Leadership Team
MASA is managed by an all-student Executive Board led by the President and composed of the Chief Engineer, Systems Director, Funding Director, Marketing Director, DEI and Outreach Officer, Recruitment Officer, Safety Officer, and the technical subteam directors.
Download MASA's Constitution
Abbie Van Noord
President
Abbie Van Noord
Abbie (she/her) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering from Dexter, Michigan. As President, she is responsible for high level team organization and being a point of contact for external communication. Abbie has previously served as ATLO Director, in addition to being in charge of vibration testing and being involved with ground support equipment development and testing. Outside of MASA, she plays piccolo in the marching band and basketball band, and enjoys baking.
Email Abbie
Matthew Ejakov
Chief Engineer
Matthew Ejakov
Matthew (he/him) is a junior in Mechanical Engineering from Dearborn, Michigan. As Chief Engineer, he oversees the development, manufacturing, and testing of the rocket on each of the subteams. He previously led the development of flight avionics systems.
Email Matthew
Administrative Leads
Karis Hu
DEI and Outreach Officer
Karis Hu
Karis (she/her) is a sophomore studying Aerospace Engineering. As DEI and Outreach Chair, Karis develops outreach events for the local communities while promoting and maintaining a positive DEI culture throughout MASA. Additionally, as a member of the Aerodynamics & Recovery subteam, Karis works to develop new recovery system components and improve existing aerodynamic designs.
Email Karis
Ichiro Ausin
Safety Officer
Ichiro Ausin
Ichiro (he/him) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Michigan. His role as Safety Officer includes managing the safety practices for the team and serving as a point of contact for all safety related topics with University administrators. Ichiro has previously served as MASA's ATLO Director, and has operated MASA's horizontal engine testing and rocket launches.
Email Ichiro
Aileen Dosev
Marketing Director
Aileen Dosev
Aileen (she/her) is a freshman BBA at the Ross School of Business with a minor in Complex Systems. As Marketing Director, she builds MASA's public brand and manages sponsor relations with the Funding Director. Outside of MASA, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and writing poetry.
Email Aileen
Olivia Chen
Funding Director
Olivia Chen
Olivia (she/her) is a senior BBA at the Ross School of Business concentrating in Finance and Business Management. As Funding Director, she is in charge of overseeing the budget for MASA's projects and securing financial support for the team as well as handling administrative tasks. She works closely with the marketing lead of MASA to build MASA's brand and culture. Outside of MASA, she enjoys watching Formula 1, reading, and cooking. You can find her researching new recipes in her spare time.
Email Olivia
Andrew Zhao
Recruitment Officer
Andrew Zhao
Andrew Zhao (he/him) is a sophomore majoring in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn Hills, Michigan. As the Recruitment Officer he handles the recruitment, integration, and retention of MASA members. Previously he was MASA's Structures Director and has also led the development of Clementine’s fins and other various structural/aerodynamic components. Outside of MASA, Andrew loves to swim and lift.
Email Andrew
Technical Leads
Spencer Miller
Build Engineer
Spencer Miller
Spencer (he/him) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering. As Build Engineer he will make sure that all rocket components are manufacturable and work to improve full system integration, as well as teach the team about design for manufacturability. Previously, Spencer was the Production Manager and a structures member. He has worked on the Thrust Transfer Structure, Full Stack Test Stand, Pintle Injector, Airframes, and more.
Email Spencer
Matthew Ludlow
Systems Engineer
Matthew Ludlow
Matthew (he/him) is a junior studying Aerospace Engineering and is from Salt Lake City, Utah. As the Systems Engineering Director, he is responsible for developing the rocket requirements and ensuring subsystem integration. He also makes critical decisions along with the Chief Engineer by providing logistical insight, understanding failure modes and risks, and ensuring the logistical timelines of projects. Concurrently, he is the Flight Simulation Lead on MASA's A&R subteam where he leads the development of an in-house 6DOF liquid bi-propellant flight simulator. Outside of MASA, he enjoys attending Michigan Football and Hockey as well as skiing, hiking, and playing volleyball.
