KU student from Lawrence named Astronaut Scholar
LAWRENCE — Arthur Benson, a Lawrence native and University of Kansas School of Engineering student, has been named a 2026-2027 Astronaut Scholar. The program awards approximately 60 scholarships annually to sophomores and juniors in STEM who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, significant research experience and a commitment to pursuing a career in research.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awarded its first seven scholarships in 1986 based on founding donations from the six surviving members of the Mercury 7 project. The ASF provides a $15,000 scholarship, a paid trip to ASF’s Innovators Symposium & Gala and lifelong engagement with the astronauts, Astronaut Scholar alumni and ASF.
The Astronaut Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity for talented students in STEM, helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders in science and technology while honoring the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts.
Benson is majoring in chemical engineering with a concentration in data science and a minor in music. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering focused on hybrid energy storage systems.
“I am extremely grateful for all the career development opportunities offered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation,” Benson said. “The connections I make with astronauts, industry leaders and fellow scholars will be invaluable during my graduate studies and throughout my career.”
Benson began his research with a project on refrigerant flammability testing under the supervision of KU faculty member Mark Shiflett. He was then selected for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of California, Irvine, where he investigated an induction-heated process for sustainable hydrogen production under the guidance of Erdem Sasmaz. Since then, he has conducted research under the mentorship of KU faculty member Yiling Nan, focusing on two areas of molecular modeling: the interfacial behavior of electrolyte additives in lithium-sulfur batteries and the interactions between lignin and ions for advanced material applications.
Benson’s research has been featured in two peer-reviewed publications, and he has presented at both regional and national American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) student conferences. He is now preparing a first-author manuscript for publication and plans to present his results at the upcoming AIChE Annual Meeting.
Benson has received several academic awards, including designation as a 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar and the Outstanding Junior in Chemical Engineering. At KU, he is the treasurer of the AIChE Student Chapter, a student liaison for the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering and a member of the Madison and Lila Self Engineering Leadership Fellows Program.
He is the son of David and Nadya Benson and a graduate of Lawrence Free State High School.
Students interested in applying for the Astronaut Fellowship must first be nominated by KU. Nominees are selected in late October after a faculty nomination and an initial application.