Morgan State Senior Wins Astronaut Scholar Award

Tyrah Weems balances spiking volleyballs and studying cells with equal excellence, and now she's being recognized on a national stage for it.

The Morgan State University senior was just named a 2026 Astronaut Scholar, joining an elite group of 79 undergraduate STEM students selected from thousands across the country. Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards this honor to students showing exceptional promise in advancing scientific discovery.

Weems stood out in a highly competitive field. Only four historically Black college or university students received the scholarship this year, making her achievement even more remarkable.

The Virginia Beach native carries a 3.99 GPA while majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. But her academic record only tells part of the story.

Weems has conducted biomedical research at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, investigating neurological diseases and HIV-associated disorders. A family health experience sparked her interest in translational science, the work that bridges lab discoveries and patient care.

Her research focuses on early disease detection and expanding healthcare access. As an aspiring physician-scientist, she wants to see her work directly improve patient outcomes.

Morgan State has now produced five Astronaut Scholars since 2020. Weems joins previous recipients who've continued the university's tradition of STEM excellence.

The Ripple Effect

The scholarship brings more than recognition. Weems will receive mentorship from a NASA astronaut or STEM professional, membership in the Astronaut Scholar Honor Society, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Houston for the foundation's symposium and gala.

There she'll present her research alongside America's brightest young scientific minds. The yearlong professional development program connects scholars with leaders shaping the future of science and technology.

Meanwhile, Weems continues excelling on the volleyball court. She's a standout player for the Morgan State Bears and was named a 2026 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Female Athlete of the Year semifinalist. She also served as Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President this year.

"It's the greatest honor to have been selected as an ASF scholar, and especially to have represented my Morgan State biology mentor," Weems said. "Even more pride to be representing my institution on such a large scale."

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has invested more than $9 million supporting future scientists, engineers and innovators since its founding. Each scholar represents not just academic achievement but the potential to solve tomorrow's biggest challenges.

From the volleyball court to the research lab, Weems is proving that excellence has no limits when passion meets opportunity.