Why did you choose to study at Illinois and why aerospace engineering?

It is a prestigious program that provides many merit-based and need-based scholarships! It was a win-win situation.

I grew up fascinated not by rockets or planes, but space exploration, robotics, and windmills! I fell in love with just how multidisciplinary aerospace truly is. 

What course or professor helped you choose your specialty?

I have to choose two courses because they have had huge impacts on my future career.

Professor Bretl’s Aerospace Control Systems. There is no doubt about it. I was interested in robotics before coming to UIUC for aerospace engineering since I was on an FIRST Robotics Competition team in high school, but this solidified my interest in controls. 

Professor Ansell’s Sustainable Aviation. I have always wanted to study environmental engineering and enjoyed interning at Joby Aviation. So, after working at a company bringing sustainable aviation to the market, I decided I needed to learn more from Professor Ansell!

What projects stand out in which you gained technical  expertise or learned something new about yourself? 

Through Formula SAE I was able to work on design projects, assembly of the vehicle, and funding for the team. I could talk about this wonderful experience as its own conversation. I would strongly recommend getting involved in technical registered student organizations, it prepared me for fast paced technical internships. 

Another experience that I thoroughly enjoyed was the Hoeft Technology and Management Minor. I enjoyed the Industrial Design class the most. Through this class, I was able to channel a creative self that was a reason why I fell in love with engineering. I loved designing and not having to worry about how it was feasible via engineering. I kept a journal with product ideas with the mindset that I could challenge how engineering could develop rather than how the designs are limited by engineering.

By the end of the class, I thought differently about how to design and engineer a product. In addition to looking at problems to solve, I started paying attention more to the design of products surrounding me in daily life. From the chairs in the aero lounge to the sleeping pods in Sidney Lu. 

 What's something you're particularly proud of?

Within my time at UIUC I was involved in our local Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter. I have two core memories during my time in the registered student organization. First, in my freshman year in the new member round table we were tasked with coming up with a fundraiser and landed on the 1st 24-hour telethon which started a mini legacy. 

Secondly, my sophomore year I was on the external team and we decided that we wanted to create the first SHPE UIUC Career Fair for our members. We brought in six of our sponsors and continued to host a career fair in the following fall and spring semesters since then. 

Did you have any study-abroad experiences?

I was extremely fortunate to do two short term study abroad opportunities. I went to Brazil with the aerospace department and then went to South Africa a year later with Hoeft Technology and Management. With each visit, I was able to learn more about how businesses are established in each respective country. Likewise, I learned more about the cultures and languages.

But my favorite part was sitting with families and hearing their stories. Each time I came back, I was so utterly moved that I do not have the words to explain. I loved listening, laughing, and crying alongside the marvelous leaders we met on the trip. They are forever in my prayers.

Did you have any internships?

During my time at UIUC I had 3 internships that each provided unique experiences.

Honeybee Robotics: I worked on the John Hopkins APL’s Dragonfly Mission.  I designed, built, and tested a specialized testbed to simulate Titan's conditions for our mission's sampling drill. I analyzed and tackled potential failure modes, like jamming under cryogenic loads, while also optimizing spacecraft thermal management by integrating a solution into our engineering model. Finally, I automated a tool for designing a wind tunnel to test avionics cooling fans, using 3D printing for the tunnel components. 

Joby Aviation: In my first project, I designed and integrated a full-scale mockup using Catia V6 for a business proposal that was presented to the stakeholder by the end of the summer. Simultaneously, I explored what systems engineering looks like in aerospace by working with mechanical system requirements for type certification using Polarion. 

The Boeing Corporation: I've been part-time working on proprietary technology, analyzing airflow through full-scale CAD mock-ups. Additionally, when I was in person and full time during the summer, I worked in the Advanced Environment Lab. There I conducted auto-ignition and thermal vacuum experiments to understand material and component properties better.

How did you decide what to do after graduation?

Like many, four years of undergrad was not enough for me to decide a single topic that I could dedicate 4 to 6 years on, so that eliminated a PhD. Likewise, I would want three individual masters (MBA, MS in sustainability, MS in aero or robotics). So I decided to go into industry for 2 to 5 years and apply to deferred MBA programs as a senior.

I am certain that I want to work at the cross section between aerospace, sustainability, and business, just a matter of when. I hope that within five years I will gain exposure and learn what topic I would want to delve into via grad school- then pursue a 2+2 program : an MBA + MS in two years.

I am proud to say that I will be returning to Honeybee Robotics in Pasadena, California! I will be entering as a robotics engineer. Even though I do not know what exact mission I will be contributing to at the moment, I look forward to working on missions that contribute to learning more about the many worlds beyond our earth via robotics.

Do you have other career goals?

I aspire to be an entrepreneur that brings more sustainable aerospace companies to the market! Outside of my job, I want to give back to my communities by fostering business and engineering workshops for Latinos and gender minorities. SHPE and the fellowship I had have shown me how important it is to have a community that keeps giving back to future generations - this is a core value of mine.