Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner – Kaitlyn Roman

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded 20 $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power related fields of study. One of the winners, Kaitlyn Roman, is attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We asked Kaitlyn a few questions about winning the scholarship.

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?

Winning the NFPA Fluid Power Scholarship affirms my commitment to developing more advanced fluid power systems in aerospace applications. It also lessens the financial burden of attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, allowing me to focus more on my studies and research. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the support of the National Fluid Power Association as I begin this next chapter in my life!

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?

I became interested in fluid power after designing a nanotechnology-enhanced spacesuit and developing stacking and banding machines as part of a mechanical engineering internship. These experiences showed me how hydraulic and pneumatic systems enable precise control of complex systems, but often come with size and weight challenges. I plan to work on miniaturizing these systems to make them lighter and more efficient, especially for spacesuits and satellites where every ounce counts.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?

After graduating, I hope to become an aerospace engineer specializing in developing more efficient hydraulic and pneumatic space systems, which are essential for controlling satellites and pressurizing spacesuits. I plan to focus on miniaturizing these systems to make them lighter and more effective while maintaining their reliability in the extreme conditions that systems endure in space. This work will allow me to contribute to innovations that improve the performance and safety of space missions, enabling humans to undertake more ambitious space missions.

A minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, 500-word essay, and letter of recommendation were required from each applicant. The NFPA Foundation’s goal is to help graduating high school students, and individuals enrolled in community colleges, technical schools and universities pursue their academic interests in fluid power.

One way NFPA members can get involved with scholarship programs is to volunteer as a judge to serve on the application review committee. This year 34 judges from 26 NFPA member companies reviewed 241 eligible student applications to the Fluid Power Scholarship program. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Haley Nemeth at hnemeth@nfpa.com.