• Brooke Owens Fellow, Class of 2025

• University of Southern California, Mechanical Engineering, ‘26

• Host Institution: SpaceX

• Mentor: TBD

• Brookie Mentor: TBD

Alisa Higuchi is a junior at the University of Southern California, studying Mechanical Engineering. Her background in art informs her creative approach to engineering design, driving her passion for the intersection of art and science, particularly in cutting-edge aerospace applications.
On campus, Alisa is a research fellow with the Advanced Composites Design Laboratory, where she contributes to advancing sustainability for composites in industry. She is also a structural and recovery engineer at the USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, which recently set a world record with its Aftershock II rocket, achieving Mach 5.5 and an altitude of 470,400 feet. Beyond her technical contributions, Alisa organizes bonding events for the Rocket Propulsion Ladies affinity group to foster inclusivity within the team.
Last summer, Alisa worked as the Women in STEM and Engineering Research Fellow at The Aerospace Corporation, conducting material testing for launch vehicles in the Materials Sciences Department. This summer, she is honored to join the Vehicle Design Team at SpaceX in Brownsville, Texas, as a Brooke Owens Fellow for the Class of 2025. Ultimately, Alisa envisions a more sustainable and inclusive future for aerospace and is eager to engage in the reciprocative cycle of mentorship that shapes and inspires the next generation of engineers.