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Enabling Indigenous STEM students to explore the stars – with JPL NASA and STFC’s RAL Space
The first of its kind, the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) paves the way for First Nations STEM students across Australia to learn at international space and jet laboratories in the US and UK.
The program, led by Professor Christopher Lawrence and supported by the Australian Space Agency, provides a rich education and research in space and space robotics.
Selected on academic merit, NISA will accept Indigenous students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and are studying a degree in science, technology, engineering or maths at any university in Australia.
The experience will see students mentored by experts from world leading laboratories while working on unique projects such as space missions, rovers, robotics for unexplored ocean worlds, robot perception control, AI and path planning.
To prepare, students will undertake a Space Boot Camp run by Monash Faculty of Engineering covering:
- aerodynamics
- robotics
- astrophysics
- planetary science
- engineering
- computer and earth sciences
- NASA JPL and STFC’s RAL’s space exploration missions.
Students can preference either of the two labs that Monash has partnered with:
- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena LA, USA.
- STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL Space) in Harwell Oxford, UK.
Proudly supported by
2025 NISA participants
Chloe Radoll
Anaiwan woman from Tamworth
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
University of Technology Sydney
Mitchell Cooper
Boandik man from Sydney
Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
University of Sydney
Anneliese Joy
Boandik woman from Sydney
Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours)
Australian National University
Jackson Hillier
Tyerrernotepanner man from LaTrobe, Tasmania
Bachelor of Computer Science
Griffith University
Keira Moran
Yuin woman from La Perouse, Sydney
Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering (Honours)/Master of Biomedical Engineering
University of New South Wales
Kirrin Maynard
Worimi man from Newcastle
Bachelor of Science
University of Newcastle
Madison Wright
Nyul Nyul woman from Broome
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) (R&D) (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
Australian National University
Matthew Lloyd
Tharawal man from Canberra
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering and Bachelor of Finance
Australian National University
Meet the lead - Professor Christopher Lawrence
Professor Chris Lawrence is the Professor of Practice in Space Innovation and Security Capabilities at Monash Engineering and a proud Wadjak/Ballardong man from the Noongar Nation of the South West of Western Australia.
Reflecting his passion for impact, Professor Lawrence is known for successfully integrating Indigenous knowledge systems in curricula and infrastructure, and devising sound Indigenous strategies for the tertiary education sector.
He also led the development of the first Indigenous Graduate Attribute across STEM in Higher Education.
Having transformed Indigenous studies at all levels, Professor Lawrence hopes NISA will produce the world’s first Aboriginal astronaut.
GLORIA - The Indigenous Astronaut
A poem written by Professor Chris Lawrence
Experience at NASA
I went to NASA in its life sciences division. At the time I was studying how radiation effects evolutionary trajectories in micro-organisms for the trip to Mars. Visiting NASA was an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I learned new skills which helped my career, and I met amazing scientists. A particular highlight was operating the flight simulator used to train astronauts and pilots.
Dr JOEL STEELE
I had never imagined it was possible to learn and work at NASA - it was far outside the scope of what I ever thought possible. The experience opened up a lot of pathways for me and caught the attention of prospective employers.
Program graduate
Research Fellow, Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform
