my path (so far) to the aerospace industry.

My name is Nathalie Vilchis Lagunes, I was born on December 22, 1998.
A few years ago, I believed that the aerospace industry was an area of study reserved only for citizens of highly developed and transformed countries, for brilliant minds I couldn't compare my self with.

​However, I never lost interest and curiosity in aerospace science and technology. When I finally got involved in space-related projects, participated in international competitions and met successful engineers in the aerospace sector, it was when I realized that making my way in the industry, I didn't necessarily have to be a genius, but a highly motivated, committed and persevering engineer.


Today studying the sixth semester of mechatronic engineering at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, I was selected nationally as one of the only 3 people who will represent Mexico doing a research stay at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory during the period August - December 2020.


As the winner of this call, I am asked to present proof of funds of at least 2,400 USD per month to cover lodging, transportation, food, among other expenses. Being a 5-month stay, a total of 12,000 USD is required, with the deadline of March 2020.


I am running a fundraising campaign, where you can find more detailed information in the following link https://www.inixar.com/proyectos/chica-nasa and on social networks "Chica NASA". Any contribution will be very valuable in achieving this goal.

​How did I get here?


My parents, Leopoldo Vilchis and Edith Lagunes, always tried to inculcate in me and my younger brother, Leopoldo, the importance of education and the love for science. This is how I managed to obtain a scholarship to study high school at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Toluca, Metepec campus.


During high school, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the International Air and Space Program at NASA, organized by AEXA Aerospace company and NASA's Johnson Space Center. In this competition, I obteined the 1st place two consecutive years, from my proposal of a manned mission to Mars and the exploration of the moon of Jupiter, Europe, respectively. From this experience, I learned that space science is within our reach and that the limitations of nationality and gender can be overcome with dedication and effort.

​After this program I decided to follow my dreams and dedicate my career to the aerospace field, for this I applied to foreign universities that offer a career in Aerospace Engineering, and I got accepted in 4 Canadian universities and with a full scholarship in each of them, the problem, I wasn't economically possible for me to study in any of them.


Fortunately, the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey gave me a 90% scholarship for my university studies after having obtained the first place on the grades of my generation in high school. So I chose to study a career in Mechatronics Engineering because of the inspiration my FIRST Tecbot robotics team gave me during high school.


This is how I studied the first year of university at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Toluca and looking for better research opportunities and aerospace projects I transferred to Campus Monterrey, where I moved a year and a half ago. Here I have tried to complement my university studies being part of research projects and student groups.


For a year I have been part of the topic of "Aerospace Research" directed by Dr. Sajjad Keshtkar, where we are developing an autonomous hazard detection system for a landing on Mars and a mechanical design with new control strategies for free-floating robots in coordination with the Tokyo Metropolitan University of Japan. We are also part of BrainVue, a team supervised by Dr. Leonardo Garrido, which combines medicine, technology, and social robotics to generate positive changes in the clinical area.

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Among my favorite activities is participating in student groups, I am part of the organizing committee and a lecturer at the ITESM Astronomical Society, which is dedicated to the spread of aerospace science. I am also a member of the Space Makers group led by MSC. Paloma González Robles, where we want to start developing small university aerospace projects.
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Nathalie Vilchis

Nathalie Vilchis Lagunes is an enthusiastic mechatronic engineering student at the Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Her passion for space took her to attend the International Air and Space Program (IASP) at 2015 and 2016. Achieving first place in both occasions. She was also a participant of the first edition of the International Medical Innovation and Research Program (IMIRP) 2017.

She is currently working in the research and development of aerospace technology within her university and is an active member of the Astronomical Society of Tecnológico de Monterrey which spreads the science of space for all ages.

Nathalie was recently selected as one of the 3 students of Mexico that will attend to a research internship in NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she will be working with technology intended for Mars and Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.
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