Lab Animal Science Student Robinson Named 2023 Astronaut Scholar

As one of three A&T students to be named a 2023 Astronaut Scholar, Breyana Robinson wants to draw more attention to her field: animal sciences.

Last May, Robinson, a laboratory animal sciences junior in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, received a 2023 scholarship by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

“It makes me really proud to receive it,” said Robinson. “It makes me proud that animal sciences are being recognized on such a high stage within the caliber of fields like astrophysics and engineering.”

Robinson was one of three students from N.C. A&T to receive the scholarship this year, alongside College of Engineering students Maya Odom and Kristi Barnes. As Astronaut Scholars, all three will receive educational funds up to $15,000; a trip to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s Innovators Week and Gala in Orlando in late August; the opportunity to present their research at a technical conference; and lifelong engagement with astronauts, STEM researchers and innovators, Astronaut Scholar alumni, and the ASF.

“For three students enrolled in North Carolina A&T to receive the Astronaut Scholarship is truly an honor for the university, and for one of those students to be majoring in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is especially rewarding,” said CAES dean Mohamed Ahmedna, Ph.D. “Our college is proud of Breyana on this achievement, and we are encouraged that the scholarship will financially assist her through college and add to her growing, impressive resume. We thank the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for recognizing and selecting Breyana and look forward to where this support will take her post-graduation.”

Growing up in Garland, Texas, Robinson says she’s always wanted to study veterinary medicine, but she didn’t know about N.C. A&T.

“At my home, we’ve always had horses, cows, pigs, and so on,” said Robinson. “That’s what got me interested from the start.”

After receiving an associate of science degree from Dallas College in 2020, she was tipped to N.C. A&T through a professor at Purdue University.

“Since I’m from Texas, I didn’t really know anything about A&T,” said Robinson. “I didn’t even know it existed when I was applying for full-time college. But the professor at Purdue recommended the laboratory animal sciences program because I was interested in research and becoming a research veterinarian, and A&T had the prerequisites to go into veterinary school.”

Robinson enrolled in 2021 and took on numerous roles right away, including an active term as president of the college’s Pre Veterinary Medical Association. She also studies ruminal acidosis in beef cattle as an Undergraduate Research Scholar in Uchene Anele, Ph.D.’s ruminant nutrition lab.

“I absolutely love the Department of Animal Sciences,” said Robinson. “When you think about the hands-on experience, the real-world experience, and the mentorship we get, there’s no other thing that can top it.”

While taking advantage of these opportunities in her department, an unlikely opportunity came last Spring.

“I found out about the Astronaut Scholarship through Ms. [Alsace] Gallop, the scholarships and fellowships coordinator in the school,” said Robinson. “This was an external opportunity and Ms. Gallop had recommended it. I figured, ‘Sure, I might as well apply.”’

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit founded in 1984 by the surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, provides more than 60 scholarships annually to the most academically accomplished undergraduate second- and third-year students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) intent on pursuing research or advancing their fields upon graduating.

This year, 68 students – including Robinson, Odom, and Barnes – were selected from 46 different nominating institutions.

“I was honestly shocked when I found out I had won,” said Robinson. “I honestly didn’t think I had that big of a chance winning because this is a scholarship that’s very STEM oriented, and  I feel that animal science studies aren’t recognized as a STEM field, at least from my point of view. So this is a chance to bring recognition to our department.”

“This is tremendous news, both as a demonstration of the Department of Animal Sciences’ student excellence, but more importantly for Breyana’s academic growth and development at North Carolina A&T,” said animal sciences professor and chair Radiah Minor, Ph.D. “Our department is delighted and proud of her for this accomplishment, and we would like to thank the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for considering and awarding Breyana.”

Robinson additionally thanked coordinator of veterinary education Andrea Gentry-Apple, Ph.D., whom she called “a rock star mentor.”

“She’s been my professor, my mentor, and my confidant,” said Robinson. “She’s really helped me see where I want to go with my career in the future and has really helped me shape it.”

“Breyana embodies the qualities every student and future researcher should have, tenacity, resilience, persistence, and great enthusiasm,” said Gentry-Apple. “I know she will uphold the morals and ideals of the Astronaut Scholarship.”