Zenith Fellow Intern, Class of 2023
Princeton University, Bachelor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Host Organization: Canadian Space Mining Corporation
Mentor: Kyle Acierno

Mariko is a second-year student at Princeton University pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering, with minors in Robotics and Intelligent Systems, and Applications of Computing.

Her fascination with space exploration was sparked by a middle school trip to the Kennedy Space Center and countless nights spent stargazing all around the world. She has been passionate about aerospace innovation ever since and is excited to explore the limitless possibilities of space exploration. In particular, she strives to advance the intersection of sustainability and aerospace engineering, an interest that has been fueled by her previous work on electric aviation and microplastic removal projects.

Mariko was one of the founding members of the E-Hawk project, an effort to promote sustainable flight technology through the development of a single-seat, electric aircraft. As the mechanical engineering lead, she fabricated and assembled various plane structures, single-handedly applied the aircraft fabric covering, designed mounts for the electronics, and more. Over the course of four years, she had the opportunity to experience every step of the engineering process, from project conception, to fabrication, to certification, and finally testing. In addition to the technical aspects of the project, she focused on outreach through website development, collaboration with other student organizations, and presentations to the EAA and the Electric Flight Test Committee.

Mariko has also been involved with several projects related to microplastic pollution, which has had unexpected, yet significant, overlap with current work in the space industry. Her research experience with the Complex Fluids Lab at Princeton has given her a unique perspective on emerging technology for water purification systems on the ISS and in future space habitats. Looking ahead, she strives to further explore innovative ideas for sustainable resource utilization that bridge the challenges faced in space and on Earth.

At Princeton, Mariko has continued to follow her passion for sustainability, mechanical design, and aerospace engineering through her involvement in Rocketry Club, Princeton Racing Electric, and the Intelligent Robot Motion Lab. She is grateful to be named a Zenith Pathways Fellow, and through this opportunity, she strives to deepen her knowledge and experience in the space sector while tackling challenging engineering tasks. She is beyond excited to be joining the Canadian Space Mining Corporation this summer!