UGA’s student-led Small Satellite Research Laboratory was recently chosen by the United States Air Force to build and launch a satellite into space. One of Dodd’s graphic design students, senior Paul Hwang, is a member of the small satellite team. The UGA Small Satellite Research Laboratory was founded in 2016 by UGA students with the goal of launching small, inexpensive satellites into space for gathering scientific data and providing experiential learning opportunities for University of Georgia students. The lab is an undergraduate-led research lab, mentored by faculty, with students from a variety of disciplines across campus leading and operating the lab. Hwang's role on the team is as lead graphic designer, which is part of the lab operations team. His responsibilities include creating mission patches, establishing branding, promotional design, educating other designers joining the team, and creating imagery.

The student-built spacecraft that will be launched into low earth orbit by the USAF is a CubeSat: a “specialized class of miniaturized satellite that can be deployed more cheaply than larger spacecraft,” while still allowing for significant data to be collected, according to the UGA Today press release. Only two schools were selected to test their spacecraft: the University of Colorado Boulder and The University of Georgia. Within the next two years, the team is expected to build and deliver the satellite to the Air Force Research Laboratory. The satellite team's mission is to place UGA among the top spacefaring universities in the world and to give UGA a permanent presence in outer space. 

Hwang already has experience working and interning in User Experience & Interface (UX/UI) Design Intern for companies such as Amazon, State Farm, and Coofleaf; he also does photography with expertise in traditional design software, programming, prototyping and front-end development. Paul also helped organize the inaugural UGA hackathon in 2017, UGA Hacks, which created an opportunity for students to learn about innovative technology and collaborate with teams from other disciplines and institutions.