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Georgia Tech Alumnus Mahdi Al-Husseini Awarded Prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

Mahdi Al-Husseini, a distinguished Georgia Tech graduate (BME ’18, PP ’18, MS CS ’20) and U.S. Army captain, has been selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University. This prestigious fellowship, which supports exceptional students from around the world, will provide Mahdi with funding and leadership development opportunities as he continues his groundbreaking research in aeronautics and astronautics.

Mahdi Al-Husseini, a distinguished Georgia Tech graduate (BME ’18, PP ’18, MS CS ’20) and U.S. Army captain, has been selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University. This prestigious fellowship, which supports exceptional students from around the world, will provide Mahdi with funding and leadership development opportunities as he continues his groundbreaking research in aeronautics and astronautics.

Currently pursuing a PhD at Stanford, Mahdi has built an impressive career at the intersection of biomedical engineering, public policy, computer science, and aerospace research. His work focuses on optimizing medical evacuation systems, applying artificial intelligence to life-saving rescue operations, and improving battlefield evacuation protocols.

Born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and of Palestinian and Egyptian heritage, Mahdi was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, spending summers in his father’s hometown in Qatanna, Jerusalem. His global perspective has inspired him to leverage engineering for humanitarian impact. As an aeromedical evacuation officer and HH-60M Black Hawk pilot-in-command, he has logged over 800 flight hours across more than 20 aircraft models, contributing to military operations that save lives in high-risk environments.

Mahdi’s commitment to innovation is evident in his extensive research portfolio and technological contributions. He has authored numerous first-author publications in prestigious journals and conferences, including the Journal of Aerospace Information Systems and the Army War College’s Parameters. His work focuses on developing AI-driven methods to optimize evacuation routes and deploy medical aircraft more effectively, revolutionizing emergency response in military and civilian sectors.

Beyond academia, Mahdi is a licensed professional engineer, registered patent agent, and prolific inventor with over 30 patents and patent applications. His contributions have been widely recognized, with several of his patented technologies acquired by both the military and industry. Notably, he received the Major General Greene Innovation Award for developing a helicopter hoist stabilization system designed to improve medical evacuation missions. He also earned the XVIII Airborne Corps Dragon Lair Award for his work on an AI-powered aircraft maneuver training tool.

Mahdi’s military unit, Lightning DUSTOFF, was honored with the Airbus Robert M. Leich Army Aviation Award for its groundbreaking application of artificial intelligence in medical aircraft dispatch. Under his leadership, the unit pioneered a military exercise that used AI to coordinate medical evacuations between distant islands and moving watercraft, marking a historic advancement in rescue logistics.

As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, Mahdi will gain access to a global network of scholars and innovators, further empowering his mission to revolutionize aerospace medicine and rescue operations. He will complete his PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Stanford School of Engineering and will also pursue an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His selection highlights his exceptional achievements, dedication to service, and commitment to shaping the future of flight and emergency medical response. This marks Mahdi’s second prestigious fellowship this year, after receiving the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans earlier this Spring.

For more information about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, contact Georgia Tech’s Prestigious Fellowships Advising, at prestigiousfellowships@gatech.edu.

Four Years in a Row: Georgia Tech Hallac Scholarship Finalists All Receive BlackRock Internship Offers

For the fourth year in a row, ten BlackRock Hallac Scholarship finalists from Georgia Tech were extended internship offers to work at BlackRock in summer 2026. BlackRock is the nation’s largest public asset management firm, and internships in this organization are difficult to come by.

Tech Tower on Georgia Tech's campus set against a blue sky.

For the fourth year in a row, ten BlackRock Hallac Scholarship finalists from Georgia Tech were extended internship offers to work at BlackRock in summer 2026. BlackRock is the nation’s largest public asset management firm, and internships in this organization are difficult to come by.  

The BlackRock Hallac Scholarship, a legacy to the late Charles S. Hallac, provides a full-ride scholarship to two exceptional Georgia Tech students of reduced means each year. 

The Georgia Tech Career Center offers coaching for the first-year students who apply for the scholarship to help prepare them to meet with high-level executives in the firm. Students who are granted interviews are not only interviewing for the scholarship, but also for the possibility of interning. 

Electrical engineering major and BlackRock summer 2026 intern Oreoluwa Moradeyo.

“My experience with the Georgia Tech Career Center has been outstanding,” said Luis Sanchez, an aerospace engineering major also selected for the 2026 internship. “They genuinely cared about my development and helped me feel more confident and prepared as I navigated the interview process.”  

When asked what advice they would give to students considering applying to the scholarship, Luis offered, “Prepare thoroughly, be genuine, and trust that your story and experiences are valuable.”  

