The 2026
ASCENT Cohort

Nicole (Nic) Lee is a graduate student in the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics pursuing dual S.M. degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Technology & Policy. She conducts research in the Human Systems Lab, where she develops wearable systems to mitigate musculoskeletal and cardiovascular deconditioning during long-duration spaceflight and extreme environments. Nic’s interests include novel spacesuit design, integrated astronaut systems, and education and outreach. Prior to MIT, she earned a dual B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Business, Economics, and Management from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). She currently serves as Co-President of the Graduate Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT.

Pedro Rodríguez Jiménez is an Aerospace Engineering graduate and Industrial Mathematics master’s student at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), where he focuses on numerical simulation and data-driven modeling. His current research centers on data-driven reduced-order models designed to predict urban air pollution, bringing together high-performance numerical simulation and machine learning. He earned his Bachelor’s with a thesis on GPU parallel computing and high-performance simulation, and his broader interests span applied mathematics, high-performance computing, space systems, and data-driven technologies.

Beyond the lab, a persistent drive to build and improve things took him through a startup incubation program in Shanghai and led him to co-found AppLinkers, a university community platform that reached 10,000 students organically, with zero ad spend, by partnering with some of Spain’s largest student communities on social media.

Hello, I’m Pinki! I’m from Brussels, and I’m currently on a year-long exchange at UPM. I’m a Master’s student in Chemical and Materials Engineering. I’m especially interested in sustainable technologies and environmental issues. In my free time, I love wandering around the city, pretending I’m a local, and finding new places to eat with my friends.

Pablo Campoy is a final-year Industrial Design Engineering student at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSIDI). His work focuses on additive manufacturing, particularly FDM, and the development of experimental systems such as non-planar slicing and multi-axis printing.

He is currently working at IMDEA Materials, contributing to research and development projects in advanced manufacturing.

Alongside this, Pablo develops personal projects at the intersection of engineering and design, including 3D-printed orthopedic solutions, orthopedic sneakers inspired by sneaker culture, and silicone casting molds for biomedical-related applications, enabling functional printing through the integration of bioresponsive inks.

He is particularly interested in applying engineering to solve practical problems and creating functional products with real-world impact.

I am an Aerospace Engineering student at UPM. Ever since I was a kid, I have been captivated by space and its mysteries. My goal is simple, to turn my lifelong passion into my career and develop innovative solutions that actively help people and solve real-world problems.

To achieve this, I run a blog and newsletter covering the latest advancements in the space sector. My interest in technology also led me to coding and web development, allowing me to build digital solutions and explore entrepreneurship.

Over the years, I have launched several side projects that taught me invaluable lessons about building products from scratch. Currently, I am developing a platform helping restaurant owners shift digitally and reduce costs. Shaped by international experiences in Italy, Germany, and China, I am always eager to step outside my comfort zone and tackle complex technical challenges.

I am currently pursuing an MSc in Environmental Engineering at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, specializing in climate change mitigation and energy systems. My academic background combines aerospace and biomedical engineering, which has given me a multidisciplinary perspective and a strong interest in applying technology to solve complex real-world problems.

I have gained experience working in international and European projects related to aerospace and innovation, particularly in U-space systems, risk assessment, and data-driven engineering, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders. These experiences have strengthened my motivation to contribute to impactful, large-scale solutions.

I am deeply passionate about nature and the environment, and I am especially interested in how emerging technologies can help us better understand and protect our planet. I am motivated by the challenge of improving environmental monitoring, resource management, and sustainability in a rapidly changing world.

Beyond my academic and professional interests, I love spending time outdoors. I enjoy hiking, practicing sports in nature, traveling, and capturing landscapes and wildlife through photography. These experiences shape the way I see the world and reinforce my commitment to environmental preservation.

I would describe myself as an intense, active, and caring person, qualities that I bring into teamwork, learning, and tackling new challenges.

Christopher Kwon is a graduate student in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he focuses on materials and structures with a minor in space systems engineering. His research centers on advanced, nano-engineered composite materials designed to make future aerospace vehicles lighter, stronger, and more reliable in demanding environments. He earned his Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from MIT and his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia, and his broader interests include in-situ resource utilization, space exploration, human spaceflight, space systems, and new structural concepts for next-generation air and space vehicles. Outside the lab, he finds balance in fashion, music, photography, and hunting down great food, and he loves connecting with others over how people live, create, and experience the world.

I am a Data Science Master’s student at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), with a background in Mathematics and Computer Science. I currently work as a Data Scientist at CaixaBank Tech — a role I will be finishing this month — where I focus on building production-ready AI agent pipelines, with a particular emphasis on LLM optimization and benchmarking.

Outside of work and studies, I enjoy participating in hackathons and spending time in nature through walking and hiking. I bring a cross-cultural perspective to everything I do, shaped by my multilingual background.

Gonzalo García Valero is an Aerospace Engineer currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM – ETSIAE), where he also completed his undergraduate degree with a specialization in Aerospace Vehicles. Selected as a Fellow for the 2026 ASCENT cohort, Gonzalo is a passionate and hardworking engineer who brings a disciplined, analytical mindset and a deep interest in aerodynamics, flight physics, and aeroelasticity. Currently serving as a Research Intern in UPM’s DAVE Department, his research focuses on the aeroelastic stability analysis of missile configurations equipped with grid fins. Gonzalo attributes his academic and professional progress to consistent effort and resilience. Thanks to this dedication, his hard work has occasionally been rewarded with opportunities like a UPM Collaboration Grant and a presentation at the 15th EASN International Conference. His commitment to his studies also led to him receiving the 2025 Best Final Degree Thesis Award in Defense and Security (UPM–CESEDEN), as well as honors distinctions in several core aerospace disciplines.

Driven by a desire to translate technical insight into real-world applications, Gonzalo is joining ASCENT to bridge his engineering background with aerospace innovation and entrepreneurship. He is excited to bring his strong work ethic to the team and collaborate on identifying unmet needs and scaling impactful aerospace solutions.

I’m Alejandro Ábalos López, a Spanish Geospatial Engineering student at UPM who has never been one to just follow the crowd. Driven by discipline, I was honored to earn the top academic record in my class during my first year, a milestone that confirmed for me the power of consistency.

Beyond the classroom, I’ve lived in Ljubljana and completed intensive courses in Bucharest and Trondheim. Travelling extensively has fueled my passion for connecting with diverse cultures and gaining global perspectives. Professionally, I’m at GMV working on a military intelligence project focused on AI and RAG systems, thriving in high-stakes environments.

Sports have instilled in me the grit and competitive mindset I carry into everything I do. I’m proud to join the first ASCENT cohort, ready to push boundaries alongside a community that aims to make a real-world impact.

My name is Lucía Cuevas and I am a Data Science and Engineering graduate currently completing my Master’s in Machine Learning and Big Data while working as an AI Engineer. Beyond the numbers, I am professionally curious and always on the hunt for topics I don’t know anything about, deep conversations, or a book I haven’t even heard of. I’m a firm believer that being professional doesn’t mean being solemn. You’ll find me in a deep flow state when a project demands it, but always with a smile. I’ve learned that we achieve the best results when we’re having fun and pushing through challenges without losing our sense of humor. To me, a setback is just a reason to laugh, pivot, and find an even better solution. Having previously dived into social innovation projects, I’ve learned that while the goal is impact, the real magic happens within the team, where teammates often turn into great friends. I love people that care, and care about people that love!