• Brooke Owens Fellow, Class of 2022

• Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), B.S. Mechatronics Engineering / Applied Robotics Specialization, ‘22

• Host Institution: Planet

• Executive Mentor: Yajaira Sierra-Sastre

• Brookie Mentor: Julia Di

Nathalie is a senior Mechatronics Engineer student, currently pursuing a specialization in Applied Robotics and awarded the Academic Talent Scholarship at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico.

She participated in the International Air and Space Program (IASP) at 2016 and 2017 editions held in NASA Johnson Space Center. Nathalie achieved 1st place both times by presenting a proposal for a crew mission to Mars and an exploration mission to satellite Europa, respectively. This program deeply inspired her to focus her career on developing space technology. She was later invited to become a mentor in the IASP 2021 edition.

Along with her undergraduate studies, Nathalie has performed research on aerospace systems within her university and in collaboration with Tokyo Metropolitan University. In summer 2021, she was awarded Mitacs Globalink Research Internship, conducting research on Multi-legged robots at Queen's University, Canada. She is a member of Space Makers, a student group devoted to developing space technology and participating in aerospace-related competitions such as the Spaceport America Cup - Intercollegiate Rocket Competition.

Seeking to get her community closer to space science, Nathalie joined the Astronomical Society of Monterrey Tech (SATEM) as project director for two years, which organizes conferences, workshops, and diverse science communication events for all ages. She was also a monthly writer at the astronomical magazine QUASAR.

During the pandemic, Nathalie discovered her passion for science communication. Since then, she has given more than 30 talks, including a TEDx talk, seeking to bring young people closer to science and encourage more women to get involved in STEM fields.

In 2021 she was awarded as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico by Forbes magazine and part of the list of 50 Personalities Changing Mexico by Quien magazine. In 2022, after applying for the second time, she finally became a Brookie intering at Planet.

Besides space exploration, Nathalie is passionate about helping her fellows succeed, dancing Tango and Salsa, and learning new languages.