Email Matthew
Logan Thomsen
Aerodynamics & Recovery Director
Logan Thomsen
Logan (he/him) is a sophomore studying Aerospace Engineering. As A&R Director, Logan is responsible for rocket aerodynamics, MASA's in-house 6DOF flight simulator, recovery systems, nose cone, fins, and composites. Outside of MASA, Logan enjoys hiking, reading, and pickleball.
Email Logan
Michael Hintzen
ATLO Director
Michael Hintzen
Michael (He/Him) is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering from Trenton, Michigan. As ATLO Director, he is responsible for the assembly and testing of the rocket, as well as the design and operation of ground support equipment. Previously on MASA, he has worked on test operations for engine hotfires, as well as the leading the development of our quick disconnects and our fullstack test stand. Outside of MASA he is a member of the Michigan Backpacking club and loves to explore the outdoors!
Email Michael
Evan Eidt
Avionics Director
Evan Eidt
Evan (he/him) is a senior in Computer Engineering from Chelsea, MI. As Avionics Director, he manages the electrical components of the rocket and ground systems, and oversees the development of application software. He works with circuit board design and wiring for the data acquisition system, and provides electrical support for other subteams.
Email Evan
Emiliano Bonilla
Software Director
Emiliano Bonilla
Emiliano (he/him) is a senior in Aerospace Engineering. He leads the software team in the development of mission control and data analysis systems. His passion lies in distributed systems and time-series database design. In the afternoons, you'll find him running with the university's running club or playing guitar on his porch.
Email Emiliano
Andy Acosta
Structures Director
Andy Acosta
Andy (he/him) is a sophomore studying Aerospace Engineering. As Structures Director, his job is to manage the design and iteration of tanks, airframes, and all other structural components both on and off the rocket. He previously led MASA's Additive Manufacturing R&D project. Outside of MASA, he is on the mountain biking team.
Email Andy
Logan Harrold
Propulsion Director
Logan Harrold
Logan (he/him) is a Junior in Aerospace Engineering from the small town of Tecumseh, Michigan. As Propulsion Director his job to oversee the development of the rocket’s propulsion system through design, production, testing, and launch. This includes the engine, valves, and tank pressurization system. Previously he was project lead for the RPD2 Graphite Nozzle, Clementine's Engine Bay Plumbing, and one of the Clementine Launch Operators.
Email Logan
Kabir Bhatia
Manufacturing Director
Kabir Bhatia
Kabir (he/him) is a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering. As Manufacturing Director, he is responsible for all manufacturing across all parts of the rocket. He also works on structures, having previously lead the Airframe Overhaul project. He can often be found in a meditative state in the machine shop.
Email Kabir
Past MASA Leads
Hannah Cherry
Funding '23
Hannah Cherry
Presently: Undergraduate Student, Aerospace; SPRL
Santhosh Sankar
Aerodynamics '23, Marketing '23
Santhosh Sankar
Presently: Human Powered Submarine
Adina Kestenbaum
Systems '23
Adina Kestenbaum
Presently: MASA
Rohun Athalye
VP '22, President '23
Rohun Athalye
Presently: MASA
Hunter Sagerer
Aerodynamics '22, Chief '23
Hunter Sagerer
Presently: Masters Student, Aerospace
Tobi Farbstein
VP '23
Tobi Farbstein
Presently: BLiSS
Joshua Thomas
Safety '23
Joshua Thomas
Presently: MASA
Julie Wu
