Resume

Ambitious aerospace engineering student with extensive experience in research and applied engineering; successfully contributes as a member of multi-disciplinary engineering teams in government laboratory and business sectors; enthusiastically tackles innovative and complex projects, including human spaceflight, bioastronautics, and vehicle design; pacesetting and situational leader with a passion for supporting the community of women in STEM.

University of Colorado Boulder

M.Eng. Engineering Management 

Certificate: Engineering Management in the Aerospace Industry

Expected Graduation: December 2025

Engineering Honors Program

University of Colorado Boulder

B.S. Aerospace Engineering| Minor: Space | Certificate: Engineering Leadership

Expected Graduation: May 2025  - Current Senior

Engineering Honors Program

Graduating Student Leader of the Year Awardee (2025)

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Study Abroad | Madrid, Spain

Spring 2024 Semester

Enhanced proficiency in the Spanish language with debate-style courses on European history taught in Spanish.

Pursued understanding of the importance of the international community in the future of space exploration. 

Colorado Academy-Liberal Arts High School

High School Diploma

Focus on Natural Science and High-Level Math

Graduation: June 3, 2021

Final GPA: 4.11

Total AP Classes: 9  

Proficiencies: LaTeX, Jira, OpenC3/COSMOS, Git, Data Analysis, Microsoft Suite

Aerospace Experience: Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Operations and Training, Spacecraft Integration, Cleanroom and ESD Sensitive Operations, Hazardous Test Operations

Areas of Interest: Bioastronautics, Extravehicular Activity, Lunar Landing Operations, Human Factors, Space Medicine

Certifications: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, CPR/First Aid/AED for Professional Rescuers

Programming Languages: Python, MATLAB

Strengths: Very organized, hardworking, excellent communication skills, professional, collaborative, consistently on-time and ready to work, friendly, engaging, and a great team member 

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Operations, Integration, and Training Intern

Axiom Space, Houston, TX | June – August 2024

• Engineered a prebreathe training protocol for the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit using information gathered from live International Space Station EVA preparations. The protocol reduces the risk of decompression sickness for future Lunar and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) activities.

• Designed a script in Python and OpenCV to reduce human error during analysis and testing of a component of the Portable Life Support System (PLSS). 

• Devised a method to compile the latest computer aided design (CAD) models from SolidWorks Product Data Management into a systems guide that improves suit visualization using Python. 

• Established procedures for on-orbit replacement of mission critical spacesuit components.

• Directed meetings with NASA stakeholders and customers to develop training material for commercial EVA tasks and systems. 

Assembly, Integration, and Test Engineering Intern 

Atomos Nuclear and Space, Broomfield, CO | May - August 2023

• Established and implemented electrical and mechanical procedures to integrate mission-critical spacecraft components.

• Spearheaded the creation of the On-Orbit Operations Handbook by designing a data parsing tool for organizing, consolidating, and enhancing commands and telemetry from OpenC3. Authored procedures for operations of the spacecraft on-orbit, verifying mission requirements and objectives.

• Orchestrated the construction of an ISO 8 cleanroom and assembled a 2-ton crane to facilitate spacecraft assembly.

VR Astronaut Training Researcher

University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO | January 2023 - December 2023

• Researched individually adaptive astronaut training methods in virtual reality (VR) for Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) on Mars for future long-duration spaceflight missions. 

• Tested human subjects in VR and cockpit mock-ups to assess performance and optimal difficulty modulation. 

• Investigated how skills transfer from VR environments to physical settings and the degree to which VR training enables performance maintenance over long durations. 

Research and Software Engineering Intern

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (remote) | May 2022 - May 2023 

• Designed and implemented a bulk data analysis and parsing tool in Python to organize and analyze exoplanet transit data. Integrated this new analysis tool into the EXOplanet Transit Interpretation Code (EXOTIC) and the Citizen Initiated Transit Information Survey Enabling NASA Science (CITISENS) Pipeline tool.

• Developed a program in Python to perform exoplanet transit timing variation (TTV) and radial velocity (RV) analyses. Leveraged these analyses to run N-body simulations and compared the simulation data to the observed data to reveal the presence of previously undiscovered exoplanets. 

NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience 

NASA L'SPACE, Virtual | January 2022 - April 2022

• Researched the impacts of electromagnetic radiation produced by quantum sensors (quantum-based gravimeters). Quantum sensors are being used for seismic scanning, density analysis of planets and other celestial bodies, and to investigate climate change. Quantum sensors have the potential to generate more accurate measurements of gravitational fields compared to classical sensors, but the impacts of the radiation they produce is poorly understood. 

