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Team

The people who make it happen

Space is the least explored frontier with the greatest number of opportunities for innovation. I fell in love with the possibility of building a colony on mars, vacationing on the moon, or anything else my imagination could come up with.

Vidish Gupta photo
Vidish Gupta
President and QubeSat Project Lead
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

''When we explore the cosmos, we come to believe and prove that we can solve problems that have never been solved.'' Joining STAC, I hope to research technologies that will help the world uncover more about the vast, immeasurable expanse of space - to discover solutions to problems that the world has never encountered before.

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Justin Chen
Co-External Vice President & Web Development Officer
Computer Science and Applied Math

From traces of life on other planets to mysterious stellar phenomenon, it''s both amazing and daunting to know that there is so much vast and unexplored space waiting to be discovered. I am super excited to be a part of that discovery!

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Raymond Mo
Co-External Vice President
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

I see space as a frontier of engineering. The difficulties of working in space forces us to think of new, innovative solutions to complex problems. When I am not watching the latest launch livestream, I''ll be working with STAC to do my part in finding answers for space technology challenges.

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Alexander Kristoffersen
Engineering Director
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

From touring the Kennedy space center to working on projects in STAC, I have always found a passion for space. To me, space means endless exploration with possibilities that we cannot even imagine. No matter how big space is, STAC has taught me that anyone can play a role in the future of space exploration

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Radhika Marolia
Internal Vice President
Mechanical Engineering

When I was younger, I had a terrifying, gut-wrenching fear of space. But as I learned more about its seemingly infinite possibilities, I grew to admire its formidability. Space technology is one of those fields that manages to make me feel like I know nothing about anything, and I love that. Space research is also not confined to everything beyond our planet, it presents boundless opportunities for life past our little blue marble as well as making life on Earth a little better.

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Kylie Akiyama
Biopharm Team Lead
Bioengineering

Space is about curiosity and wonderment, always looking over the next horizon of possibilities. To me, the expanse of space is also humbling to us as simple Earth bound humans. In the context of just our galaxy, we are but a small ''lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark''. My hope is that space exploration one day brings unity to our world.

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Mike Sanchez
AI Rover Team Lead
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Hi!

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Sahar Zarafshan
TIME II Team Lead
Mollecular and Cell Biology and Biochemistry

As Stephen Hawking said, ''I don''t think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space.'' Expanding space exploration and deepening our understanding of the universe, at large, is crucial for our survival. Space exploration is complex and vast, and I am ready to contribute to this urgent endeavor.

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Agnese Sanavio
High Altitude Balloon Team Lead
Mechanical Engineering

I love creating things, being hands-on, and making an impact. Space is the next frontier, and working towards exploring it can change the future of humankind. I hope to use my skills to help push the boundaries of space exploration and travel.

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Aathavan Senthilkumar
HAB Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Hi!

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Ambrose Liu
QubeSat Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Hi!

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Anish Kashyap
HAB Team Member
Computer Science

''We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.'' — Stephen Hawking

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Aryan Sood
HAB Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Space offers a plethora of possibilities and answers. It can hold our future home and even the answer to the start of our current one. The ability to extract resources on another planet and turn it into oxygen is exciting. And space helps put everything into perspective and unites us all into a cosmopolitan society.

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Audrey Young
AI Rover Team Member
Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering

It''s so cool knowing that there''s so much that''s unknown out there, waiting to be explored. To me, space exploration is making the impossible become reality, and I want to be a part of that.

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Bhavesh Kalisetti
QubeSat Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Sometimes at night I stare up at the lightless void and my mind is consumed with the endless possibilities that await us in a world beyond our comprehension\; the barriers we overcome to observe it, explore it, and maybe one day master it\; the ceaseless endeavor upon which rests humanity''s ambition, its curiosity, and perhaps its very survival as a species.

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Calvin Yan
AI Rover Team Member
Computer Science

Seeking STEM-related opportunities that improves today''s world!

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David Bui
HAB Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Hi!

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Dominic Conricode
TIME II Team Member
Computer Science and Data Science

Space is at the forefront of emerging technologies and I''m excited to tackle the challenges that come from working in the barren but beautiful environment.

