with a concentration in structural design. He plans to continue with research in composites for multidisciplinary industrial use. His research is revealing the efficacy of dielectric coatings and hopes to be an advocate for innovation that will drive economics through job creation relevant to the aerospace community. As a minority, he strives to contribute to the image of diversity within the industry that will drive others to become a part.
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Christopher C. Schappi (ODU)Christopher C. Schappi is a passionate and personable engineer with a drive to solve intricate problems in new and innovative ways. Known for his leadership skills, devotion to duty, and capacity to work on multiple projects at once with calmness and efficiency, he possesses a love for space systems with a focus on the development, design, and manufacturing of satellite structures. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Concentration at Old Dominion University with an anticipated graduation in May 2025. He has excellent experience as an ODU Undergraduate Research Assistant that has specialized in CubeSat development. Additionally, he has served for the ODU Research Foundation as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, ODU Engineering Systems Building Program, and ODU's Engineering Maker's Space and Innovation Center. He has presented to the Virginia General Assembly during prior VABA legislative receptions.
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