People Spotlights
All Spotlights
- Graduate Student, Aerospace
George Popov
Hello everyone, I’m George Popov, a G5 student Space Engineering working in the Space Structures Lab under Sergio Pellegrino at Caltech! My research focuses on the Space Solar Power Project, a concept for wirelessly transmitting solar energy to Earth using ultralight deployable spacecraft. More specifically, I integrate foldable thin films and composites using techniques like kirigami to achieve structural stability and high surface accuracy under the harsh environments and large thermal strains of space. I have also contributed to several other projects, including the development of a foldable donut reflector at JPL and the assembly of a spacecraft whose mission is, ironically, to assemble itself in space. Before coming to Pasadena, I studied at UPenn in the VIPER program, where my passion for the interdisciplinary intersections that excite me in my work was sparked from researching things like photophoretic levitation, particle detectors, thermionics, and solar sails. Outside of the lab, I enjoy the turtle pond, driving into the mountains, mentorship, rocketry, museums (especially Monet), and visiting friends in more temperate climates.
- Postdoctoral Scholar, Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Lianghao Cao
I have been a postdoctoral researcher for almost two years in the Computing and Mathematical Sciences department at Caltech. My research aims to understand and enhance the quality and reliability of simulation-based predictions of complex physical systems in order to support risk-aware decision-making. I develop computational methods for multiscale modeling, uncertainty quantification, and optimization, embedding physical insights and offering theoretical guarantees. At Caltech, I collaborate with Professors Andrew Stuart and Kaushik Bhattacharya on learning constitutive models of multiscale inelastic materials from microscopic simulations and designed experiments. Other parts of my research involve (i) modeling and simulation for inhomogeneous polymeric systems and (ii) developing efficient and scalable Bayesian inference algorithms. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, playing sports (soccer and basketball), reading sci-fi, and playing riichi mahjong.
- Undergraduate Student
Sophia-Marie Andrews
My name is Sophia, and I am a third-year undergraduate student studying Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace. I have been deeply passionate about rocketry since my first few terms at Caltech, and my academic and project work have increasingly focused on this area. I am particularly interested in propulsion design, thermal management, and fluid dynamics, especially as applied to combustion components. At Caltech, I took Ae 121 (Space Propulsion), taught by Professor Polk, which has quickly become one of my favorite courses. The class provides a rigorous foundation in nozzle flow, combustion stability and chemistry, shock theory, and performance analysis, while closely connecting to the hands-on project work I pursue outside the classroom. Beyond coursework, I am a member of PARSEC, Caltech’s rocketry team, where I work on the propulsion subteam. My contributions include analyzing coolant channel designs for our combustion chamber, designing and manufacturing venturi tubes for RP-1 flow testing, and developing a deflector plate to manage thrust during ground testing. This past summer, I conducted research on resonance ignition in the Gharib Lab. My work focused on pressure-wave coupling and ignition dynamics using a resonator cavity and nozzle that I designed. Through this project, I gained experience in high-frequency physics, experimental fluid mechanics, thermal-structural analysis, and the iterative process of moving between modeling and real-world testing. This coming summer, I will be interning at SpaceX with the thermal analysis team, where I will apply my background in heat transfer and fluid mechanics to next-generation propulsion and heat-shielding systems for Starship. I am extremely excited to contribute to the fast-paced and demanding environment at Starbase. In my free time, I am working toward my private pilot’s license, which further deepened my appreciation for fluid dynamics and engine systems. I enjoy recreational sports such as tennis, boxing, and weightlifting, and I play piano regularly. I also enjoy learning new languages and traveling.
- Undergraduate Student
Nerissa Finnen
I am Nerissa Finnen, an undergraduate student majoring in Electrical Engineering at Caltech. I first discovered my interest in electronics after competing with my high school’s robotics team. During my time at Caltech, I have enjoyed learning about hardware and embedded systems, and I hope to develop technology that will improve society or bring happiness to others. Outside of my studies, I practice figure skating at the ice rink near the Pasadena Convention Center. My favorite tricks to perform are the hydroblade and the triple jump. After I graduate, I will work at a space startup, and I also hope to pursue a graduate degree in radio-frequency electronics or integrated circuit design in the future.
- Graduate Student, Material Science
Zachary A. Chase
Hi all! I’m Zac, a fourth-year PhD candidate in materials science under the advisement of Professor Katherine Faber. In collaboration with JPL, my research focuses on manipulating the microstructures of 3D-printed, high-temperature materials. By introducing targeted interfacial treatments to printed microstructures, we enable tunable densification, dopant-driven crystal stabilization, and enhanced thermal crack resistance. Outside of research, I serve as one of the co-chairs of the Caltech Graduate Student Council. Prior to this, I founded the EAS Graduate Student Advisory Board, which aims to provide insights to the EAS Division in order to achieve a continuing understanding of students' perspectives and program quality. I am also the student liaison for the Keck Institute for Space Studies – the amazing think tank situated on campus. When I’m not in the lab or volunteering, I perform lead vocals for my band, The Muscadines, with my friends Jadon Bienz (See/Cushing Groups), Ethan McGarrigle, and Evan Gonzalez.
- Graduate Student, Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Aman Eujayl
I am a third-year PhD student in Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Caltech, advised by Professor Ruby Fu. Before coming to Caltech, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Rice University. My research focuses on investigating how water flows and freezes in subfreezing porous media at the microscale, such as snow or permafrost. My research project involves conducting microfluidic experiments to observe unique and beautiful patterns that occur when liquid water freezes and flows simultaneously. I use fluorescent imaging to observe preferential flow channels and microscale stepped ice structures in a quasi-2D flow visualization experiment. The broader impact of my research is its ability to inform computational models with pore-scale details of the underlying thermodynamics and physics that affect macroscale patterns seen in nature. There is still much to learn about how ice lenses, ice pipes, and ice terraces form in cold-region geosystems, particularly how climate change affects them. I am excited to continue research in this area, and hope to expand my fundamental study to investigate different parameter space or different materials. Outside of my research, I am part of the Graduate Summer Research Institute community and served as a peer mentor from 2024 to 2025. Additionally, I am an EAS Chair Scholar and currently serve as the Vice President of the Black Scientists and Engineers of Caltech. I enjoy doing yoga and Pilates, and exploring new restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area with my friends.