Charlie Fioriglio, a graduating senior majoring in physics and chemistry in the Arts & Sciences department at WashU, has been recognized as an Astronaut Scholar. This distinguished fellowship is awarded to outstanding undergraduate students who are pursuing studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Recipients of this scholarship can receive as much as $15,000 along with guidance from astronauts, alumni of the program, and leaders in the industry. Astronaut Scholars also participate in the Michael Collins Family Professional Development Program and are offered a fully sponsored opportunity to attend the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF)’s Innovators Symposium & Gala. This year, ASF granted 74 scholarships to students representing 51 different universities.

Fioriglio focuses on electron-molecule interactions, an area of research that necessitates expertise in quantum mechanics and computational simulations. In 2024, he earned a Summer Undergraduate Research Award and currently acts as an undergraduate research ambassador within the Office of Undergraduate Research.

“In graduate school and afterward, I aim to advance new approaches in electronic structure theory, delving deep into the fundamental aspects of chemistry. I am most enthusiastic about remaining part of a community of researchers. The connections I’ve made with other scientists have greatly influenced my development and enabled me to achieve much more than I could have on my own,” Fioriglio expressed in his application.

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