Zenith Fellow Mentee, Class of 2025
University of Alberta, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Mentor: Heidi Bathory

Growing up, Crysta has always dreamed of exploring the stars and one day setting foot on distant planets. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta, with hopes to specialize in Aerospace Engineering after graduation.

Crysta is passionate about advancing space exploration through interdisciplinary research and collaboration. She is dedicated to making space more accessible by opening doors for underrepresented groups in STEM, believing that the future of space should be accessible to all.

Crysta served as the project lead of AtmoTech, a student team that competed in the Canadian Stratospheric Balloon Experiment 6 (CAN-SBX) campaign. During this project, she and her team developed a compact, deployable solar array mechanism tested in the stratosphere. Now, as the project manager for the CAN-SBX campaign with SEDS Canada, Crysta directs research and development efforts for high-altitude experiments with the Canadian Space Agency, supporting post-secondary students on stratospheric research. She is also the president of Mission SpaceWalker, an all-women research group at the University of Alberta. Recently, her team was selected to participate in the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment 8 (CAN-RGX) campaign, where they are testing a bioreactor to enhance passive nutrient distribution for cyanobacteria cultivation in microgravity, in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency and the National Research Council.

Outside of her studies, Crysta enjoys setting up her telescope on clear nights to practice astrophotography, capturing images of the night sky and sharing the beauty of space with others. In the winter, you might find her skiing down the slopes at Marmot Basin with her friends, or chasing the northern lights under clear skies. She is also passionate about music and loves spending her free time playing the piano.

In her upcoming work term, Crysta will be joining Pegasus Imagery, an aerospace and aviation company in Edmonton, Canada, where she will contribute to the development of a wind tunnel design for their MIDAS technology. This opportunity will allow her to expand on her technical background while gaining hands-on experience in the aerospace industry. Crysta is excited to join the Zenith Fellowship to connect with like-minded individuals, learn, and contribute to the ongoing advancement of space exploration and diversity in STEM.