Ahadu Tsotaselassie Assegued
Aerospace engineering
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Graduation date: Spring 2027
FURI | Fall 2025
Handheld Off-the-shelf Multispectral Spectrometer for Improving Water Quality Estimations from Satellite-based Earth Observation
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) spectrometers as a potential tool for calibrating Satellite-based EO (Earth Observation) data in a more affordable way. This is done by comparing reflectance values obtained from calibration plates and soil samples using two STELLA devices with those of a hyperspectral imager. The results highlight similarities in behavior between the STELLA devices, although inaccuracies are noted when compared to more accurate data. Despite this, the data collection from STELLA, when integrated with more accurate devices such as hyperspectral imagers, could offer a more efficient way of collecting in-situ EO measurements.
Mentor: Saurav Kumar
It’s hip to be square.
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Featured project | Fall 2025
Ahadu Assegued, a Fulton Schools aerospace engineering undergraduate student, got involved in FURI to gain experience working in sustainability research. Working with Saurav Kumar, an assistant professor of civil, environmental and sustainable engineering in the Fulton Schools, Assegued is exploring a new method to affordably assess water and soil quality.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I wanted to get hands-on experience by doing research in a lab. I chose this project because it focuses on sustainability, and it allows me to get the research experience I want by working on a theme I’m passionate about.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
The purpose of my project is to make water and soil quality assessment more affordable by using low-cost spectrometers. This data could then be used to calibrate Earth observation satellites, which monitor our environment, to make them more accurate.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
I hope to continue my education after graduation and would like to become a researcher at some point. This experience allowed me to get an idea of what it means to work in academia.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
It’s a great way to get started with research, as it allows you to work on real-world problems while getting to connect with faculty members. It’s also a great way to develop crucial skills such as technical writing.
Have there been any surprises in your research?
I didn’t expect to have to take a lot of samples and trials to get the data I needed to process. Through this I learned to be patient with the amount of work.
