Eirik Mulder

Eirik Mulder’s research is out of this world — and he has the scholarships to prove it. A senior double majoring in computer science and aerospace engineering, he’s earned the Astronaut and Goldwater scholarships while researching space travel and completing internships.

Why Auburn

“I toured Auburn in high school and got to see some of the labs, including the aerospace lab I work in now. That research was cool to see, but I also saw a great environment here, made up of amazing people. I got the sense from the students that Auburn faculty wanted to see me succeed. Everyone I talked to was very enthusiastic. Especially within engineering, there was a lot of care for the students.”

Why engineering

“I wanted to work on aircraft or spacecraft controls, which is why I chose aerospace engineering. Computer science adds knowledge to working on guidance and navigation systems. Being able to code efficiently in those fields is really important.”

Scholarships

“I never really thought of myself as someone who would get scholarships, so I didn’t apply for any until my junior year. Looking into them, I saw the focus on long-term research matched what I wanted to do. I learned applying for scholarships wasn’t just about compiling a list of accomplishments — it was about committing to a goal and showing how I would work toward it after graduating. That focus, along with a lot of luck, helped me win the Astronaut Scholarship as well as the Goldwater Scholarship.”

Research and internships

“The Goldwater Scholarship required a lot of writing about my research, which I’m passionate about. My current research focuses on making space more accessible — specifically the region between Earth and the Moon. Making calculations for travel in those areas is complicated, and my research aims to make it easier and more intuitive.

“Last summer, I interned at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. I worked in general robotic controls, which is kind of a parallel field to spacecraft control. It was an awesome experience spending the summer learning practical skills that apply to spacecraft systems. After graduation, I plan to pursue a doctorate degree in aerospace engineering to continue research in astrodynamics.”