SARP 2025 Closeout
In August 2025, the Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) showcased the innovative work of 47 undergraduate students who spent their summer immersed in Earth science research. Hosted by NASA, SARP aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among students by assigning them to four distinct research disciplines: atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and land. This year, the program was split into two cohorts—SARP West, based in Southern California, and SARP East, located in Virginia. Each cohort allowed students to explore new scientific fields, guided by expert faculty researchers and graduate mentors, enriching their educational experience and broadening their scientific understanding.
The two-month program was packed with hands-on learning opportunities, including lectures from experienced researchers and guest speakers from NASA, as well as practical fieldwork and data collection aboard NASA’s P-3 aircraft and Dynamic Aviation’s B-200. Students visited prominent NASA facilities such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center, further enhancing their exposure to cutting-edge Earth science research. In addition to fieldwork, participants received coding mentorship, allowing them to integrate programming skills into their projects, which is increasingly vital in modern scientific research. As students like Nimay Mahajan and TJ Ochoa Peterson noted, SARP not only deepened their understanding of Earth science’s interconnectedness but also emphasized the importance of collective contributions to scientific progress, regardless of one’s level of experience.
To celebrate their achievements, SARP students presented their research findings to an audience of mentors, family, and NASA personnel, highlighting the diverse topics explored throughout the program. For those interested in delving deeper into the students’ projects, NASA has made available videos of their presentations, research abstracts, and a photo gallery showcasing the summer’s activities. The SARP experience exemplifies NASA’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scientists and underscores the critical role that young researchers play in advancing our understanding of Earth’s complex systems.
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SARP students peer into the cockpit onboard NASA’s P-3 aircraft, during research flights for the 2025 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) internship.
NASA/Milan Loiacono
In August 2025, 47 students from NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) culminated a summer of science by presenting their research to an audience of mentors, professors, family, friends, and NASA personnel.
SARP is a summer internship for undergraduate students, hosted in two cohorts: this year SARP West operated out of Guardian Jet Center and University of California, Irvine in Southern California, while SARP East operated out of Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia Commonwealth University in Virginia.
SARP randomly assigns students into one of four research disciplines, to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and give them the opportunity to work outside of their usual field. Each discipline is led by a faculty researcher who is an expert in their field, and supported by a graduate mentor. This year, SARP research topics spanned three spheres: atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, covered between the two cohorts.
The beauty of Earth science lies in its interconnectedness. As a student who primarily researches atmospheric science, stepping out of my comfort zone to explore something new was truly eye-opening, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.
Nimay mahajan
2025 SARP West student
Over the course of two months, students learned more about NASA’s Airborne Science Program and Earth Science through lectures led by SARP faculty and guest speakers from NASA and the Earth science community, engaged in Earth science data collection while flying onboard Dynamic Aviation’s B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft, and participated in field trips to perform ground sampling fieldwork. Students also visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Headquarters. The program also includes other enriching opportunities such as visiting the University of California San Diego’s WAVElab and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice Rivers Center.
Students were also provided the opportunity to attend introductory programming sessions and receive hands-on support from a coding mentor to develop and strengthen their experience with code, and incorporate code in their research project.
SARP really made me realize that science is bigger than all of us, but it needs every one of us – even those just stepping into the scientific world – to contribute. Every effort, no matter how big or small, is a step forward in a mission greater than any one individual.
TJ Ochoa Peterson
2025 SARP East student
To watch videos of these student’s presentations, read their research abstracts, or see more photos from the summer, please follow the links below.
2025 SARP East Research Presentations
The 2025 SARP East Aerosols Group poses in front of the Dynamic Aviation B-200 aircraft, parked in a hangar at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virgina. During the internship, students spend a week engaged in Earth science data collection and learning from instruments specialists while flying onboard both the B-200 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft.
NASA/Milan Loiacono
Watch the Atmospheric Chemistry Group Presentations
Watch the Ecohydrology Group Presentations
Watch the Oceans Group Presentations
Watch the Terrestrial Fluxes Group Presentations
View the SARP East Photo Gallery
2025 SARP West Research Presentations
The students and faculty of the 2025 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) pose in front of NASA’s P-3 aircraft.
NASA/Milan Loiacono
Watch the Aerosols Group Presentations
Watch the Land Group Presentations
Watch the Oceans Group Presentations
Watch the Whole Air Sampling (WAS) Group Presentations
View the SARP West Photo Gallery
About the Author
Milan Loiacono
Science Communication Specialist
Milan Loiacono is a science communication specialist for the Earth Science Division at NASA Ames Research Center.
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Last Updated
Nov 19, 2025
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