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Drake Lin
QubeSat Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Space stands as the next great frontier for humanity to discover, where there are countless opportunities not just for great technological progress, but also for people from around the world to come together to advance mankind, as we have seen for decades on the ISS

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Dylan Potter
AI Rover Team Member
Materials Science and Engineering

When exploring space, we have taken what we have known and pushed the boundaries for it even further. Our curiosity, our imagination drives us to constantly look for answers. Whether that be building new systems, working with new technologies, or even questioning what we previously thought was right, gets us more intrigued to pursue these answers and go after the many things left to discover!

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Edith Llontop
AI Rover Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

I always thought how people may change their behaviors if they stood back and looked at earth''s place in the universe. It is strange that not everyone will know or even try to find out the mysteries around them, and I seek to find a way to change that. My 4-month old brother, whom I named “Uzay” which means space in Turkish, has been my first volunteer that ignited the first spark of my goal.

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Enes Baysal
TIME II Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever.

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Gina Wu
QubeSat Team Member
Nuclear Engineering and EECS

Cue to an ordinary night in the far future. A person looks up at the sky and sees a sky resembling ours, but with multiple moons. To us, it''s a surreal sight. To this person, it''s normal. I hope to help make this event a reality.

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Grace Jung
Autonomous Rover AI Member
Intended Computer Science

The challenges of space exploration bring together people all over the world, making us forget about any conflicts because they seem so insignificant in comparison to the scale of the universe. Space exploration pushes us through our limits, and it can give rise to new technologies we could not even imagine. Isn''t it exciting to see what humans are capable of doing?

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Inga Zhuravleva
QubeSat Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Mechanical Engineering Student looking to focus studies within Aerospace. I want to pursue a field in space technology so I can help further mans footprint and leave my mark on the future of aerospace!

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Ishaan Issar
AI Rover Team Member
Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering

I think exploring space and learning more about the vast unknown gives so much perspective about our place in the world. Seeing new discoveries and achievements in aerospace is always so inspiring to me, so I hope to one day contribute to them!

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Jackie Roches
HAB Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

My whole life, I have always asked ''why?'' I am curious about everything that I encounter and how the world around us works. I am interested in space because I believe that it contains the ultimate questions in our world.

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Jackie Telson
CubeSat Member
Intended Astrophysics

I am very interested in the developmental morphology of organisms in a variety of environments along with the intersection between astrobiology and the medical field as I hope to delve into the mysteries that are waiting to be uncovered.

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James Rohde
TIME II Team Member
Intergrative Biology

Exploring space is about more than just discovering what''s beyond the atmosphere– it''s the chance to understand how the universe works in ways we haven''t even imagined yet, and hopefully take back some of that knowledge to change the way we think about science here on Earth. I am so excited to be working with STAC to push the boundaries of space technology and make incredible discoveries along the way.

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Jamie Walton
QubeSat Team Member
Bioengineering

As the age old cliche goes: looking at the stars late at night always gives a sense of insignificance for ourselves and the problems of this world, but like Matthew McConaughey, it may just be that the answers to the problems of this world lie in the stars. I am so incredibly blessed and grateful to be part of this ongoing space revolution, and the challenges and beauty of engineering in space excites me to no end.

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Jared Cheng
QubeSat Team Member
Material Science and Engineering and EECS

I firmly believe that any discontinuous jump in our understanding of technology, and the universe, depend on exploration of the cosmos. Most importantly, it will take us deeper into our true origins in the universe.

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Jason Bustani
Time II Mech Team Member
Computer Science

There is so much unknown and to explore out there, who wouldn’t be curious? “There’s literally everything in space!'' -Rick Sanchez

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Jeffrey Sung
TIME II Team Member
Computer Science and Data Science

Space provides an opportunity to push engineering to the limits. Every challenge calls for unique and forward-thinking solutions that can lead to technological advances here on Earth.

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John Lomax
HAB Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Space is the ultimate destination for social distancing.

