about me
Hi there! My name is Joalda Morancy (they & she), and I am currently a PhD student in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Washington. I also work as an Avionics Integration and Test Engineer at Blue Origin on their lunar lander programs. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Astrophysics from the University of Chicago.
I am interested in a ton of subjects, including control theory, spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), human spaceflight, computer engineering, planetary science, and astrophysics. In my research, I hope to cover topics spanning the field of position, navigation, and timing systems for lunar and martian applications!
Even though I have always loved science as a young kid, space is something I became interested in as a sophomore in high school. It was this simple video of astronaut Chris Hadfield making a sandwich on the International Space Station that kick-started everything, and I have been hooked ever since.
I am also passionate about communicating science to the general public, especially younger kids. Coming from a marginalized background has inspired me to support others with similar stories who are interested in STEM and to help them excel in this field.
It is no secret that the space industry has been traditionally homogenous when it comes to the people who make it up. Though that is slowly changing, I believe it will take continued, effective effort to sustain that progress.
Outside of school and my career, I invest a lot of time in my hobbies! I love reading speculative fiction, dabbling in creative and nonfiction writing, and playing the piano, saxophone, and bass guitar. As a result of living in the amazing Pacific Northwest, I've picked up a bunch of active recreational pursuits like running, rowing, climbing, biking, hiking, and snowboarding.
I'm at an exciting point in life where I get to help build a permanent presence on our moon and beyond, and also learn how to design complex systems in space. I hope to continue this journey in the near term, and I am excited about where it'll take me!
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