Leadership Team | MASA - Taking Michigan to Space

President

Margo Katz

Margo (she/her) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Branford, Connecticut. As President, she is the overall representative for the team and sets organizational, administrative, and cultural priorities. Margo previously served as Marketing Director and as ATLO’s Engine Bay Responsible Engineer. When she finds a minute to step away from her email inbox, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Email Margo

Chief Engineer

Annika Fuhrer

Annika (they/them) is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering from Naperville, Illinois. As Chief Engineer, they are the overall technical leader for the team and set design and development standards. On MASA, Annika served as ATLO Director and as the Hotfire Safety Officer. Outside of MASA, they enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Email Annika

Administrative Leads

DOI and Outreach Officer

Shreshta Prabhu

Shreshta (she/her) is a junior studying Electrical Engineering from Bangalore, India. As DOI and Outreach Officer, she is responsible for organizing outreach events for the local community and promoting and maintaining a positive culture throughout MASA. She is also the current Valve Control Circuitry Responsible Engineer. Outside of MASA, she serves as President of the Engineering Honors Board (HSAB), performs Indian Classical Music with Michigan Sahana, enjoys hiking (all things outdoors!), and lives for exceptional gelato.

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Safety Officer

Carl Pate

Carl (he/him) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering from Trenton, Michigan. As Safety Officer, he manages the team’s safety practices and serves as a point of contact for all safety-related topics with University administrators. Previously, Carl was the GSE Fuel Lead for the Phoenix Hotfire Campaign and is now the Engine Bay Responsible Engineer. Outside of MASA, he is a member of the Michigan Marching Band’s tuba section and maintains a large saltwater reef tank.

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Marketing Director

Cully Papin

Cully (he/him) is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering from Marquette, Michigan. As Marketing Director, he is responsible for developing MASA’s public brand and merchandise. He is also an active member of the structures subteam. Outside of MASA, he enjoys sailing, running, and fishing.

Email Cully

Finance Director

Nicolas Torres De Navarra

Nicolas (he/him) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Miami, Florida. As Finance Director, he is responsible for growing and managing MASA’s annual budget as well as maintaining industry and University relations. Outside of MASA, Nicolas is an assembly representative in the Central Student Government and enjoys exploring new places and watching football and Formula 1 on weekends.

Email Nico

Recruitment Officer

Gigi Rishikof

Gigi (she/her) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Houston, Texas. As Recruitment Officer, she is responsible for the recruitment and onboarding of new members. Previously, she designed the 3-in-1 Ox tank manifold, and she is currently the Intertank Bay Responsible Engineer. Outside of MASA, she enjoys dance, travel, watching hockey, and spending time with friends.

Email Gigi

Technical Leads

Build Engineer

Max Larson

Max (he/him) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Space Science and Engineering from Denver, Colorado. As Build Engineer, he ensures the propellant tanks, airframes, and all other structural components are manufacturable and properly integrated. He also manages the assembly, sizing, and weight of the rocket. Previously, Max was the Thrust Transfer Structure (TTS) Responsible Engineer. Outside of MASA, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and mountain biking.

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Systems Engineer

Nadia Poopat

Nadia (she/her) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Rancho Cucamonga, California. As Systems Engineering Director, she oversees project timelines and ensures that rocket development aligns with target requirements. Nadia was also the previous Aerodynamics and Recovery Director. Outside of MASA, she serves as WAA External Vice President and enjoys playing volleyball and baking.

Email Nadia

Aerodynamics & Recovery Director

Caspar Touloukian

Caspar (he/him) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering from South Boston, Massachusetts. As the Aerodynamics and Recovery (A&R) Director, he leads the development of MASA’s aerodynamic surfaces, composites, flight simulator, recovery systems, and Lonely Mission-MASA’s solid testbed rocket. Outside of MASA, he enjoys hiking, skiing, backpacking, and rock climbing.

Email Caspar

ATLO Director

Júlia Araújo

Júlia (she/her) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering from Salvador, Brazil. As the Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations (ATLO) Director, she is responsible for the assembly and testing of the rocket, as well as the design and operation of ground support equipment. She has also served as Launch GSE Lead. Outside of MASA, she enjoys puzzles, horseback riding, and hiking.

Email Julia

Avionics Director

Bryn Morgan

Bryn (he/him) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering from Cleveland, Ohio. As Avionics Director, he develops and tests the rocket’s electrical systems, ranging from flight computers to radio systems and firmware. Outside of MASA, he enjoys backpacking, photography, and astronomy.

Email Bryn

Structures Director

Andrew Furlotte

Andrew (he/him) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering from Commerce Township, Michigan. As Structures Director, he oversees the design of the rocket’s structural components, including tanks, airframes, and the fullstack test stand. Previously, he was the Fullstack Lead. Outside of MASA, he enjoys 3D printing and machining.

Email Andrew

Propulsion Director

Frank Firek

Frank (he/him) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Royal Oak, Michigan. As Propulsion Director, he oversees the design, build, and testing of MASA’s next-generation propulsion system. Previously, he was the LOx Valve Design Engineer. Outside of MASA, he enjoys football, wrestling, and video games.

Email Frank

Manufacturing Director

Emerson King

Emerson (he/him) is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering from Shelby Township, Michigan. As Manufacturing Director, he is responsible for all of the rocket’s manufacturing and ensures that parts designed by other subteams can be built effectively. Outside of MASA, he enjoys running and playing card games.

Email Emerson

Past MASA Leads

President '24, ATLO '23

Abbie Van Noord

Presently: MASA

Chief Engineer '24, Systems Engineer '23

Matthew Ejakov

Presently: Stoke Space

DEI/Outreach '24

Karis Hu

Presently: MASA

Safety '24, ATLO '22

Ichiro Ausin

Presently: SpaceX

Marketing '24

Aileen Dosev

Presently: MECC Consulting Group

Business '24

Olivia Chen

Presently: Nomura

Recruitment '24, Structures '23

Andrew Zhao

Presently: U-M MSE

Build Engineer '24, Manufacturing '23

Spencer Miller

Presently: SpaceX

Systems Engineer '24

Matthew Ludlow

Presently: MASA

Aerodynamics & Recovery '24

Logan Thomsen

Presently: MASA

Avionics '24

Evan Eidt

Presently: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Software '24

Emiliano Bonilla

Presently: Synnax

Funding '23

Hannah Cherry

Presently: SPRL

Aerodynamics '23, Marketing '23

Santhosh Sankar

Presently: U-M BSE

Systems Engineer '23

Adina Kestenbaum

Presently: WAA

VP '22, President '23

Rohun Athalye

Presently: SpaceX

Aerodynamics '22, Chief Engineer '23

Hunter Sagerer

Presently: Blue Origin

VP '23

Tobi Farbstein

Presently: BLiSS

Safety '23

Joshua Thomas

Presently: Relativity

Business '23

Julie Wu

Presently: UC San Deigo CS MS

Treasurer '23

Gowrav Mangipudi

Presently: MASA

Social '23

Abhiram Kondur

Presently: MASA

Structures '23, Manufacturing '23, Build Engineer '23

Jay Stadtherr

Presently: Long Wall

Propulsion '23

Cian Mullen

Presently: Relativity

Structures '22, Systems Engineer '23

Ethan Dupre

Presently: L3Harris

Avionics '22

Jose Luiz Vargas de Mendonca

Presently: Microsoft

Aerodynamics '22

Chris Van Dyke

Presently: SpaceX

Propulsion '22, Safety '23

Nate Campbell

Presently: Impulse

Business '22

Eric Liu

Presently: Michigan Ross

Production '22

Andrew Lauterbach

Presently: SpaceX

Production '20 '22

Cade Wagner

Presently: SpaceX

Systems Engineer '22

Alexander Thuro

Presently: USSF

Avionics '22

Nathaniel Kalantar

Presently: Vast

ATLO '22, Social '21, Safety '20

Paige Adams

Presently: SpaceX

Social '22, Chief '20 '21

Jack Taliercio

Presently: SpaceX

Treasurer '22

Nathan Sanchez

Presently: MASA

Business '22

Hirsh Kabaria

Presently: U-M MSE

Safety '22

Eric Reuter

Presently: Raytheon

Chief Engineer '22, Structures '21

Cameron Crandall

Presently: SpaceX

President '21 '22, Business '20

Theo Rulko

Presently: MIT PhD

Avionics '21

Arthur Zhang

Presently: UT Austin PhD

Structures '21

Sam Boling

Presently: Astra

ATLO '21, Safety '20

Minori Higashiyama

Presently: Zipline

Propulsion '21, Treasurer '20

Josh Miller

Presently: SpaceX

Aerodynamics '21

Edward Tang

Presently: Anduril

Production '21

Kara Vanderwest

Presently: Blue Origin

ATLO '21

Eleonora Botta Lopez

Presently: Astranis

Avionics '21

Josh Azrin

Presently: SpaceX

VP '21

Julia Weiss

Presently: Northrop Grumman

Business '21

Tommy Woodbury

Presently: Northrop Grumman

Treasurer '21

Akhil Vinod

Presently: SpaceX

Aerodynamics '20

Erin Levesque

Presently: Rocket Lab

ATLO '20, President '19

Geoff Parkes

Presently: SpaceX

Avionics '20

Marion Anderson

Presently: U-M PhD

Software '20

Aidan Kingwell

Presently: University of Groningen MS

Structures '20

Akashdeep Pawar

Presently: Boeing

Propulsion '20

John Letarte

Presently: SpaceX

VP '20

Israa Ali

Presently: General Motors

President '20, Treasurer '19

Peyton Hooker

Presently: USAF

Structures '19

Aleister Lenhardt

Presently: Belcan

Aerodynamics '19

Dan Maguire

Presently: JHUAPL

President '19

Katherine Lerond

Presently: Boeing

ATLO '18, Avionics '19

Alex Davenport

Presently: SpaceX

Safety '19

Jared Chin

Presently: Lockheed Martin

Propulsion '19

Ethen Daniels

Presently: Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Business '19

Kat Shipers

Presently: Medical University of SC, OTD Candidate

Chief '19, Propulsion '18

Cameron Buccellato

Presently: TerraPower

Aerodynamics '19

Dan Shafer

Presently: CUBRC

Treasurer '19

Alex Philpott

Presently: SpaceX

Aerodynamics '18

Rachel Ticknor

Presently: NASA Ames Research Center