Research

My research focuses on space systems — from the OSPREY 6U CubeSat mission concept and microwave-assisted lunar recycling to control systems for a 6-DOF robotic arm.

High Power Microwave Systems for Lunar Missions

At the Space Propulsion and Environments Laboratory, I researched high power microwave (HPM) systems applications for future lunar missions. I engineered a technical design and proposal for a lunar recycling system powered by a centralized microwave network.

High power microwave systems applications for future lunar missions
Technical design and proposal for a lunar recycling system powered by a centralized microwave network
ISRU and catalyst integration to recycle plastics into rocket fuel precursors

NASA LunaRecycle Challenge

As Research Lead (Phase 1) and Chief Engineer (Phase 2), I directed research and engineering efforts for Penn State's LunaRecycle team competing in NASA's challenge to recycle waste on the lunar surface. After Phase 1 funding, I was appointed Laboratory Lead at SSPL in August 2025.

Milestone Round win and two Innovation Awards totaling $125,000 ($50,000 Milestone plus $75,000 for Prototype and Digital Twin Innovation Awards)
MATLAB heat transfer model improving energy efficiency by ~15%
Microwave-assisted plastic pyrolysis proof-of-concept fabricated for under $500
RECLAIM processes metal and plastic feedstock in two independent chambers using high-power microwaves
SysML requirements linked to a Digital Twin with live pressure and temperature telemetry
Chief Engineer for the Milestone Round and for half of the Final Round before the SDL internship
Integrated and tested RECLAIM under vacuum conditions and temperatures exceeding 500°C

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OSPREY 6U CubeSat Mission Concept

As a NASA–AFRL Systems Engineering Intern (UNP MC-4) at the Space Dynamics Laboratory, I developed a mission concept for OSPREY, a 6U CubeSat to identify and geolocate ocean plastics in the Pacific Ocean using onboard multispectral imaging and mission operations analysis.

ADCS trade studies converting pointing and attitude-knowledge requirements into reaction-wheel targets and star-tracker sensitivity selections
STK orbital design for imaging-pass timing, ground-track coverage, and S-band downlink within power and ground-contact constraints
Python pipeline compressing Landsat multispectral imagery into spectral indices and scoring plastic signatures for detection feasibility
Consultation with NASA and AFRL engineers and systems engineering through PDR

6-DOF Robotic Arm Control Systems

As a Control Systems Researcher in the Astrodynamics Group of Penn State, I modeled a 6-DOF robotic arm in Python using DH parameters and NumPy, and simulated the system within Manim.

Forward and inverse kinematics, Monte Carlo methods, and a Gaussian mixture model
Python, NumPy, and Manim simulation of the 6-DOF arm