“Definitely do it!” Oreoluwa added. “An entity like BlackRock can be a bit daunting, but this opportunity represents BlackRock’s commitment to empowering people who love to learn. As long as you are a devoted learner, you are good enough.” 

If you are interested in applying for the BlackRock Hallac Scholarship, you can review more information provided by Georgia Tech Financial Aid here. Georgia Tech students seeking an internship, co-op, or any job opportunity are encouraged to engage the Career Center through their online resources, workshops, and one-on-one advising. Visit career.gatech.edu for more information. 

“Each year, the Career Center guides students who apply to the BlackRock Hallac Scholarship through six to seven weeks of preparation activities to ensure they have the tools and skillsets needed to represent themselves well during the interviews,” said Laura Garcia, Director of Undergraduate Career Education in the Georgia Tech Career Center. “These activities include resume writing, interviewing, etiquette prep, and more.”  

“Without the Georgia Tech Career Center, I don’t think I would have been as prepared or confident,” said Oreoluwa Moradeyo, an electrical engineering major selected for the 2026 internship. “Being selected for this experience ensures that I am in the best position to grow.” 

Aerospace engineering major and BlackRock summer 2026 intern, Luis Sanchez.

Celebrating OUESS’s Student Advisory Board Graduates

The Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success (OUESS) celebrates our OUESS Student Advisory Board Spring 2025 graduates. These individuals engaged in forward thinking discussions each month and contributed to a number of topics to support student success. Their insights have helped shape current or future programs, services, policies, and other academic initiatives.

Georgia Tech Spring 2025 Bachelors Graduation Ceremony

 

The Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success (OUESS) celebrates our OUESS Student Advisory Board Spring 2025 graduates. These individuals engaged in forward thinking discussions each month and contributed to a number of topics to support student success. Their insights have helped shape current or future programs, services, policies, and other academic initiatives.  

Shivani Virani, from Dacula, Georgia, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and minors in sports, society, and technology and health and medical sciences. Shivani most notably served as the Undergraduate Student Government Association (SGA) President this past year and voiced the opinion of an incredibly wide student body. Along with her service on SGA, she has played on the Georgia Tech Women’s Lacrosse team all four years and was a FASET leader in 2023. Following her graduation and four years of service to Georgia Tech, she is heading up north to pursue her doctorate of podiatric medicine at Temple University with plans to become a podiatrist. “Learning about the inter-workings of academics on campus and being able to give input to better the student experience for all was my favorite part of being on the Student Advisory Board,” Shivani shared. “I’d like to thank Dr. Steven Girardot for his leadership in OUESS along with Hunter Richardson for being a great chair for the advisory board.”

Sriya Surapaneni, B.S. Biomedical Engineering

Kayla Kirnon, from St. Thomas, Barbados, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in computer science. Kayla most notably served as the Undergraduate SGA Vice President of Student Life this past year, where she advocated for the needs and interests of a varied portfolio of students. She also is known for her involvements with the international student community, and more specifically as a repeat executive board member for the Caribbean Students’ Association. “I enjoyed hearing directly from administrators and staff about the challenges they were facing and how we as students and student leaders can support,” Kayla said. “I would like to sincerely thank all of the OUESS staff, as well as the other students who served on the board, for making it such a fruitful experience.”

Logan Roach, B.S. Business Administration

Shivani Virani, B.S. Neuroscience

Sriya Surapaneni, from Denver, Colorado, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and a minor in computer science. Sriya served as Vice President of Finance for the GT Society of Women Engineers and as a head teaching assistant for BMED 3100: Systems Physiology for the past two years, supporting and voicing the opinions of students in both roles. Following her graduation, she is heading to Boston to pursue her Master of Medical Science in biomedical informatics at Harvard Medical School. “It was rewarding to get to interact with various faculty and staff in different sectors of campus life and share a student’s perspective with them,” Sriya said. “I appreciate OUESS and the rest of the Student Advisory Board for their support this past year.”

Kayla Kirnon, B.S. Computer Science

Logan Roach, from Starkville, Mississippi, graduated with his Bachelor of Science in business administration, concentrating in finance, from the Scheller College of Business as the Bergmark Family Dean’s Scholar with minors in financial technology and computer science. This past year, Logan served as President of the Scheller Business Ambassadors (SBA), leading an amazing group of dedicated students to welcome new and prospective families to the college. Logan was also recognized as one of Poets&Quants’ 2025 Best & Brightest Business Majors and received the John R. Battle Award for Student Excellence last month. Following graduation, Logan is headed up to New York City to work for CIBC as a commodities sales and trading analyst. “Throughout my time on the board I enjoyed working alongside my fellow representatives on the Student Advisory Board as well as dedicated administration and faculty who displayed an unwavering commitment to improving the student experience,” Logan said. “With this collaboration, I’m excited for the future of my Georgia Tech family.” 

The Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success thanks Shivani Virani, Sriya Surapaneni, Kayla Kirnon, and Logan Roach for their service on the OUESS Student Advisory Board and wishes them the best of luck as they pursue their future endeavors.

Albert Acheampong Joins OUESS as Academic Program Manager I

We are pleased to announce that Albert Acheampong has joined Academic Success and Advising as Academic Program Manager I for Pre-Health Advising. Albert will provide support and guidance to undergraduates, graduates, and alumni pursuing careers in medicine. His contributions and role will be integral to the ongoing programing, event planning, and development of resources aimed to support the Georgia Tech pre-health community.

Albert Acheampong

 

We are pleased to announce that Albert Acheampong has joined Academic Success and Advising as Academic Program Manager I for Pre-Health Advising. Albert will provide support and guidance to undergraduates, graduates, and alumni pursuing careers in medicine. His contributions and role will be integral to the ongoing programing, event planning, and development of resources aimed to support the Georgia Tech pre-health community.  

Albert earned his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Augusta University and his master’s degree in Applied Exercise and Health Sciences with a focus in Sports Management from Kennesaw State University. He began his career in higher education as an Assistant Academic Counselor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, supporting student-athletes in balancing academic and athletic goals. Since then, Albert has served in various advising roles, including Student Success Advisor at South College Atlanta and most recently as an Academic Advisor at Life University.

Albert is passionate about helping students navigate academic challenges, creating academic plans, and developing their professional skills. He has advised students pursuing a variety of health-related majors, including pre-chiropractic, biology, exercise science, pre-physician assistant, and pre-nursing. His experience includes both traditional and non-traditional student populations, enabling him to provide personalized support tailored to each student’s academic and professional aspirations in the health professions.

An avid Dallas Cowboys fan, Albert enjoys cheering on his team. In his spare time, he stays active through exercise and loves traveling with his wife, exploring new places together.

Please join us in welcoming Albert to ASA and OUESS!

Georgia Tech Alumnus Mahdi Al-Husseini Awarded Prestigious Soros Fellowship for New Americans

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans has recognized Mahdi Al-Husseini, a distinguished Georgia Tech graduate (BME ’18, PP ’18, MS CS ’20) and U.S. Army captain, as one of its 2025 Fellows. This highly competitive fellowship, awarded to only 30 individuals nationwide from a pool of over 2,600 applicants, provides up to $90,000 in support for graduate studies in the United States.

Mahdi, who is currently pursuing a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University, has built an impressive career combining biomedical engineering, public policy, computer science, and aerospace research to optimize medical evacuation systems. His groundbreaking work applies artiVcial intelligence to life-saving rescue operations, improving patient transport times and enhancing battleVeld evacuation protocols.

Born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and of Palestinian and Egyptian heritage, Mahdi was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, spending summers in his father’s hometown in Qatanna, Jerusalem. His background shaped his global perspective, inspiring him to leverage engineering for humanitarian impact. As an aeromedical evacuation oZcer and HH-60M Black Hawk pilot-in-command, he has logged over 800 flight hours across more than 20 aircraft models, contributing to military operations that save lives in high-risk environments.

Mahdi’s commitment to innovation is evident in his extensive research portfolio and technological contributions. He has authored more than six first-author publications in prestigious journals and conferences, including the Journal of Aerospace Information Systems and the Army War College’s Parameters. His work focuses on developing AI-driven methods to optimize evacuation routes and deploy medical aircraft more effectively, revolutionizing emergency response in military and civilian sectors.

Beyond academia, Mahdi is a licensed professional engineer, registered patent agent, and prolific inventor with over 30 patents and patent applications. His contributions have been widely recognized, with several of his patented technologies acquired by both the military and industry. Notably, he received the Major General Greene Innovation Award for developing a helicopter hoist stabilization system designed to improve medical evacuation missions. He also earned the XVIII Airborne Corps Dragon Lair Award for his work on an AI-powered aircraft maneuver training tool.

Mahdi’s military unit, Lightning DUSTOFF, was honored with the Airbus Robert M. Leich Army Aviation Award for its groundbreaking application of artificial intelligence in medical aircraft dispatch. Under his leadership, the unit pioneered a military exercise that used AI to coordinate medical evacuations between distant islands and moving watercraft, marking a historic advancement in rescue logistics.

