M.Sc. Researchers

Evan Sánchez

Post-Proposal M.Sc. student

Research: “I am an AE graduate student and my work focuses on thermal management via a magnetohydrodynamic pump for hypersonic reentry vehicles. I previously worked on fluid damping analysis with the LGST Lab where we designed a mechanical system to test and analyze different tank geometries’ natural frequencies and damping coefficients. I am excited to continue working with all the incredible people in the lab!“

Filippo di Benedetto

Pre-Proposal M.Sc. student

Research: “I am an AE graduate student, and my primary work will focus on creating magnetic field mapping devices to support the lab’s ongoing ferrofluidic ionic liquid mirror project, continuing some of my previous work while in undergrad. In addition, I am extremely enthusiastic to be joining the LGST lab to work on near-future space technologies and collaborate with the rest of the LGST team!“

Luca Silveri

Pre-Proposal M.Sc. student

Research: “I am a dual degree student in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech and Astronautical and Space Engineering at Sapienza. During my bachelor’s, I was team leader of the Sapienza Space Team and conducted a CFD study on the base drag generation of a launcher. My interests lie mainly in fluid dynamics and space systems design. At LGST my research will focus on sloshing, from a theoretical modelling and computational point of view. I strongly believe in teamwork and interdisciplinarity, as approaching a problem from different angles is one of the keys to successful scientific research. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, hiking, and playing chess.“

Awards: La Sapienza-Georgia Tech Exchange Program

Jack Herman

Research: “I am excited to work with the amazing people in the LGST lab. As an incoming AE graduate student, I am working to characterize the magnetic properties of neodymium magnets for LGST’s liquid mirror telescope demonstration. Previously, I led the rocket propellant sloshing application team to build and launch a Level 1 high-powered rocket to study sloshing dynamics under high acceleration.”

Joseph Walker Brown

Research: “As an AE graduate student, I am assisting in designing novel propellant management systems through acoustic bubble management. Previously, I worked on slosh-damping correlation validation with the LGST Lab, where we designed fluid sloshing experiments inside a rocket to align sloshing mathematical models to reality.“

Michael Peña

Research: “I am an AE Graduate student and I primarily support the liquid mirror telescope project as a hardware and test engineer. I currently help support the mapping of magnetic fields of various hardware, and the manufacture of new prototypes. I also work on the development of Georgia Tech’s first drop tower facility prototype to support microgravity and partial gravity experiments.My previous research includes test engineering and mission operations for cube satellites and IOT development.“

Alfonso Lagares de Toledo

Research: “I am a graduate student currently working on the design of active control electronics for the lab’s ongoing ferrofuid liquid mirror project. My primary area of interest is developing electronics systems for space-rated missions and payloads. Previously, I have worked on projects involving satellite operations, safety-critical software development, and astrobiology instrumentation.“