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Karen Chen
Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Hi! I''m in my second year of studying computer science and molecular and cell biology and have a passion for understanding the living world and engineering solutions for social good. I became interested in innovating in the space industry as it is not only necessary for advanced space exploration, but also allows us to rethink solutions to problems we face here on Earth.

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Katya Panchenko
Biopharm Team Member
Computer Science and Mollecular and Cell Biology

Hi, I''m Kevin! I love food and classical music. Also, space is cool.

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Kevin Shi
QubeSat Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Hey! I''m Kieran, a third year studying Microbial Biology and Aerospace Engineering :) I''m pursuing a career in Space Medicine, but I also generally love everything space. Experimenting in orbit and beyond allows us to study biology in a totally different domain, which can be invaluable for some of our current big questions.

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Kieran Brown
Biopharm Team Member
Microbial Biology and Aerospace Engineering

Hi!

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Leah Kong
QubeSat Team Member
Physics and ORMS

Hi!

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Lori Huang
AI Rover Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Space is one of the greatest unknowns and I''m fascinated in further exploring the mysteries of space. There is so much to be done and I want to contribute as well as push space technologies forward!

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Luis Flores
Time II Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

It is my lifelong mission to test my own physical, intellectual, and philosophical boundaries. With increasing astronomical private and public investments beyond the volume of the 1960s Space Race, the space industry is the literal boundary where every push transcends the reaches of humanity. History made on the moon was not long ago, and history on Mars can and will be made very soon.

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Luke Wu
AI Rover Team Member
Mechnical Engineering and Business Administration

I like space and legos :D

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Manuel Munoz
HAB Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Space exploration is one of mankind''s greatest endeavors, and the idea that I could help contribute to that in a meaningful way drives me.

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Maxwell Burns
QubeSat Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Space, one of the final frontiers of humankind. It holds some of the most fascinating and breathtaking discoveries, waiting to be uncovered. I hope to be able to contribute to the uncovering of such knowledge to advance our society.

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Megan Ho
TIME II Team Member
Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration

Since our ancient evolutionary roots, exploration and pushing the frontier has been ingrained into our nature and is what has allowed our species to progress into the modern era. Space allows us to further this natural passion for exploration, enabling us to learn more about the universe and our place in it.

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Michael Equi
QubeSat Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

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Michael Zhu
AI Rover Team Member
Computer Science

I had a dream to work for NASA when I was living back in El Salvador. STAC will help me achieve that goal by getting hands-on experience in space technologies.

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Miguel Montalvo
TIME II Team Member
Engineering Physics

Hi!

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Nikhit Kambdur
Biopharm Team Member
Moleular and Cellular Biology

Honestly, in itself, space is boring. It really just is an endless, gaping emptiness. But it is what happens in this enormous void that makes it worth investigating. Quantum entanglement, dark matter, and all other phenomena so beyond our understanding all happen in some region of space, so, in the end, it is this study of nothingness that can reveal the most absurd, challenging mysteries of the universe.

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Nikitha Chalgeri
QubeSat Team Member
Physics and Data Science

I think that the exploration of space represents progress both throughout the universe and on Earth, and I''d love to be a part of the group that paves the way towards this progress!

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Noelle Humphrey
HAB Team Member
Bioengineering

Exploring space by pushing technological boundaries improves life here on earth. Human''s long term survival depends on our ability in becoming a spacefaring species.

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Pramath Krishna
HAB Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Space is the future of our society, with so many avenues for engineering and expansion. Space is a vast and intriguing frontier, and the possibilities it offers for humans is very exciting.

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Praneeth Kanna
TIME II Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

David Tennant said that people assume space is a ''strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a nonlinear, non-subjective viewpoint, it''s more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey... stuff.'' The complexities of the cosmos will expand technology on earth, and as the universe expands, so should our developments in space exploration. I hope to help STAC push the frontier of space research.

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Priya Rajkumar
HAB Team Member
Computer Science and Data Science

Ad Astra Et Ultra.

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Rithu Paramesh
AI Rover Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Space is marks a boundary for human technology that we have been chipping away at for a long time. I''m excited to see the progress we can make as we push the boundaries space technologies and discover more about what lies beyond.

