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Mykaela Dunn

  • Brooke Owens Fellow, Class of 2019

  • The University of Texas at Austin, Aerospace Engineering, '20

  • Host Institution: Stealth Space Company

  • Mentor: Kristin White

Mykaela Dunn is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a certification in Computational Engineering. Science has always been a passion of hers, and the field of Aerospace Engineering in particular has interested her for some time. Mykaela has had a passion for space flight since an early age and at age 6, she boldly informed her parents that she wanted to become an astronaut. Mykaela has always been a hands-on individual; she deconstructed and reconstructed each and every toy she could get her hands on. As the years went by, Mykaela realized she was more interested in the designing of aircraft and propulsion systems. Ultimately, pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering allows her to combine her curiosity as well as her love for space travel.

Mykaela would love to focus on creating greener and cleaner running propulsion systems in order to ensure the preservation of our world and space environment. She is particularly interested in designing, building and testing innovative aircraft structures to support the aerospace industry. Mykaela is in the process of securing a research assistant position with Dr. Moriba K. Jah to investigate how to safeguard common space resources that are so vital for future space travel and technology. Mykaela and a friend of hers are also in the beginning stages of developing a STEM-based non-profit organization geared towards underprivileged grade school children. Mykaela enjoys volunteering as a Peer Advisor and Peer Assistance Leader for the engineering department. She is also an active member of the Cockrell School Diversity and Inclusion Action Task Force. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, Mykaela has been a member of the Women in Engineering Program, Longhorn Rocketry Association, and the UT Austin Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

As a Brooke Owens Fellow, Mykaela interned with the Propulsion team at Stealth Space.