Morehead State University physics professor tapped to take part in 2023 Summer Faculty Fellowship

Morehead State University professor of physics and science education Dr. Wilson González-Espada has been chosen to take part in the 2023 Summer Faculty Fellowship Program at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

This will be the fifth year that Dr. González-Espada has been selected to participate in the fellowship. The topic of the fellowship will be Improving Performance and Retention in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Dr. González-Espada has worked on two projects along with Maj. Daniel O’Keefe, Ph.D., Maj. Louis J. Cascino, Dr. Kimberly de La Harpe from the Department of Physics and Meteorology at the USAFA, Lt. Col. David Meier, Ph.D., and Maj. Christopher M. Francis. 

Dr. González-Espada is one of only 240 graduate students and faculty representing 122 academic institutions from around the country in research topics relating to the interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

The first project undertaken by Dr. González-Espada was conducting a statistical analysis of surveys completed by 136 cadets who were interested in STEM majors in high school, or as first year students, but went on to declare majors in non STEM areas of study. His second project was the development of the Survey of Meteorology Concepts, which is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying persistent misconceptions in meteorology among USAFA cadets and pre-service teachers who are part of the earth and space course that is required for Praxis II and teacher certification.

In an article posted on Morehead State University’s website, Dr. González-Espada was quoted about taking part in these projects, saying, "I have been able to contribute to STEM education as a discipline through publications, professional presentations, advising young physics faculty at USAFA, and providing the Academy with data-driven recommendations to improve cadet education from the viewpoint of someone who is not in the military. I feel fortunate that I could assist them in improving the education and training of future Air Force officers through my expertise in STEM education. It is a personal satisfaction that they want to continue collaborating with me. I encourage MSU faculty, especially tenure-track colleagues, to explore research opportunities with the Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program."   

A complete list of the awardees and more information about the USAFA Fellowship Program can be found can be found at the Air Force Research Laboratory website.

More information about Morehead State University’s Department of Physics, Earth Science, and Space Systems Engineering programs can be attained by emailing phes@moreheadstate.edu or by phone at 606-783-2381.

More information about Morehead State University in general can be found at the school’s website.