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Ryan Luu
High Altitude Balloon Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Expansion into the depths of space is our duty as humans and being a part of that journey is a privilege.

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Sai Achalla
HAB Team Member
Computer Science

I have always been intrigued by the intricacy and complexity of space. I want to utilize my knowledge to push for innovations and discoveries in the vast unknown. What we can achieve in space will be profound, and I am excited to be a part of that movement.

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Sally Peng
Autonomous Rover Project Member
Engineering Physics & EECS Minor & German Minor

For me, space is my escape from reality. It’s a completely different environment from the one we live in and it has endless discoveries. Being able to create technology that brings us closer to the new worlds waiting to be discovered is quite extraordinary. Space exploration is only going to grow and will allow us to literally reach the stars. The stars are closer than ever.

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Sanika Kamde
AI Rover Team Member
Computer Science

The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever. Tsiolkovsky

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Sara Smith
Time II Bio Team Member
Bioengineering

The cosmos offer boundless opportunity for knowledge to be learned, phenomena to be discovered, resources to be unlocked, or bodies to be colonized. Perhaps not in my lifetime, but I would happily serve as a stepping stone towards ''infinity and beyond''.

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Sean Lin
QubeSat Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Space is full of uncertainties and possibilities. The vastness of future space travel provides an intriguing alternative for a more profound investigation of the human body. I wish to push boundaries with STAC members to see what lies beyond life on Earth and take on insights from these researches in aiding life on Earth a little better.#Curiositydoesn’tkillcats

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Sophia Jia
Biopharm Team Member
Molecular and Cellular Biology

The space industry is fast growing and will change the way humans will live in the future. It takes engineering to a whole new level and pushes it limits and bounds. Space is a place where there is no limit of exploration and learning new things.

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Taniel Keosseian
TIME II Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

I’m excited most by the prospect of one day becoming a multi-planetary species. While I can''t argue that life on Mars would be better than life on Earth, I believe that technology is revolutionizing in pursuit of this dream - and that makes it worth the effort.

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Tatsuyoshi Kurumimya
HAB Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Space has always captivated and pushed our species to understand the unknown. The great mysteries staring at us in the night sky has helped develop important scientific theories and technology. The pursuit of space has not only made us more human, but it has and is still is pushing us to reach greater potentials and embark on an adventure into the great unknown.

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William Catzin
AI Rover Team Member
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

I just love engineering to death.

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X Sun
Team Member
Mechanical Engineering and EECS

The regularity of physics always interested me - especially in the realm of the universe. Participating in a couple of space-related internships allowed me to realize that sending off your computer program off into space - with your calculations and your time packed into one small box to solve the mysteries of space is intriguing.

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Yuki Ito
QubeSat Member
Computer Science and Physics

The greatest gain from space travel consists in the extension of our knowledge. In a hundred years this newly won knowledge will pay huge and unexpected dividends. - Professor Wernher von Braun

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Yusef Iskandar
AI Rover Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

To me space exploration is a rare opportunity to go where few, if any, have gone before, an unbound journey into a strange, mysterious universe, populated by our existence and that of large, opaque, swirling celestial bodies. Often I think to myself, surely there aren''t thousands of empty planets out there...

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Raiyan Rizwan
AI Rover Team Member
EECS

A hatchling must leave the comfort of its nest to grow, and we must explore the unknowns in space to advance ourselves.

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Bill Zheng
AI Rover Team Member
EECS

~100% of the universe is in space, I dont want to miss out.

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Bryce Beveridge
AI Rover Team Member
Computer Science

Not only is the universe vast and expansive, but it is also filled with entities unbeknownst to us, from potential life to undiscovered resources. In the light of human betterment and scientific progress, the exploration of space opens opportunities to develop both.

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Jared Arbolario
TIME II Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

The vastness of space puts our existence on Earth into perspective. I believe space is worth exploring not only for the scientific and technological advancements it yields for people on Earth, but also to satisfy our sense of curiosity for all that we have not yet learned.

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Aarav Goel
Engineering Director/Lunar Hopper Mechanical Co-Lead
Mechanical Engineering

Space is the final frontier, an endless cosmos of possibilities for humanity to pursue.

