Three engineering students chosen for NSRI Strategic Deterrence Intern program

Three Nebraska Engineering students were among the 15 students from around the country chosen as 2024 National Strategic Research Institute Strategic Deterrence Interns.

During their nine-week immersion in strategic deterrence research, the engineering students - Grady Henexson, a senior majoring in computer engineering and member of Navy ROTC; Hayley Hogan, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering; and Gael Perez, a junior majoring in electrical engineering - briefed leadership from U.S. Strategic Command, including two high-level briefs at command headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue.

The students also contributed to two research projects that will help advance the nation's deterrence. 

Led by Andrew Harms, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and an NSRI fellow, the interns investigated concepts that could significantly reduce or eliminate unwanted effects of competing radio frequency signals within a defined spectrum. 

“This was an important experience because I got to learn about software defined radio and its increasing importance with the rise of people and companies using the radio spectrum,” said Hogan. “Being in this internship also convinced me to pursue a computer science minor and to consider going for my master’s degree in engineering.”