Meet our Team
Lab Director
Paula do Vale Pereira
Assistant Professor
UCF Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Paula do Vale Pereira’s research focus on space exploration technologies. Her work bridges cutting-edge research in space systems, spacecraft design, and mission architecture, aiming to advance humanity’s reach beyond Earth.
She has a Ph.D. in Space Systems (2022) and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (2019) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she was part of 3 space missions from Pre-Phase A through operations and decommissioning, having commanded over 400 ground station passes. She was a Visiting Researcher at NASA JPL for 9 months, was part of NASA’s Planetary Science Summer School, and interned at Facebook Connectivity Labs twice, where she worked on space-based laser communications. She has been a Deputy Technical Program Chair for AIAA ASCEND conference since 2023, Chair of Technical Affairs of AIAA’s Small Satellite Technical Committee since 2024, and Technology Co-Lead at NASA’s Ocean Worlds Working Group since 2024.
Interested in: Lunar and planetary exploration missions, especially related to the Artemis Program.
Graduate Students
Owen Baylor
Micah Boudreau
Edward Clutter
Andrew Dean
M.S. student
Ph.D. student
Ph.D. candidate
Ph.D. student
Research Interests: I am currently developing a laser testing system to determine how lunar dust affects laser attenuation. This research will help determine the efficacy of laser communications and power delivery on the lunar surface.
Research Interests:
My research interests span across deep space from asteroids, the moons of Jupiter and outer planets, and human spaceflight. I currently focus on building computational tools for spacecraft navigating asteroids and other irregular gravitational environments. The tools I build are intended to assist deep space missions to asteroids for close fly-by, landing, and touch-and-go.
Research Interests: Topics of interests are fluid mechanics, turbulence, and computational fluid dynamics. Current research is focused on the use of computational fluid dynamics to model heat shield separation and the development of a reduced order model for heat shield separation. Background includes experience with applications of computational fluid dynamics for aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.
Research Interests: I am interested in heat transfer and fluids as well as power systems. I am researching the power requirements of lunar bases powered by molten salt fission reactors. I am also designing a testing chamber to simulate the mid-descent ice conditions of Europa.
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida
Degree(s): Associate of Science from Chattanooga S. Community College.
Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from University of Central Florida.
Degree(s): Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Mississippi State University.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Memphis.
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Astronautics from Florida Institute of Technology
Award(s): NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity (NSTGRO) Fellow
Kevin Johnson
Isabelle Kaltenbaugh
Meagan Thatcher
Isha Trada
Ph.D. student
M.S. student
Ph.D. student
M.S. student
Research Interests: My research interests focus on fixed-wing UAVs for planetary exploration, especially their use for long-duration atmospheric science at Uranus. I am particularly interested in aerodynamic design, CFD analysis, and the broader mission architecture needed to support such vehicles, including power, navigation, communications, and orbiter–probe–UAV system integration.
Research Interests: Focused on spacecraft structural integrity and analysis. Passionate about advancing deep space exploration through research on deployable and unfurlable spacecraft structures, integrating finite element modeling with fatigue and fracture mechanics experimentation. Current research involves characterizing freezing-induced stiffness changes in fluid-filled structural members for potential applications on planetary exploration mission structures.
Research Interests: I am primarily interested in the application of machine learning and neural networks in spacecraft autonomy, astrodynamics, and guidance, navigation, and control. I am passionate about furthering space exploration and enabling more complex mission designs through autonomy.
Research Interests: I work on the development and evaluation of navigation and velocity estimation systems for melt probes designed to explore the subsurface oceans of Ocean Worlds. My research focuses on developing reliable methods to track probe position, monitor descent velocity, and support autonomous navigation during ice penetration, contributing to future planetary exploration missions.
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from Arizona State University.
Master of Science from the University of Central Florida
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy from Brigham Young University
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology
Award(s): AIAA Cape Canaveral Section Chair (Elected 2026)
Award(s): UCF ORCGS Fall ’25 Fellow
Undergraduate Students
Sofia Bode
Ivan Briones
Jane Cichock
Delaney Cronin
Research Interests: Interested in the R&D of space technology and robotics for discovery advancement in cosmology and Earth science research. Eager to explore the development of autonomous systems capable of operating in extreme environments, and to investigate how the methodologies from deep space exploration can enlighten advanced Earth observation and planetary analysis.
Research Interests: I’m primarily interested in characterizing the chill-down process in cryogenic fluid lines during in-orbit spacecraft refueling. Additionally, I’m interested in the development of lab-scale, argon-based hall effect thrusters, a type of electric thruster used on satellites for orbital raises.
Research Interests: My main research interest is robotics, specifically how robots can be designed and used for space exploration. I am interested in developing robotic systems that can operate in challenging environments, such as the Moon and Mars, and help make future space missions possible. I am particularly interested in robot design, mobility, and autonomous systems.
Research Interests: My primary research interests are in optical systems and their applications in astronomical observations and research. My goal is to explore astrophotonics and its uses in all space-related research and discoveries. In the long term, I hope to help develop space telescopes to advance future research endeavors.
Award(s): National Merit Scholar, Burnett Honors College
Hunter Delaney
Brennen Hocenic
Samantha Khan
Grante Kramer
Research Interests: My primary research interests lie at the intersection of mechanical design and space hardware integration with a specific focus on thermal management and reliability in extreme environments. By conducting research in these areas, I hope to expand my practical skill set as a mechanical engineer while contributing to reliable space exploration technologies.
Research Interests: I am interested in the application space system design and dynamics in orbits. Specifically, how system design choices such as structure and software can impact the dynamics and flight of spacecraft.
Research Interests: Most of my research interests stem from wanting to learn about the lunar surface and how it affects everyday life on eventually living on the moon. I have always enjoyed learning about the moon’s surface as it is our future as a community. One of my favorite books is “Artemis” by Andy Weir which is based on living on the moon and soon we will get there.
Research Interests: My primary research interests lie in the intersection between aerodynamics and propulsion systems, with a specific interest in the application for space exploration. By conducting research in these topics, I hope to expand my knowledge as an aerospace engineer.
Award(s): UCF President’s List
Award(s): President of the Society of Women Engineers
Michael Kraus
Nathan Nicholson
Juliette Pimbert
Annabelle Polk
Research Interests:
Research Interests: My research interests include experimental testing, spacecraft engineering, and technologies for space exploration. I am particularly interested in designing test systems, conducting experiments, and analyzing data to evaluate the performance and reliability of aerospace systems. Through research, I hope to expand my technical knowledge and contribute to advancements in space exploration.
Research Interests: I am interested in lunar nuclear power and ISRU applications to look for solutions to survive the lunar night.
Research Interests: I’m an aerospace engineering undergraduate at UCF. My job in the ASTRA lab as a undergraduate researcher is to help design a reusable mold that produces clear, bubble-free cylindrical ice specimens using directional freezing. I research the way we can manipulate directional freezing with materials and mold design configurations.
Award(s): UCF Dean’s List
Arujith Shimhan Ramasubramanian
Research Interests:
Location:
Engineering 1, Room 375
12760 Pegasus Drive, Orlando, FL 32816
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