School of Engineering
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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 (ex. 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. For her ongoing research on physically reconfigurable antennas, she was awarded the ETH Zürich postdoctoral fellowship as well as the Innovation Starting Grant. -
Debbie Senesky
Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering
BioDebbie G. Senesky is an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department and by courtesy, 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, and robust instrumentation for Venus exploration. 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 recently chaired the 2018 Women in Aerospace Symposium (WIA2018) at Stanford University. She has served on the technical program committee of the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEEE IEDM), International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems (Transducers), and International Symposium on Sensor Science (I3S). She is currently the co-editor of three technical journals: IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, Sensors, and Micromachines. In addition, she currently serves on the board of directors of the non-profit organization Scientific Adventures for Girls. In recognition of her research, she received the 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 on 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
Masters Student in Aeronautics and Astronautics, admitted Winter 2022
AARC Tutor, DASHBioHi there! I'm an aerospace engineer, chemist, and geoscientist striving to both protect our world and advance technologies to explore new ones.
My work in industry (Chevron, SpaceX) and academic research at Northwestern (flowable batteries) catalyzed my passion for advancing sustainable, reliable fuel and energy systems at the micro- and macro-scale. I have specific interests in propulsion (chemical, electric, air-breathing) and energy conversion processes like combustion. As a Stanford PhD candidate, I employ the intersection of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and kinetics to probe underlying phenomena in these areas.
I also strongly believe journeying across the cosmos does not have to be a flight from our planet's environmental challenges but can be a powerful way to understand others such that we can more effectively combat climate change at home. Climate change, and its disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities, are the most pressing global challenges we face; my mission to address them is reflected at the core of my research, institutional work (ex. Midwest Climate Summit student rep), and organizing (ex. chair of Northwestern's largest sustainability student group).
Further, I strive to see the field of space exploration expanded, pushing the boundaries of where we can travel—minimizing the environmental footprint in doing so—and increasing equitability around who has access to space and to work on space technologies.
Lastly, in acknowledging a number of opportunities and mentorship I was afforded that allowed me for to grow into who I am today, I am committed to outreach and advocacy so that others, particularly those from underserved communities, may get the same experiences I did.
I welcome connection requests and messages and am always seeking collaborations with other scientists/groups. I am also happy to answer any questions about graduate school, fellowships, aerospace/chemical engineering/geoscience, and SpaceX, or put you in touch with my network, if that is helpful.
