Unique Technologies and Facilities at Edwards AFB's AFRL
Attract 15-Year-Old Doctorial Fellow

Future research opportunities for the nation's youngest PhD student is her attraction to the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Edwards Research Site this summer.

Alia Sabur is 15 years old and is currently pursuing her doctorate in nanotechnology at Drexel University located in Philadelphia, Penn.  She graduated summa cum laude from New York State University at Stony Brook with her Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics when she was 14.

Alia's passion for science is as important as her passion for music.  She is noted for her musical abilities with the clarinet, playing with orchestras since she was 11.   Alia studies with Ricardo Morales, the principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.  Playing mostly classical music, she considers it to be as important as her academic studies.

Her doctorial studies, summer research, and introduction to the Air Force's world of scientific research and development was enabled by her receipt of a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship.  In addition to her tuition and fees being paid by AFRL's Air Force Office of Scientific Research or AFOSR, Alia also receives a generous monetary stipend for the duration of her studies.  An important part of the Lab, the AFOSR is responsible for the oversight of Air Force fundamental or basic research efforts across the nation at universities and Lab facilities.  There are also research efforts supported through AFOSR's European and Asian offices.

Alia's extended visit to AFRL's rocket propulsion technology research facilities this summer is intended to provide an orientation to the broad spectrum of research and development pursuits being conducted at the Lab's Propulsion Directorate.  Alia stated that, “I hope my research (this summer) will provide an introduction to the cutting edge research taking place at Edwards.  The (Rocket Lab) folks are really friendly and enthusiastic.  They really enjoy what they are doing.  ”  Earlier this year, Alia told Associate Press reporters that her scientific pursuit is “The study and creation of electronic devices using optics, at the nanoscale.”  The study area, known as NanoPhotonics, is a very promising research area for extremely small devices useful for unlimited scientific and medical applications. 

Identified as a prodigy at the age of eight months when she began reading and talking, Alia was enrolled in college at age 10 to pursue her engineering degree.  She was the youngest female to graduate from college last year. 

For her personal enjoyment, according to Alia, she likes Broadway shows, magic, and music that range from classical to blues and jazz.  Practicing her clarinet for three hours every day, she also welcomes the opportunity to perform in musical concerts. One of her favorite selections is the Mozart Clarinet Concerto.

When asked about encouraging other young women to enter the sciences, Alia replied that, “Girls are afraid of being perceived as nerds or dweebs.  I try to show that you can be normal, have friends, and not (act like) a dweeb.”  During a noon time seminar on her research efforts, surrounded by her new friends, the scientists, engineers, and staff of Lab, Alia was accepted as a peer and a really normal person interested in advancing science and technology.

According to experts throughout the world, young people like Alia are noted for their talents with mathematics and music.  Historically, other noted prodigy made their marks on science, mathematics, and music.  Beethoven and Mozart were very young children when their musical talents were recognized.  Mozart began composing music at the age of five.

The world of science and mathematics might not be the same without the contributions of prodigy like Pascal, Newton, and Euler, the Swiss mathematician and physicist considered to be one of history's most prolific mathematicians. Another prodigy, the Hungarian-American mathematician von Neumann was able to divide eight-digit numbers in his head at age six, and is best known as devising the computer architecture used in virtually all home, business, and super-computers today.

The AFRL's Edwards Research Site is located on 65 square miles of Edwards AFB.  Its unique research and development facilities provide the Propulsion Directorate scientists and engineers with the Air Force's most modern rocket propulsion technology capabilities in the nation.  Almost every American space launch vehicle, ballistic missile, and spacecraft propulsion system can trace its legacy to the efforts of the men and women of the Site.

With innovative efforts by researchers like Alia Sabur and the AFRL personnel she worked with this summer, the task of turning science fiction into scientific fact becomes easier.

Approved for Public Release Aug 5, 2004 as AFRL ERS PAS04-167&&For more information contact:
Ranney Adams, AFRL Public Affairs – Edwards Research Site
661-275-5465
Background and legacy of the Edwards Research Site:  www.pr.afrl.af.mil
Background on Alia Sabur is located on her website:  www.aliasabur.com

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