Business '23
Julie Wu
Presently: MASA; Undergraduate Student, Computer Science
Gowrav Mangipudi
Treasurer '23
Gowrav Mangipudi
Presently: MASA
Abhiram Kondur
Social '23
Abhiram Kondur
Presently: MASA
Jay Stadtherr
Structures '23, Production '23, Build Engineer '23
Jay Stadtherr
Presently: ABL
Cian Mullen
Propulsion '23
Cian Mullen
Presently: SpaceX
Ethan Dupre
Structures '22, Systems '23
Ethan Dupre
Presently: MASA
Jose Luiz Vargas de Mendonca
Avionics '22
Jose Luiz Vargas de Mendonca
Presently: MASA
Chris Van Dyke
Aerodynamics '22
Chris Van Dyke
Presently: MASA
Nate Campbell
Propulsion '22, Safety '23
Nate Campbell
Presently: MASA
Eric Liu
Business '22
Eric Liu
Presently: Michigan Ross
Andrew Lauterbach
Production '22
Andrew Lauterbach
Presently: SpaceX
Cade Wagner
Production '20 '22
Cade Wagner
Presently: SpaceX
Alex Thuro
Systems '22
Alexander Thuro
Presently: USSF
Nathaniel Kalantar
Avionics '22
Nathaniel Kalantar
Presently: MASA
Paige Adams
ATLO '22, Social '21, Safety '20
Paige Adams
Presently: SpaceX
Jack Taliercio
Social '22, Chief '20 '21
Jack Taliercio
Presently: SpaceX
Nathan Sanchez
Treasurer '22
Nathan Sanchez
Presently: MASA
Hirsh Kabaria
Business '22
Hirsh Kabaria
Presently: MASA
Eric Reuter
Safety '22
Eric Reuter
Presently: MASA
Cameron Crandall
Chief '22, Structures '21
Cameron Crandall
Presently: SpaceX
Theo Rulko
President '21 '22, Business '20
Theo Rulko
Presently: PhD Student in AeroAstro, MIT
Arthur Zhang
Avionics '21
Arthur Zhang
Presently: PhD Student in CS, UT Austin
Sam Boling
Structures '21
Sam Boling
Presently: Astra
Minori Higashiyama
ATLO '21, Safety '20
Minori Higashiyama
Presently: Zipline
Josh Miller
Propulsion '21, Treasurer '20
Josh Miller
Presently: SpaceX
Edward Tang
Aerodynamics '21
Edward Tang
Presently: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Kara Vanderwest
Production '21
Kara Vanderwest
Presently: Blue Origin
Eleonora Botta Lopez
ATLO '21
Eleonora Botta Lopez
Presently: Undergraduate Student, Aerospace
Josh Azrin
Avionics '21
Josh Azrin
Presently: SpaceX
Julia Weiss
VP '21
Julia Weiss
Presently: Northrop Grumman
Tommy Woodbury
Business '21
Tommy Woodbury
Presently: Northrop Grumman
Akhil Vinod
Treasurer '21
Akhil Vinod
Presently: SpaceX
Erin Levesque
Aerodynamics '20
Erin Levesque
Presently: Rocket Lab
Geoff Parkes
ATLO '20, President '19
Geoff Parkes
Presently: SpaceX
Marion Anderson
Avionics '20
Marion Anderson
Presently: PhD Candidate, Robotics
Aidan Kingwell
Software '20
Aidan Kingwell
Akash Pawar
Structures '20
Akashdeep Pawar
Presently: Boeing
John Letarte
Propulsion '20
John Letarte
Presently: SpaceX
Israa Ali
VP '20
Israa Ali
Presently: AVL
Peyton Hooker
President '20, Treasurer '19
Peyton Hooker
Presently: USAF
Aleister Lenhardt
Structures '19
Aleister Lenhardt
Presently: Belcan
Dan Maguire
Aerodynamics '19
Dan Maguire
Presently: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Katherine Lerond
President '19
Katherine Lerond
Presently: Boeing
Alex Davenport
ATLO '18, Avionics '19
Alex Davenport
Presently: SpaceX
Jared Chin
Safety '19
Jared Chin
Presently: Lockheed Martin
Ethen Daniels
Propulsion '19
Ethen Daniels
Presently: SpaceX
Kat Shipers
Business '19
Kat Shipers
Presently: Medical University of South Carolina, OTD Candidate
Cameron Buccellato
Chief '19, Propulsion '18
Cameron Buccellato
Presently: SpaceX
Dan Shafer
Aerodynamics '19
Dan Shafer
Presently: Lockheed Martin
Alex Philpott
Treasurer '19
Alex Philpott
Presently: SpaceX
Rachel Ticknor
Aerodynamics '18
Rachel Ticknor
Presently: NASA Ames Research Center