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University of Maryland (UMD) aerospace engineering doctoral student Melissa Buys received the “Most Effective Presentation” award at the 2026 Space and Satellite Professionals International (SSPI)–Mid Atlantic Student Scholarship Competition.
Hosted each spring by the Mid-Atlantic chapter of SSPI, the competition brings together undergraduate and graduate engineering students to present research to a panel of industry experts, who evaluate projects on technical merit, presentation quality and responses during question-and-answer sessions. SSPI is one of the largest international professional networks in the space and satellite industry.
Buys was recognized for her presentation, “Triboelectric Charging and Six-Degree-of-Freedom Integration of Mesh Objects in a Discrete Element Method Simulation Framework for Lunar Surface Applications.”
Supporting the future of lunar exploration
Buys’ research paper addresses a growing challenge for future lunar missions: how electrically charged lunar dust and regolith interact with equipment operating on the moon’s surface.
Because the moon lacks an atmosphere and is constantly exposed to solar wind, surface materials can accumulate significant electrostatic charge, particularly in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) near the lunar south pole, where NASA’s Artemis missions may eventually send astronauts and robotic systems.
“PSRs and polar craters are of scientific interest because of the potential existence of water ice and other cold-trapped volatiles,” explained Buys.
Her work focuses on improving simulations that predict how charge transfers between rover wheels and the potentially charged granular lunar soil. In turn, this helps researchers better understand how electrostatic forces may affect vehicles, instruments, and astronauts operating on the moon.
“This framework provides the foundation for high-fidelity simulations of triboelectric charging between rover wheels and granular media,” added Buys.
As part of her work in the Planetary Surfaces and Spacecraft Lab, working under the advisement of Professor Christine Hartzell, Buys is also helping to develop a “lunar lint roller” designed to remove dust particles from surfaces and spacesuits using synthetic bio-inspired materials that mimic the grip of gecko skin.
“This is a very exciting project as dust mitigation is also extremely important for the upcoming Artemis missions and for any potential future lunar colony,” said Buys.
Her trajectory to Maryland Aerospace
Born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa, Buys first became interested in aerospace engineering while learning about the International Space Station in high school.
Her interest in research then expanded during an undergraduate exchange program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she worked in their Space Propulsion Lab developing manufacturing methods for polymer electrospray emitter tips.
After completing her mechanical engineering degree at the University of Pretoria, she came to the University of Maryland as a Fulbright scholar to pursue a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.
Now preparing to graduate in spring 2027, Buys hopes to continue into academia through a postdoctoral research position.
In addition to her research contributions, she has held multiple leadership roles within the department, serving as president of the Aerospace Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Committee for three years and representing the department in the Graduate Student Government for two years.
Recognizing enthusiasm and communication
For Buys, the SSPI award represented more than technical achievement, it also reflected the value of enthusiasm, communication, and community within research environments.
“As I’m sure many graduate students can tell you, doing a Ph.D. is not an easy task and at times it can feel very isolating and overwhelming,” said Buys. “Being recognized for my work in this way is extremely encouraging, especially since I am working towards graduating next year.”
She added that feedback from the judges left a lasting impression.
“On the day of the competition, one of the judges said he loved my energy,” she said. “I will probably remember that comment much longer than I will remember that I won an award. I think it is so important to create an inclusive environment in academia and being recognized for my passion and excitement about my work is very validating.”
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May 7, 2026
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