Aeronautics and Astronautics
Showing 161-180 of 219 Results
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Antonio Ricco
Affiliate, Program-Senesky, D.
BioTony Ricco received BS and PhD degrees in Chemistry from UC Berkeley (1980) and MIT (1984), respectively. In Sandia National Laboratories’ Microsensor R&D Department (1984 – 1998), he developed chemical microsensors and integrated microsystems. He was guest professor at the University of Heidelberg's Applied Physical Chemistry Institute (winter 1996 – 1997). From 1999 – 2003, he was ACLARA BioSciences’ Director of Microtechnologies and Materials, developing consumable plastic microfluidic systems for genetic analysis, high-throughput pharmaceutical discovery, proteomics, and pathogen detection. He directed Stanford’s National Center for Space Biological Technologies from 2004 – 2007; from 2007 – 2024, he served as NASA Ames Research Center’s Chief Technologist for Small Payloads while on assignment from Stanford University. From 2003 - 2016, he was a founding member, then adjunct professor, at the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI, Dublin City University), developing single-platform point-of-care medical diagnostic devices for platelet function, infectious disease, and cardiovascular health. In 2024, he retired from Stanford and joined NASA Ames Research Center as the Instrument Manager for the Programs & Projects Directorate, where he is currently employed.
Dr. Ricco is co-author of some 450 presentations, 300 publications, and 20 patents. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and of The Electrochemical Society (ECS), former president of ECS's Sensor Division, and, from 2004 – 20024, was Vice President of the Transducer Research Foundation (TRF). He was an editor of the Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems (JMEMS) from 2000 – 2019.
At NASA, Tony works with teams that develop, launch, and operate remote, autonomous bioanalytical and spectroscopy systems for fundamental space biological and astrobiological studies, serving as chief technologist for multiple successful "cubesat" spaceflight missions incorporating living organisms. He is presently adapting these spaceflight technologies to the challenge of searching for molecular indicators of the presence of life on our solar system's "icy worlds", in particular Europa and Enceladus, as well as developing systems to seek molecular evidence of ancient life beneath the surface of Mars. -
Stephen Rock
Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Emeritus
BioProfessor Rock's research interests include the application of advanced control and modeling techniques for robotic and vehicle systems (aerospace and underwater). He directs the Aerospace Robotics Laboratory in which students are involved in experimental programs designed to extend the state-of-the-art in robotic control. Areas of emphasis include planning and navigation techniques (GPS and vision-based) for autonomous vehicles; aerodynamic modeling and control for aggressive flight systems; underwater remotely-operated vehicle control; precision end-point control of manipulators in the presence of flexibility and uncertainty; and cooperative control of multiple manipulators and multiple robots. Professor Rock teaches several courses in dynamics and control.
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Maria Sakovsky
Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
BioMaria Sakovsky's work focuses on the use of shape adaptation to realize space structures with reconfigurable geometry, stiffness, and even non-mechanical performance (e.g., electromagnetic, optical). Particular focus is placed on the mechanics of thin fiber reinforced composite structures, the interplay between composite material properties and structural geometry, as well as embedded functionality and actuation of lightweight structures. The work has led to applications in deployable space structures, reconfigurable antennas, and soft robotics.
Maria Sakovsky received her BSc in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto. Following this, she completed her MSc and PhD in Space Engineering at Caltech, where she developed a deployable satellite antenna based on origami concepts utilizing elastomer composites. She concurrently worked with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on developing cryogenically rated thin-ply composite antennas for deep space missions. She was awarded the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2018 as well as the DARPA Young Faculty Award in 2024. -
Debbie Senesky
Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, of Electrical Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy
BioDebbie G. Senesky is an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department and the Electrical Engineering Department. In addition, she is the Principal Investigator of the EXtreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory (XLab). Her research interests include the development of nanomaterials for extreme harsh environments, high-temperature electronics for Venus exploration, and microgravity synthesis of nanomaterials. In the past, she has held positions at GE Sensing (formerly known as NovaSensor), GE Global Research Center, and Hewlett Packard. She received the B.S. degree (2001) in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California. She received the M.S. degree (2004) and Ph.D. degree (2007) in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Prof. Senesky is the Site Director of nano@stanford. She is currently the co-editor of two technical journals: IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems and Sensors. In recognition of her research, she received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2025, Emerging Leader Abie Award from AnitaB.org in 2018, Early Faculty Career Award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2012, Gabilan Faculty Fellowship Award in 2012, and Sloan Ph.D. Fellowship from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in 2004.
Prof. Senesky's career path and research has been featured by Scientific American, Seeker, People Behind the Science podcast, The Future of Everything radio show, Space.com, and NPR's Tell Me More program. More information about Prof. Senesky can be found at https://xlab.stanford.edu and on Instagram (@astrodebs). -
Charles Shao
Affiliate, Stanford Center For Position, Navigation and Time (SCPNT)
BioA seasoned entrepreneur and senior executive with multiple start-up enterprises in Silicon Valley and China. As co-founder, vp engineering, CTO of Easyway Company Limited, design and implement a Chinese high-speed rail passenger transit service system. As a founding team member, start-up EPIN Technologies, Inc., ServGate Technologies, Inc., NetScreen Technologies, Inc. between 1996 ~ 2006.
Research fellow and deputy director, center for high-speed rail technology (CHRT), Tsinghua University. Managed R&D projects for China's high-speed rail system since 2006; Initiated “Introduction for High-Speed Rail Technologies” class at California State University, Bakersfield.
Venture partner of TEEC Angel Fund in Palo Alto. General partner of TSVC fund.
BSEE, MSEE, Lecturer/Assistant Professor at Tsinghua University following with visiting scholar at University of California San Diego during 1980 ~ 1993. First prize winner of Rail Technologies Awards by China Railway Society. -
Lauren Simitz
Ph.D. Student in Aeronautics and Astronautics, admitted Autumn 2021
BioHi there! I'm an aerospace engineer, chemist, and geoscientist striving to both protect our world and advance technologies to explore new ones. Sustainability, teaching, and DEI are just as strong of passions, in and outside of the aerospace sector.
My work in industry (Chevron, SpaceX, Benchmark, Boeing) and academia catalyzed my interest in advancing sustainable, safe propulsion and energy systems. As a Stanford PhD candidate in the Hypersonics, Propulsion, and Energy Laboratory (HyPEL) working under Professor Ronald Hanson, I employ fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and chemical kinetics to experimentally probe combustion behavior.
