Everything about Pavel Novikov’s journey has been long, winding and sometimes complicated, but each step has helped shape his character and has made him a stronger student, son and friend.
A Russian native, Pavel moved to the U.S. in 1998 when he was just 12 years old, seeking a better life with his family. He has vivid memories of playing video games as a child. “We didn’t own a well-known gaming system,” Pavel recounts. “We had an unbranded system that was better than the original. That made a huge impact on me—the fact that you could duplicate technology and really improve it for the better.”
This fascination with technology, deeply rooted in science, engineering, and imagination, led Pavel to pursue an associate degree in Welding Technology at Manchester Community College, focusing on robotic fabrication and engineering. But Pavel doesn’t dream of just welding here on Earth; he dreams of making permanent connections in the cosmos.
Pavel’s hard work and determination have led to many successes. One of his proudest achievements to date was completing the Accelerated Submarine Welding Program, sponsored by the U.S. Navy. The program focused on high-stakes fabrication in extreme environments.
“I dream of designing and testing combat astronaut armor — engineering that protects human life in the harshest conditions,” said Pavel.
It’s no coincidence that his fascination with space helped him earn a scholarship from the NASA Space Grant, managed by The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges. The award is available to full-time students with at least a 3.0 GPA enrolled in NASA-relevant STEM associate degree programs. Novikov is one of ten students who were recognized this fall for their outstanding achievement.
“I don’t just participate in STEM – I live it,” said Pavel. And his first reaction when he received the NASA Space Grant scholarship? “I called my mom,” he said emotionally, recalling that life-changing moment.
Pavel remains proud of his Russian heritage. He keeps a letter opener engraved with three Cyrillic letters – ФМК – a nostalgic keepsake from his childhood that reminds him of a dream he has carried for decades. According to Pavel, the initials stand for “Federal Military Cosmos,” a phrase that has long captured his imagination and reflects his lifelong fascination with space.
“Everything I build, whether it’s a robot, a telescope mount, or a gaming console, is part of a larger mission: to fuse creativity, discipline and truth into technologies that reach beyond Earth.”
Pavel is set to graduate from Manchester Community College in 2026.