Looking ahead, Mahdi aspires to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team developing field-defining innovations in rotary-wing flight test and evaluation. His goal is to refine AI-driven technologies that enhance the precision and efficiency of medical evacuation systems, ensuring that critical care reaches patients in the fastest, safest manner possible.

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans will provide Mahdi with valuable financial support for his Ph.D. and a planned MBA at Stanford, as well as access to an elite network of scholars and innovators, further empowering his mission to revolutionize aerospace medicine and rescue operations. His selection highlights his exceptional achievements, dedication to service, and commitment to shaping the future of flight and emergency medical response.

If you are interested in applying for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, visit success.gatech.edu/prestigious-fellowships.

Georgia Tech Celebrates Two Goldwater Scholarship Recipients

Georgia Tech is proud to announce that two of its outstanding students have been awarded the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship for their exceptional academic achievements and dedication to STEM research. The recipients, Matthew Rohan and Anirudh Sriram, have demonstrated remarkable potential in their respective fields.

Matthew Rohan, a BS Chemistry student graduating in 2026, has been recognized for his commitment to studying and applying physical chemistry towards future innovation. Matthew’s journey at Georgia Tech has been marked by his passion for chemistry and his drive to contribute to scientific advancements. This summer, he will be returning to work at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Fuels & Energy Branch, where he will study deposition chemistry in jet fuel.

Matthew’s advice to new students is to find something that is both interesting and fulfilling. Reflecting on his experience applying to the Goldwater Scholarship, Matthew shared, “The application process gave me the chance to reflect on my current progress and further develop my application for graduate school. I am both humbled and honored to be among the recipients.”

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship has provided Matthew with the confidence and support to continue his academic pursuits in chemistry.

Anirudh Sriram, a BS Biomedical Engineering student graduating in 2026, aims to advance precision medicine in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on the safety and scalability of immunotherapies through computational modeling. Anirudh’s dedication to innovation via research has driven him to pursue skills within his field that he is passionate about.

Anirudh applied for the Goldwater Scholarship because it aligns with his passion for research and provides access to critical funding, mentorship, and a network of like-minded individuals. This summer, he will continue working on a project regarding gene expression analysis in various cancer tissue samples. Anirudh believes this experience will validate his research approach and open doors to collaborate with top-level researchers and scientists.

Anirudh’s advice to new students is to find what they are passionate about within their field of study and pursue skills within that space.

Congratulations to Matthew Rohan and Anirudh Sriram on their well-deserved recognition, we look forward to their continued contributions to the scientific community.

If you are interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, visit success.gatech.edu/prestigious-fellowships.

Career Center’s Davia Woulard Wins Inaugural OUE Employee Excellence Award

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) celebrates its inaugural Employee Excellence Award recipient. The award recognizes an individual or team who achieves exceptional levels of performance in one or more areas of strategic focus…

Career Center’s Davia Woulard Wins Inaugural OUE Employee Excellence Award

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) celebrates its inaugural Employee Excellence Award recipient. The award recognizes an individual or team who achieves exceptional levels of performance in one or more areas of strategic focus. 

Davia Woulard, a Career Educator for College of Design in the Career Center, was selected as the 2024 Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) Employee Excellence Award recipient. The award was presented by Vice Provost Steven Girardot and Chair for the Employee Engagement and Culture Committee Kristi Hesse, pictured above.

This inaugural award recognizes an OUE individual or team who—consistent with OUE’s mission—has been a champion for the Office of Undergraduate Education and is dedicated to enriching undergraduate education and empowering students to succeed as leaders in progress and service. This award is given in recognition of high-impact, large-scale efforts.

Davia played a leading role in driving the success of specialized events including career fairs for Architecture and City & Regional Planning, Building Construction, and Industrial Design. These events allowed students an opportunity to network with potential employers and even interview for potential internships or full-time positions. Leading up to the events, Davia offered students tips and resources, including practicing introductions and polishing resumes. She directly increased student attendance at these events each year. Davia’s commitment to prioritizing the student experience and supporting student success at these events and in her daily responsibilities made her the successful candidate for this award. 

This inaugural Employee Excellence Award was initiated by OUE, approved by the University System of Georgia Regents, and recognizes an individual employee or team who achieve exceptional levels of performance in one or more areas of strategic focus. Rewards are tied to the accomplishment of expected results which must be identified and communicated at the beginning of the performance plan cycle.  

Career Educator Davia Woulard receives the 2024 OUE Employee Excellence Award for her efforts enriching undergraduate education and supporting student success.

OUE’s Employee Engagement and Culture Committee (EECC) helped facilitate the nomination and selection process for this award.