• Wrote a grant proposal on “Quantum Interferometry and Signal Systems for Spacecraft and Telescopes.”

Test Engineer: Liquid-Solid Hybrid Rocket Motor 

University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO | August 2021 - December 2021

• Designed the injector plate, nozzle, and fuel grain using SolidWorks and machined parts based on the models.

• Developed an Excel model for thrust, velocity, acceleration, oxidizer pressure and internal chamber pressure as functions of time to compare the model performance to actual data collected during the hot fire test. 

• Served as Team Lead and Safety Officer for the hot fire test of our rocket engine in the hazardous test cell. 

U.S. Marines Corps Research Assistant

Denver, CO | March 2020 - October 2020

• Developed an algorithm in R! to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on Marine training camps.

• Provided the Marines with a tool to help predict future COVID surges resulting from Marine training activities, allowing the Corps to rapidly mobilize appropriate personnel and supplies to affected areas. 

Swim Coach and Lifeguard

Virginia Vale Swim Club, Denver, CO | May 2019 - September 2022

• Worked with children under the age of 8 on basic swimming technique. 

• Watched pool attentively to ensure the safety of patrons using the aquatic facilities.

Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

August 2022

Organization that aims to connect and represent university students and young space professionals ages 18 – 35 to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia. SGAC is in Support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. SGAC works “To enable and empower the young generation in advancing humanity through the peaceful uses of outer space”.

Society of Women Engineers (CU Boulder Chapter)

August 2021 - Present | Boulder, CO

Attended events that focus on Professional Development, Outreach, and Networking while being a part of an inclusive community of strong female engineers. 

Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CU Boulder Chapter)

January 2022 - Present | Boulder, CO

Attended events that work to improve gender equality in the Aerospace Field. Worked on Professional Development.

Collar Scholars

August 2021 - December 2022 | Boulder, CO

Worked to train service dogs and raise awareness for assistance animals. 

Presentations:

• K. May, et al. “Exoplanet Watch: A community resource for ephemeris maintenance and stellar variability monitoring.” Jan 2023. 241st Meeting of The American Astronomical Society. Seattle, WA.

Aerospace Engineering Courses:

• Introduction to Rocket Engineering

• Aerospace Computing (C++ and MatLab)

• Material Science for Aerospace Engineers

• Introduction to Statics, Structures, and Materials

• Introduction to Thermodynamics and Aerodynamics

• Experimental and Computational Methods in Aerospace Engineering (MatLab)

• Aerospace Sciences Lab I

• Introduction to Dynamics and Systems

• Dynamics and Controls Lab

• Introduction to Aerospace Vehicle Design and Performance

• Vehicle Design Lab

• Introduction to Human Spaceflight

• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer with Lab

• Aerospace Electronics and Communications

• Aerodynamics

• Structures

• Aircraft Dynamics

• Aerospace Sciences Lab II (includes Structures, Aerodynamics, and Thermodynamics Labs)

• Human Factors in Engineering 

• Vehicles Dynamics and Controls Lab

• Orbital and Attitude Dynamics

• Foundations of Propulsion

• Design Synthesis (Senior Projects I)

• Design Practicum (Senior Project II)

• Space Life Sciences (graduate level course)

• Medicine in Space and Surface Environments (graduate level course)

Engineering Management Courses:

• Engineering Communication (graduate level course)

• Fundamentals of Project Management (graduate level course)

• Aerospace Program Management (graduate level course)

• Leading Technical Organizations (graduate level course)

• Project Management Systems

Astrophysics and Space Minor Courses:

• Fundamental Concepts in Astrophysics

  • Quantum Mechanics, Special Relativity, Atomic and Nuclear Physics

• The Search for Life in the Universe

• Astrophysics 1 - Stellar and Interstellar

Leadership Courses: 

• "Critical Encounters" (Engineering Honors Leadership Class)

• Complex Leadership Challenges

• Intelligent Leadership

Ancillary Math and Science Courses:

• AP Calculus AB

• Calculus 2

• Calculus 3 (Multivariable)

• Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

• AP Physics 1

• AP Physics C

• Physics 1 (Mechanics)

• Physics 2 (Electricity and Magnetism)

• Experimental Physics

• AP Biology

• AP Chemistry

• Introduction to Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (with Lab)

• Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers (with Lab)

Graduating Student Leader of the Year Awardee (2025)

Engineering Honors Program | 2021-Current

2022 International Mathematical Modeling Competition Successful Participant 

CU Esteemed Scholars-Sewall | 2021-2025

CU Be Boulder Scholarship | 2021-2022

Honor Roll | 2017-2021

Seal of Biliteracy | 2020

English

Spanish (working proficiency)