Galen Kreifels, a freshman majoring in Mechanical Systems Management, with an Engler Entrepreneurship minor, has earned an undergraduate research (UCARE) grant to conduct research using unmanned aircraft. His project is focused on one of Nebraska’s Top Ten Water Challenges, with a goal of using unmanned aircraft to measure water quality. It involves the concept of unmanned aircraft enabled, active sensing of water turbidity. The project seeks to develop and document a prototype drone to aid in the collection of lake water turbidity data, taking advantage of lightweight, rapidly deployable unmanned aircraft platforms that can navigate to specific locations over water bodies, and collect Secchi disk data. Galen is holding a Secchi disk in the photo, along with the unmanned aircraft that he will be using for the project. Galen grew up in Nebraska City and prior to enrolling in Mechanical Systems Management, he served in the United States Army for 3 years as a Cavalry Scout. While serving, he operated the Unmanned Aerial System RQ-11 (Raven), in support of his reconnaissance platoon. After ending his service with the United States Army in 2013, Galen joined the Nebraska Army National Guard (NEARNG). After an application process and interview, he was accepted into the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program, and currently serves as a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot in the NEARNG, while attending school full-time. Galen holds FAA certifications for Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Instrument Helicopter Pilot, and Remote Pilot. He will be working with Dr. Wayne Woldt in the NU-AIRE Laboratory to complete his research project.