Justin Little
Assistant Professor

PhD, Princeton University
MA, Princeton University
BS, University of California, Irvine
 

Justin is the founder and director of the UW SPACE Lab. His research methods combine reduced-order theoretical modeling and innovative experiment design to explore the plasma physics fundamental to electric thrusters. The ultimate goal of his research is to improve the efficiency and capabilities of next-generation electric propulsion systems.

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Arvindh Sharma
PhD Student
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MS, University of Cincinnati
BE, Anna University

Arvindh is working on characterizing the evolution of dynamic structures in a Pulsed Inductive Thruster plasma. He comes from a background in fluids and combustion research and plans to apply image processing techniques to the study of plasma physics. His goal is to contribute to the development of space propulsion systems for long-term space exploration.

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Jonah Taylor
MS Student
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BS, Occidental College

Jonah’s research will focus on refurbishing the thermal vacuum chamber located within the SPACE Lab. This chamber will be used to test the lab’s thrusters in the various thermal environments found in space. Jonah will also be working on the thermal modeling of the low power Hall thruster that is currently being developed by the lab.

Sari Emese Barczay
MS Student
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BA, George Mason University
BS, University of Washington

Sari's research focuses on the applications of plasma physics to the development of Plasma Aerocapture. In particular, her work focuses on developing a global model with molecular species in order to gain a more nuanced understanding of interactions between plasma and a neutral stream. She is excited to be supporting work that will help to expand the possibilities of space missions.

Curtis Promislow
PhD Student

MS, North Carolina State University
BS, North Carolina State University

 

Curtis is working on the High Pulse Rate planar Pulsed Inductive Thruster project, which investigates the effects of high pulse rate operation on the design, physics, and performance of planar pulsed inductive thrusters. His research combines power electronics and circuit design, plasma physics, and advanced plasma diagnostics. As part of this project, Curtis collaborates closely with the Propulsion Research and Development Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Landon Bevier
PhD Student
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BS, University of Washington
BA, University of Washington

Landon’s research focuses on developing our understanding of plasma chemical reactions in molecular propellant EP devices.  This work is done both experimentally with the use of a Helicon plasma source as well as theoretically by way of simulated molecular plasma models. 

Reed Thompson
MS Student
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BS, University of Washington

Reed has been interested in space exploration ever since he was in middle school and saw the observatories on Mauna Kea while visiting Hawaii. Reed joined SPACE Labs as a volunteer assistant researcher and is back at SPACE Labs as a masters student, undecided if he will continue his research with hall thrusters or expand his knowledge in other electric propulsion technologies.

Peter Thoreau
PhD Student
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MS, University of Washington
MSc, International Space University
BE, University of Queensland
BSc, University of Queensland

Peter is researching Magnetically Shielded Hall Thrusters. His research covers plasma lensing and novel operation of the SPACE Lab low power Hall thruster. He has designed and built the thruster along with diagnostics for the lab including a thrust stand and Faraday probe array. His previous experience in the use of disruptive technologies to rapidly developed space hardware has resulted in several launched payloads to the ISS and LEO.

Isabella Rieco
GEM & Varanasi Fellow
PhD Student

BS, Pennsylvania State University

Isabella is studying plasma aerocapture and its future implementation.  She is doing this through experimental modeling to further understand the molecular behaviors governing this technology. This work can be applied to future NASA missions by opening currently unreachable planetary destinations.

Cameron Marsh
MS Student
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BS, University of Nevada

Cameron’s research focus is on understanding a relation between the plasma pre-ionization phase and current sheet formation in the acceleration phase of Inductive Pulsed Plasma Thrusters. Identifying this relation will help experiments that rely on pre-ionization to be able to set parameters for an ideal current sheet formation.

Anna Sheppard, PhD
EP Technologist, NASA JPL

Sungyoung Ha, MS
PhD Student, Georgia Tech

Diego Mejia Montano, MS

Propulsion Engineer, Blue Origin

Charles Kelly, PhD
Starship Engineer II, SpaceX

Wesley Jackson, MS

US Space Force

Gordon McCulloh, MS
USAF Test Pilot School

Nadiah Jenkins, MS

Project Engineer, Aerojet Rocketdyne