Hi, I'm M. Regina Apodaca Moreno.
About
I am currently a graduate student in Sara Seager's Lab at MIT as part of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Ph.D program. My main research focus is making space exploration more accessible by studying the feasibility of the first CubeSat mission to Venus.
Before joing Sara's group I worked in the Space Enabled Research group developing a wax based hybrid propulsion system for in space manuvering of CubeSats.
For my Master's I worked with electrosprays in the Space Propulsion Lab. My thesis was on the study of ionic liquids, or molten salts at room temperature, and lithium salt mixtures as ionic sources for electrospray propulsion.
I did my B.S. in physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. My undergraduate thesis was on the “Fundamental Study into Rotor Outwash and Dusk Kick-up under Mars-like Conditions”, a project that is part of the Mars Helicopter Scout, i.e. Ingenuity Project.
My research interest and experience are broad, ranging from space propulsion, fluid dynamics and aeromechanics to astronomical instrumentation, observational astronomy and theoretical astrophysics.
Life Beyond the Lab
I am originally from Mexico City, Mexico. My hobbies range from hiking, skiing, and scuba diving to embrodery and food! Travelling and meeting new people are two passions of mine, even if it's just a long bike ride to the town over.
My dream is to one day get my pilots license and sky dive.