Prize Recipient

Steven Ojeda
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Background:

My name is Steven Ojeda and I will be a junior at MIT, double majoring in Physics and Aerospace Engineering. I am originally from Southern California and attended Mission Viejo High School where I was first enlightened&I mean, took my first physics class. The past two years have been a learning experience, with a new 'enlightenment' around every corner. I am currently working on the Micro X project, an X ray space telescope sensing the high resolution spectrum of the Puppis A supernova remnant, in the Experimental Cosmology and Astrophysics Laboratory at MIT. It wasnt until now that I realized the beauty in our worlds intricate, yet sometimes overlooked mechanisms. It is one thing to conceive ideas and designs based on theoretical physics, but another to construct and implement these ideas into reality. I am always astonished to see how the lessons I once learn in class suddenly apply to many real life problems. Come next summer, I will be interning with the heat transfer team to improve jet engines for General Electric Aviation. My excitement and motivation to continue learning, to overcome challenges, and to inspire others has never felt stronger. It is a real honor to be recognized by the American Physical Society, and I am pleased with the continual support and inspiration I have received. Just like my high school teacher once did, I aspire to inspire!