• Brooke Owens Fellow, Class of 2021

• University of California Irvine, Materials Science Engineering, ‘21

• Host Institution: Ball Aerospace

• Mentor: Sirisha Bandla

• Brookie Mentor: Courtney Leverenz

Janay Bombino is an undergraduate at the University of California, Irvine studying Materials Science Engineering with a specialization in Materials and Structural Design. As a non-traditional student, Janay returned to school after pursuing a career in theater performance in New York City, unable to shake her childhood love for science. After taking an introductory course in engineering physics and quickly realizing it was the closest thing to magic, she was sold. In her career, she hopes to work on space infrastructure that will allow humanity to become interplanetary.

During her time at UCI, she has served as a Materials Lead for UCI’s Spacecraft Thermal Management Systems, an undergraduate-led research lab on campus, directing the development of a metal oxide electrochromic film for use as a potential thermal regulation system on cube-satellites. Through this research she has been able to more closely investigate the relationship between material properties and performance, consider the unique environmental demands of service in low-earth orbit, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. Janay has also had the opportunity to work on the upcoming PTR Rocket launch vehicle as a part of UCI’s Rocket Project, focusing on structural integrity and integration of a carbon fiber airframe. More recently, she began work on the BioENGINE design project, exploring the wear-resistance properties of amorphous metals.

Outside of her engineering focus, she is deeply passionate about mentorship and the intersection of science and policy. At community college, she served as chapter President for Society of Women Engineers and competed on a nationally ranked speech and debate team, discovering a skill for public speaking and argumentation. She continues to volunteer and tutor public speaking and enjoys watching others become more confident using their voice. As scientists, Janay believes it is imperative to have the skill to advocate effectively for the world you wish to create. She aims to help cultivate a future in which policymakers are guided by science and engineers are guided by a responsibility to public impact.

As a Brooke Owens Fellow, she will be interning with the Strategic Operations office at Ball Aerospace this summer.