From “Star Trek” Fan to Award-Winning Researcher: VSU’s Jordan Hewins Says Science Has the Power to Change Humanity

Jordan Hewins represented Valdosta State University’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Sciences, where his research, “Modeling the Orbital Dynamics of Super Earth Kepler-62f,” earned Best Oral Presentation honors. He was recently accepted into the 2024 Edge of Space Academy, a two-week, paid summer research experience at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Jordan Hewins, an undergraduate student from Kennesaw, Georgia, anticipates earning a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and a Bachelor of Science in Physics at VSU in May 2025. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering after he graduates from VSU and pursue a career in the space industry. He discovered a passion for “humans in space” when he was just 8 years old and watching “Star Trek” on the couch with his mother.

VALDOSTA — Jordan Hewins represented Valdosta State University’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Sciences, where his research, “Modeling the Orbital Dynamics of Super Earth Kepler-62f,” earned Best Oral Presentation honors. He conducted this award-winning research under the guidance of Dr. Billy Quarles, assistant professor of astronomy and physics.

“My research was in modeling the orbital movements of an exoplanet 1,200 light-years from our star system called Kepler-62f,” he shared. “This was the third oral presentation I have ever given, and I was a little nervous at the time because of this. However, I realized something the moment just before I was supposed to present — I love science, and I love talking about it.”

Hewins, an undergraduate student from Kennesaw, Georgia, anticipates earning a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and a Bachelor of Science in Physics at VSU in May 2025. He serves as secretary of VSU’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students, an organization of the American Institute of Physics.  

“One of the many reasons I decided to study physics and astronomy and become a scientist was because I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” he said. “Nothing is bigger than our universe, bound by the physical laws, this universe that our entire species is a part of.

“The science we do benefits all of humanity in one way or another, but it will be even more satisfying if all of humanity has a grasp on the science that benefits them. This recognition for my presentation has inspired me to not only do more research and science but to also explain my work to people with the most clarity, conciseness, and love that I can offer. Hopefully, the explanations I give can get others to look at our universe in a new light.”

Hewins was recently accepted into the 2024 Edge of Space Academy, a two-week, paid summer research experience at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He will work with students from college and universities around the world to build small instrument payloads that will be integrated into drone and high-altitude platforms to take measurements of the Earth below and the atmosphere and space environment above — providing a glimpse into the NASA mission process.

“Doing quality research and science as part of a team is a learned skill, and experiences like the University of Iowa’s Edge of Space Academy are the best ways for me to gain those skills. We will be researching as a team, since doing research and science is a team effort 90 percent of the time. I will gain many lasting connections and friendships from this experience and have the most fun I can all while doing quality science.”

Hewins plans to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering after he graduates from VSU and pursue a career in the space industry. He discovered a passion for “humans in space” when he was just 8 years old and watching “Star Trek” on the couch with his mother.

“It’s a tradition we continue to this day when I am back home from college,” he added. “As a kid watching that show, I saw the best of humanity’s potential, dedicated to exploring and finding our place in the universe, in peace, as a team. We are a rather primitive species, but the future we could have after seeing our homeworld from space, the things we could learn about the universe and ourselves, is something I think about every hour. I have dedicated my life to fostering a united, multiplanetary humanity through technological and scientific advancements in the space industry. I am more than excited to be here at the beginning of that journey.”