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David Leon
AI Rover Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Nothingness is everything. Zero is infinity. Scale is intriguing.

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Tiburon Batriedo
Qubesat Team Member
Physics

Right now the ways that we can explore space are only limited by our ingenuity and creativity. I''m excited to be a part of this movement towards the expansion of what humankind can accomplish.

Marina Jew photo
Marina Jew
AI Rover Team Mechanical Lead
Mechanical Engineering

Space is full of mystery and phenomenon, and the goal to understand it pushes us to keep on innovating. Also isnt life on Earth getting a bit boring? Maybe its time to see what else is out there.

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Vincent Lee
AI Rover Team Member
EECS

Space holds endless potential for bettering humanity. From economic growth to human expansion, space tech could benefit us in many ways.

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Julie Jin
TIME II Team Member
Bioengineering

Space is limitless, you never knowwhat you may find and that is what makes the journey exciting. Our goal is to develop various technology innovations by doing in-depth research and diving in the realm of space to build creative approaches into learning more about the industry.

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Pearl Bhatnagar
AI Rover Team Member
Molecular Environmental Biology

In the context of our vast universe, humans as a civilization are excessively insignificant. By advancing our reach outside our solar system, we can slowly but surely change that.

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Henry Nguyen
Hab Team Member
Applied Math

Please dont tell me sky is limit when there''s footprints in the moon.

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Kayla Lee
AI Rover Team Member
EECS

How cool would it be when humans could actually build machines like the Curiosity rover or Star Wars iconic C-3PO or R2-D2 and send them off to space? At STAC, I hope to research and uncover technologies involving robotics in Space.

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Laksh Bhambhani
AI Rover Team Member
Computer Science

To infinity or beyond or whatever

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Jason Guardado
AI Rover Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

I think there''s something really fascinating about the mystery of space and the questions it poses for us to answer. New discoveries and achievements in space technologies not only push the boundaries of our scientific and technological capabilities but also inspire many of us to explore and continue to ask questions about the unknown, which I find very exciting and worthwhile to pursue.

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Nicole Vargas
AI Rover Team Member
Computer Science

Hi!

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Jason Hodes
TIME II Team Member
Mechanical Engineering

Space represents the capabilities of humanity. Its (literally) an unexplored and vast region that tests the forefronts of technology and helps us better understand our future and our past.

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Sadhika Akula
AI Rover Team Member
EECS

Space is a mysterious, uncharted land heightening human curiosity and representing a driving force for humans to continue to their drive for innovation, research, and advancements.

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Iris Lee
HAB Team Member
Data Science

Space represents a great unknown with limitless possibilities to advance humanity and push the edge of research and problem-solving. To get to work on projects relating to this–that excites.

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Eric Ho
Qubesat Team Member
EECS

Space is the next frontier for mankind to explore. Limited resources and an expanding populace means that space travel and the ability to live on other surfaces besides earth is paramount.

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Daniel Bostwick
AI Rover Team Member
Data Science

I often feel overwhelmed by simultaneous feelings of existentialism and awe due to the vastness of space and the awareness of how insignificant humans are compared to the rest of the universe. Hopefully, exploring space will lead to discoveries that can answer my existential questions and broaden our understanding of the universe.

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Elaine Tong
TIME II Team Member
Bioengineering

The unpredictability of space is what excites me the most. While we can try our best to find patterns and constants within our universe, there will always be strange anomalies that will leave us scratching our heads. As I dive deeper into black holes, quantum tunneling, and string theory, I''m always fascinated by what''s left to uncover.

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Eric Wen
AI Rover Team Member
EECS

The vast unexplored nature of space provides the chance for discovery and the application of biological technology in ways that were previously only dreamt about. It is an opportunity to bring what was previously the unimaginable into reality.

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Isabelle Pummill
Biopharm Team Member
Bioengineering

Space is something that I''ve always looked up to, but never really grasped the concept. Interested in watching space tech develop and grow, I''m excited to keep exploring with everyone and see what we can do!

Leo Huang photo
Leo Huang
TIME II Team Member
Bioengineering