Meet The Students of Cohort-2
University of Sheffield x Exploration
David Berlanga-Reyes
David is an MEng Aerospace Engineering graduate from the University of Sheffield with a focus on high-temperature materials and manufacturing for critical propulsion applications. He completed a year in industry in R&D at Atlas Copco, supporting the development of a novel joining technology for lightweight structures through materials selection and experimental testing. His final year project, supporting Rolls-Royce research efforts, investigated the microstructural evolution of nickel-based superalloys during inertia friction welding, using metallographic preparation and SEM/EDS analysis to link processing to weld integrity.
David’s project aims to apply this background to rocket propulsion challenges by developing and testing high-temperature, combustion-resistant alloys and their additive manufacturability for turbomachinery components.
Kingston University x Pulsar
Simonas Brasas
Simonas graduated from Kingston University with a BEng in Aerospace Engineering (with Space Technology) and is returning to the university to begin his PhD. During his undergraduate studies, he participated in the Kingston University Rocket Engineering (KURE) society activities . In the first year, he contributed to the Mach-23 competition as CanSat Lead. The following year, he became society president and participated in R2S project as part of Kingfisher team. During the last year, he served as society project manager for KURE's flight computer team and was one of the lead advisors for KURE at Mach-25.
In 2024, Simonas represented the United Kingdom as part of Team UK at the WorldSkills Lyon international competition. Competing in the Industry 4.0 skill, he and his teammate worked on assembling, configuring, and setting up industrial and energy monitoring systems as digital production design engineers. The competition involved PLC and HMI programming, developing manufacturing execution systems, augmented reality (AR), digital twin and shadow applications, cybersecurity, and more.
Simonas' research project focuses on plume diagnostics for electric propulsion systems capable of operating with alternative propellants that are commonly used in conventional chemical rockets, with applications for upper stage rockets.
Find out more about Simonas's research project
Cranfield University x MagDrive
Tyler Hurt
Tyler Hurt was born and raised in Georgia, USA. He began his career in custom fabrication, working with a wide range of manufacturing and prototyping techniques. During this period, he became a private helicopter pilot and later joined the United States Marine Corps as a helicopter crew chief. After leaving the military, he earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. While completing his studies, he undertook multiple internships that culminated in a cooperative placement at NASA. He was subsequently hired as a NASA civil servant within the Launch Services Program, working as a Guidance, Navigation, and Controls engineer. Following his time at NASA, he focused on rapid prototyping of IoT systems and serverless architectures. He then went on to teach middle and high school students mechatronics through NASA’s TechRise Challenge. He later transitioned to working as a test controls and mechatronics engineer, developing custom motor controls, instrumentation, and automated test rigs for electric propulsion systems.
While attending Cranfield University, Tyler’s PhD research will focus on electric rocket propulsion in collaboration with the UK-based startup Magdrive as part of the R2T2 program.
Kingston University x EECL
Arya Iranian
Arya Iranian is an Astronautics engineering graduate driven by hands-on problem solving, manufacturing and design. Throughout his studies, he has actively sought out STEM projects starting from First Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics competitions. He has held leadership and Systems engineer roles across multiple competitions, including MACH rocketry competitions. A defining part of Arya’s work has been his focus on additive manufacturing on processes such as improving regenerative cooling efficiencies in rocket engines. His undergraduate research explored advanced porous metal cooling channels for rocket engines, supported by industry collaboration, which demonstrated significant thermal performance improvements.
Arya's PhD delves into Electric Propulsion, specifically metal plasma thrusters, where cathode materials dominate performance factors, a large research gap has been identified in alloyed cathode materials and metal crystalline structures. Through the R2T2 cohort, he is looking to deepen his experimental and research capabilities while learning from others across disciplines of rocketry.
Find out more about Arya's research project.
University of Surrey x SSTL
Eden Marks
Eden graduated from the University of Surrey with a BSc in Chemistry, being awarded the Downland section prize for his work on aqueous sodium-ion batteries.
He is keen to transfer his expertise in electrochemistry and passion for hands on work to the expansive field of in-space propulsion while working alongside supervisors Dr Andrea Lucca Fabris and Dr Bahman Amini Horri.
Find out more about Eden's research project.
University of Glasgow
Peter Matheseon
Peter graduated from The University of Strathclyde with a BEng in Aero-mechanical Engineering, before going on to work in product development in the German automotive industry.
Although he has always had a fascination with space exploration, it was his recent MSc in Space Science and Technology with the Open University that inspired him to pursue a career in the space launch industry. A highlander of Skye and Kintyre family, he looks forward to contributing to the launch of a space industry in rural Scotland.
Find out more about Peter's research project.
Cranfield University x BAE
Nathanael Matthews
Nathanael graduated from QMUL and progressed his studies further at Cranfield University in aerospace dynamics. Since then, he has undertaken several research projects at Cranfield with industrial partners both at home with BAE, RR and Airbus as well as abroad with NASA and Boeing.
Nathanael looks forward to returning to high-speed flows and developing experiments, software and an understanding that will help push this field forward.
University of Glasgow x SoftInWay
Madi Menzies
Madi first studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield where she developed her interest in liquid rocket propulsion.
She worked on feed systems in Project Sunride and in her final year developed a centrifugal pump for rocketry applications.
Her work within R2T2 aims to expand on this interest in turbomachinery.
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University of Sheffield x Falcon Project Ltd
Adam Tulip
Adam graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with an MEng in Aerospace Engineering, having always enjoyed being hands-on and joining a range of projects from Formula Student to founding UHRocketry, the university’s rocketry team. He is now at the University of Sheffield, where he continues to build on these interests through his PhD research.
Adam’s research focuses on the design and integration of hypersonic sounding rockets. Taking a multidisciplinary approach that spans the breadth of high-speed flight, From waverider aerodynamics to ramjet propulsion systems. By investigating how these elements interact, he plans to use these insights to optimize the performance and feasibility of the next generation of hypersonic research platforms.