• Brooke Owens Fellow, Class of 2021

• Georgia Institute of Technology, Aerospace Engineering, ‘22

• Host Institution: Hermeus Corp

• Mentor: Tory Bruno

• Brookie Mentor: Sue Kaur

Cathy Liu is a third-year at Georgia Tech and is pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. Growing up in College Station, TX, her interest in aerospace was solidified by trips to the Johnson Space Center and frequent late-night space documentary viewings with her brother. Cathy’s natural affinity for STEM disciplines, as well as her high school internship with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium led her to realize her dream of becoming an aerospace engineer.

At Georgia Tech, Cathy is heavily involved in research at the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory. In the spring, she will be continuing her research into the turbulence and recirculation properties of swirl-flame burners. She aims to apply her knowledge of combustion environments and her experience with test rigs in the lab to engine testing in industry. Previously, Cathy also worked as a manufacturing intern at Woodward Inc., creating process improvements and optimizing the production line of several Boeing and Airbus actuators.

Outside of school and work, Cathy enjoys spending time outdoors with Georgia Tech’s Outdoor Recreation club and the Alternative Service Break program, where she serves as a trip leader to bring students to volunteer at nearby communities. As a co-founder of her hometown’s Girls Who Code chapter and a volunteer at a middle-school summer STEM camp, Cathy is very passionate about expanding STEM outreach programs, especially to young women. In her free time, Cathy enjoys cooking, painting, live music, and snowboarding.

As a Brooke Owens Fellow, Cathy will be interning this summer at Hermeus, working on the testing and development of hypersonic engines.