Graduate Student Kenny Buffo, under the guidance of Associate Professor and PI Casey DeRoo, has been awarded NASA's Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) Award in Astrophysics.

Buffo's proposed work, entitled "Assessing the Capabilities of Adjustable X-ray Mirrors with Thin-film Actuators," focuses on the development of adjustable X-ray optics, a technology that makes a microelectronics device on the back surface of a mirror allowing it to be reshaped during operation. This technology is relevant to the NASA Astrophysics Research Program, and can potentially facilitate new telescopes or instrument designs.

The award is valued at $150,000, covering his tuition, stipend, and research travel for three years.