30 Jul 2021

We're celebrating National Intern Day by recognizing some of our interns who are leaving an enduring impact on our agency and humanity.

Karelia Silvestrini

Karelia Silvestrini attends Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico and is currently interning with the Magnetic Separation projects team to support the structural design of the Heavy Lift Magnetic Release project. This project is one of a kind, as it provides an innovative approach to use magnets for lift, while enhancing safety.

The space shuttle spacecraft inspired Karelia to pursue a mechanical engineering degree. That inspiration led to her goal of working for NASA and contributing to the agency’s mission. Her ideal career would contribute to future human space exploration. Karelia also plans to share her NASA internship experience with students from non-traditional universities, students who are underprivileged, and minorities who are curious about the space industry.

Karelia’s inspiration comes from her grandma, Maria Arroyo, and grandfather, Pepe. Her grandfather didn’t have the appropriate education, yet he still managed to open a market and satisfy his wish to provide a better life for him and his family. Karelia studied in the public school system, had limited resources, and struggled financially in her university years. Despite these challenges, she kept fighting for her dream to become part of NASA.

Nathan Allaire

Nathan Allaire is a senior at California State University Long Beach in California, studying aerospace engineering with an emphasis in astronautics. During his internship, he is working on a system that will use magnetic based release-and-hold mechanisms in conjunction with a moveable support gantry outfitted with in-flight tracking software. The system also features magnetic end effectors capable of yaw and pitch rotational movement. The goal of the system is to conduct a compelling proof-of-concept demonstration using novel magnets and robotically driven mechanisms.

Nathan’s grandfather worked on the Apollo missions, similar to how he hopes to work on manned space craft design for interplanetary missions. Nathan was also selected for the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS), where he went to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and gained valuable work experience and an in-depth tour of its facilities. He has now seen two NASA centers in person, which inspires him to work hard to achieve his goals.

Aurora Mak

Aurora recently graduated from Portland State University in Oregon with a mathematics degree. She grew up watching Star Trek Voyager, so her affinity for space and exploration developed early and she said NASA is the place to live that dream. Aurora believes research is simply exploration on a macro scale. For that reason, when she was offered a remote internship with NASA, she jumped on the opportunity. Her internship focuses on researching and developing propeller design methods using Prandtl theory which includes minimum induced drag and bending moment, named after the German aerodynamicist Ludwig Prandtl’s 1933 theory.

Her ideal career includes working with the NASA community and improving the overall education and accessibility to everyone. She intends to accomplish that goal by working for local government, or a non-profit. Regardless, her goal is to encourage young people to engage in education and community work. Aurora says her mom and dad inspire her. As a first generation American, the amount of love and support she receives continues to propel her to work hard and follow her goals. She feels extremely fortunate for the ability to apply for a remote internship, because it wouldn’t have been possible for her to continue going to school and work for NASA. The love, support, and encouragement from Aurora’s family and friends is what pushed her to even apply –  that support was key to her achieving her goals.