• Brooke Owens Fellow, Class of 2025

• Northwestern University, Mechanical Engineering, ‘26

• Host Institution: United Launch Alliance

• Mentor: TBD

• Brookie Mentor: TBD

Xitlalli Castaneda is a junior at Northwestern University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in aerospace and a minor in Computer Science. As a first generation Latina, Xitlalli is fueled to utilize her technical skillset to transform the aerospace industry into one that is sustainable, efficient, and accessible—particularly for underrepresented communities like her own.

From dreaming of building lunar bases to striving for a future free of fossil fuel dependence, Xitlalli has always been fueled by great ambition. Her fascination with space began as a child, gazing at the stars with wonder and deep admiration. Her dreams crystalized after watching Hidden Figures, which introduced her to the pivotal contributions of three Black women at NASA during the Space Race. Inspired, she thought, “Why not me, too?” - a question that sparked her journey in the aerospace industry.

At Northwestern, Xitlalli has been deeply involved in advancing space exploration technology. As part of the 2023 NASA BIG Idea Challenge team, Xitlalli and her team developed ACRE: Autonomous Casting RovEr to cast lunar landing pads & roads using in-situ resources for future Artemis missions. She designed, manufactured, and assembled several key components of the rover’s Optical Waveguide Solar Powered System, receiving the McCormick Research Award for her efforts. In the 2024 NASA BIG Idea Challenge team, her team received the prestigious Artemis Award for developing a novel inflatable, metal-based technology to support cryogenic storage for future Artemis missions. Currently, she is redesigning and fabricating a modular fin clamp system for the Northwestern University Space Technology and Rocketry Society’s NASA Student Launch team.

Xitlalli’s dedication to innovation extends to her work experiences, including her role as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Regal Rexnord Aerospace. There, she modernized the company’s bearing production line, increasing operational efficiency by 20% and helping the company save $80K annually. During the school year, Xitlalli works as an undergraduate assistant at Northwestern’s 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping Lab, where she collaborates with clients to design and fabricate high-quality prototypes under tight deadlines. In her free time, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops, experimenting with new recipes, and creating meaningful connections through her passion for outreach.

As part of the Brooke Owens Fellowship, Xitlalli aims to gain the hands-on experience necessary to create technologies that promote sustainability, accessibility, and equity. She also hopes to serve as a role model to both Hispanics and women on how a successful career in STEM is attainable and how you can come from humble beginnings and still land on the Moon.