By: Sara Hoover

Dr. Firouzeh Sabri

Dr. Firouzeh Sabri, assistant professor of physics in the College of Arts & Sciences, has been invited to present at the International Space University’s summer space studies program in Strasbourg, France, from June 28 to Aug. 27.

Sabri, who gained international recognition for creating a coating for calibration targets used onboard NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, will be presenting a workshop on space-age materials.

The summer program is open to 125 students who are one year or less away from completing their undergraduate degree. The nine-week program is a unique opportunity for participants to experience a broad range of space-related fields.

Sabri is encouraging U of M and other local students to apply, and hopes to use the connection to the summer program as a recruiting tool for the U of M.

“We’ve just been approved for material concentration in the Department of Physics at the undergraduate and graduate level,” said Sabri. “Students who participate in these summer programs are perfect (candidates for our department) because they’re strong students and fluent in English. It’ll be nice to get international exposure (for the department).”

“You get a combination of the 125 best students across the world coming with varied backgrounds, varied expectations. The faculty are from the European Space Agency and NASA, including former NASA astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman and Dr. Michael Rycroft, general secretary of the European Geophysical Society. You get many different aspects of space studies covered in a very intense program that you normally wouldn’t even if you were doing a master’s or PhD program. You get a flavor of engineering, science, business, finance and law, all related to space exploration. It’s a combination of all these experiences brought together.”

She hopes this exposure will help expand career tracks beyond the traditional ones.

“If the student has the drive to explore, this is a good opportunity for them to do that.”

With Sabri’s role as a presenter, she also wants to establish the U of M as a steady participant in the International Space University. A goal is to eventually host the summer program in Memphis.

The cost of the program is $20,000 and scholarships are available, though financial aid deadlines have passed. The application deadline for those who do not need financial aid is April 30. Honors students are strongly encouraged to apply. All students interested in applying should first contact Sabri.

Sabri was accepted twice to the program as an undergraduate. She was able to secure aid both times. “There are scholarships and they’re very competitive, but if you’re strong you can get them,” she said.

“If you have an interest in space studies as a general approach, this would be good exposure.”

To learn more, contact Sabri at 678-2126 or fsabri@memphis.edu, or visit www.isunet.edu.