Contact - Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Propulsion Laboratory

Information for Prospective Researchers

A career in research can be a challenging but rewarding one, and depending on your current career stage and ongoing commitments, pursuing a research opportunity in the UT San Antonio Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Propulsion Laboratory may or may not be appropriate for your path. For all levels (undergraduate, M.S., Ph.D., postdoc), you will get the most out of a university research opportunity if you are able to dedicate enough time to challenge yourself and grow your skills. Additionally, understand that some research projects—especially those sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense—may have eligibility criteria based on U.S. citizenship. In general, the prioritization for funded student positions is ordered from Ph.D. > M.S. > B.S. In all cases pertaining to questions about research opportunities (described below), it is best to contact Dr. Pineda via email to schedule a time to communicate, either in person or via conference call. Unscheduled office visits are not likely to yield a productive conversation.

Prospective Ph.D. Students

Depending on whether you are coming straight from undergraduate studies, already have a M.S. degree, or are returning to graduate school from some time working in industry, the Ph.D. can be anywhere between a 4- and 6-year commitment (normative time is 5 years). If you are seeking a Ph.D. and interested in conducting research in the UT San Antonio Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Propulsion Laboratory, understand that—per MAIE department policy—the eligibility to receive either GTA or GRA funding is contingent on students not having concurrent employment outside of UT San Antonio. This maximizes your time available to simultaneously focus on coursework, teaching/mentorship, and your research project(s) in the laboratory. Interested prospective students should send Dr. Pineda an email including their latest resume and a draft statement of purpose for the Ph.D. application at UT San Antonio. Prospective Ph.D. students are recruited based on availability of funding and space in the laboratory, openness to working in a team-oriented environment involving mentorship and teaching of more junior students, potential for academic achievement in graduate-level coursework, and demonstration of a strong commitment to a career in research and raw curiosity in fundamental physics and chemistry.

Prospective M.S. Students

A normative time for an M.S. degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering is 1.5–2 years, depending on whether you start in the Fall or Spring and if you elect to take thesis credits in the summer. If you are seeking an M.S. and interested in working with the UT San Antonio Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Propulsion Laboratory, the general expectation is to pursue a research-based thesis that centers around a hypothesis-driven question. Full-time students are prioritized for funded GRA positions associated with a sponsored project, and part-time students may be considered on a case-by-case basis for joining the group based on the alignment of their current career path with topics relevant to our research program. If you are an enrolled M.S. student and in need of a research advisor to continue your enrollment, it is recommended that you reach out early and, if possible, take a course with Dr. Pineda to more directly assess your work ethic and approaches to problem solving. Interested prospective students should send Dr. Pineda an email including their latest resume and a description of their specific interest in our research topics. Prospective M.S. students are recruited based on availability of funding and space in the laboratory, openness to working in a team-oriented environment, potential for academic achievement in graduate-level coursework, and a demonstrated drive to specialize in topics relevant to our research program.

Current B.S. Students at UT San Antonio

If you are a current undergraduate student at UT San Antonio and are interested in graduate studies, getting involved in undergraduate research can be a great way to identify if this is a career path for you. We ask that interested undergraduate student researchers initially attend research group meetings or pursue an independent study with Dr. Pineda for a semester to see if there is a match in 1) potential for a career in research, 2) interest in the available / ongoing projects, and 3) available time and drive to commit to one or more of these projects. It helps if you have had a class with Dr. Pineda or are an active member of the UT San Antonio Aeronautics and Rocket Club to more directly assess your work ethic and problem-solving approaches; we typically ask undergraduate students to complete ME 3663 Fluid Mechanics (or equivalent upper-division course in non-ME majors) prior to formally joining the research group since it is a foundational topic that greatly enhances the research experience for students, although many UT San Antonio programs (e.g., Top Scholar) have research requirements earlier than this and such students are considered on a case-by-case basis. It is important to understand that success in research requires the ability to commit multiple hours at a time to solving complex problems, consistent and reliable availability and responsiveness, and strong time management and organizational skills. Undergraduate research is not an experience that can be fully realized by coming in an hour here and there between classes or between shifts in outside employment. Interested prospective students should send Dr. Pineda an email including their latest resume as well as a description of their current progress in the B.S. degree program. Prospective undergraduate researchers are recruited based on availability of funding and space in the laboratory, potential for a career in research, demonstration of strong work ethic and coachability, and the availability of time to dedicate to research projects outside of classes and work without detracting from academic progress.

Current high school and community college students

If you are a high school or community college student in the greater San Antonio interested in engineering at the university level with a focus in aerospace or mechanical engineering, it is recommended that you pursue summer opportunities through programs such as UT San Antonio’s Pre-freshman Engineering Program (PREP) or through one of the many collaborative summer internship programs through Alamo Colleges. At this time, we have no direct mechanisms outside of these programs to financially or logistically support external non-UT San Antonio students.

Laser Spectroscopy and Chemical Propulsion Laboratory
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering
One UTSA Circle
AET 2.206
San Antonio, TX 78249-0670