Purdue ECE student Arjun Gupte

Arjun Gupte, an undergraduate in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been named a 2025 Astronaut Scholar by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF). Gupte is one of only 74 students nationwide to receive the prestigious award this year and one of three recipients from Purdue University. His primary research advisors are James Davis, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and  Byung-Cheol Min, Associate Professor  in the Department of Computer and Information Technology.

The Astronaut Scholarship is among the most significant merit-based scholarships awarded to juniors and seniors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Scholars are selected for their exemplary academic performance, ingenuity and unique aptitude for research, as well as their intent to pursue research or advance their field after graduation.

Gupte says it is an honor to have been awarded the Astronaut Scholarship alongside such a talented group of students.

“Going from supporting Ph.D. students’ efforts in my freshman year to leading research teams and steering entire research projects in my junior year, spanning multi-agent robotic systems, software system optimization, healthcare, and more, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my undergraduate experience,” said Gupte. “I’m especially excited about the opportunities ASF offers through its professional development, mentorship, and networking programs.”

As part of the honor, Gupte will receive a scholarship award and a fully funded trip to Houston, Texas, for the ASF Innovators Symposium & Gala featuring the Neil Armstrong™ Award of Excellence. Scheduled for August 13–16, 2025, at the Omni Houston Hotel, the event will recognize each scholar on stage during the gala and provide opportunities to present research, engage with leaders in science and industry, and join a national community of high-achieving scholars.

Additional benefits of the Astronaut Scholarship include:

• Mentorship by an astronaut, C-suite executive or Astronaut Scholar alumnus
• Opportunities to participate in ASF events and the Astronaut Scholar Technical Conference
• Access to the Michael Collins Family Professional Development Program
• Membership in the Astronaut Scholar Honor Society

“Being selected as an Astronaut Scholar is the beginning of a lifelong bond with the Foundation and other scholars,” the ASF stated in its official award letter. “Your nomination demonstrates that you are more than capable of continuing to pursue the toughest of challenges and highest of achievements, and we are counting on you to help keep America on the leading edge of technology and innovation.”

Founded by the original Mercury 7 astronauts, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation supports the next generation of explorers and changemakers in STEM fields.