SGx2025 Organizing Team
Visionary Team Leaders
Sapna Rao is a Systems Engineer Sr at Lockheed Martin Commercial Civil Space located in Denver, CO. She is currently supporting the GeoXO program as the Systems Test Lead for the next generation of weather satellites. She has previously worked on Artemis II’s Orion vehicle, the Human Lander System, the Cryogenic Demonstration Mission and was leading commercialization for the Lunar Mobility Vehicle. For SGAC she has been on the organizing teams for SGC 2022 and SGFF 2023, was the team lead for the Space Exploration Project Group’s ACHIEVED project, and helped support a project on STEM outreach throughout Europe with the Diversity and Gender Equality Team. Outside of work Sapna enjoys skiing, hiking, Formula 1, and Dungeons and Dragons.
Olga currently serves as a Chief of Staff at Firefly Aerospace. Prior to joining Firefly, Olga has worked at Dassault Systemes, Fortune 50 software company, and v(room)), a Paris-based marketing and strategic consultancy agency where she advised top technology and luxury companies on building a brand presence in the digital realm. Among her clients were Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, Audemars Piguet, and SOLIDWORKS. During her free time, Olga is actively involved with Space Generation Advisory Council, a global non-governmental, non-profit (US 501(c)3) organization and network, which aims to represent university students and young space professionals to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia. Olga holds a Master’s in International Marketing from KEDGE Business School, a Master of Science in International Marketing and Management from ISM University of Management and Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from LCC International University, where she graduated Cum Laude.
Program Team
Rachita Puri is an Aerospace Engineer at the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation in Washington D.C. In her role she leads the safety authorization for space launches and reentries and she coordinates with government partners including NASA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. State Department. Rachita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from The Ohio State University, where she specialized in the Global Option in Engineering Concentration, and she recently completed the International Space University’s Space Studies Program in Brazil. Rachita is actively involved with the Space Generation Advisory Council and she is passionate about advancing space through international collaborations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, equestrianism, and painting scenes from her travels around the world.
As a frequent researcher, writer, and commentator, Cody Knipfer is an active participant in the dialogue and debate about the future of the global commercial space sector. He currently supports the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce through Global Science & Technology, Inc. Prior to joining this team, he worked with GXO, Inc., supporting early-stage clients in the commercial aerospace sector, and spent several years in the Government Affairs offices of Virgin Orbit and Virgin Galactic.
He holds a Master’s Degree in International Science and Technology Policy, with a specialization in space policy, from the George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Affairs from McDaniel College. In a volunteer capacity, he supports the Washington Space Business Roundtable as its Programs Co-Chair and sits on the Zed Factor Fellowship’s Executive Board.
Event Coordination Team
Alex Merker is a Senior Consultant at Guidehouse, where he supports federal agencies involved in the regulation of commercial spaceflight. Prior to his current role, he was the lead aerospace and defense industry researcher for the Aerospace Industries Association. Possessing a lifelong passion for space, aviation, and governance, he holds a M.A. in Transportation Policy from George Mason University and a B.A. in Political Science from Arcadia University.
Uli is a dedicated young space law professional who recently completed the ISU SSP 2024 at the in Houston. Formerly a Legal Counsel at Ryanair in Dublin, she holds a German law degree, a Bachelor’s in International Legal Studies, and a Master’s in International and Comparative Law with a focus on aviation law. Uli has authored multiple papers on space law and attended the ECSL summer course on space law and policy. With her academic and professional experience, she’s eager for more hands-on involvement in the space sector.
Outside of her legal work, Uli enjoys winter sports, running, and exploring the outdoors. She participates in analog astronaut missions, “world’s longest” races, and mountain climbs. Originally from Germany, Uli has lived in New Zealand, the UK, and now Ireland, where she’s an active volunteer in sports and space communities. Passionate about connecting with like-minded people, she’s always ready for new challenges and exciting projects.
Alex Drozda is currently a Mechanical Engineering Consultant with Cislune Inc, where he is involved with the design of novel ISRU systems for lunar development, project management, and engaging with potential partners for future programs. Off hours, he’s interested in law and policy, playing music, and swing dancing. Alex has been involved with SGAC in various capacities since 2017.
Communication Team
Ayumi Tsuyuki is an Integration & Test engineer at Northrop Grumman. She is currently supporting the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) program in designing structures. As a recent graduate from Duke University, where she majored in biomedical engineering, she is most intrigued by the intersection between human biology and space, having performed research on hypoxia and biomechanics under lunar gravity. She also manages social media for the Future Space Leaders Foundation, which has fostered her love for contributing towards connecting students and young professionals with opportunities in the space sector.
Vatasta is a MEXT Research student at SSDL Kyushu University (Kyudai), Japan. She received her Bachelor of Technology in Aerospace Engineering with a specialization in Avionics from India. During her undergraduate studies, she was an active member of Infinity Space Club: The Astronautical Society of UPES and served as a senior executive, contributing significantly to the club’s initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation and exploration. Additionally, she co-led Team Agastya: Aero-Design Team of UPES for the AIAA DBF competition excelling in the collaborative environment. She was an industrial intern at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Helicopter Division, and at the 8 Base Repair Depot Indian Air Force, Chennai. Vatasta is also actively involved with the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and gained valuable experience at SGAC while serving on the Public Relations and Communications team for the OGL Hackathon, and the SGx. She is also an active member in SSSPG and SSPG, enabling her to make valuable contributions to multiple research projects. She was awarded the SGAC-BryceTech-Heo-SWF for attending the 6th Summit for Space Sustainability, Tokyo. She was recently awarded the Nebula Award for attending the SGC and IAC 2024 in Milan, Italy. Her aspirations are a preface to her research, closely aligned with the direction of responsible and sustainable use of outer space for the benefit of present and future generations.
Career Development Team
Anna is a graduate student with research interests in Aerospace Sustainability, Environmental Anthropology, and Global Governance. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Sustainability & the Environment and Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida International University and a Master’s in Space Operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her professional experience spans program management, outreach, events coordination, and education, equipping her to engage diverse audiences and address multifaceted challenges.
As a PhD applicant, Anna seeks to explore how space exploration and satellite technologies can drive international collaboration to address pressing global issues such as climate change, environmental justice, and equitable resource management. By working with SGAC, she hopes to contribute to the development of policies and frameworks that promote sustainable and inclusive space operations, ensuring that advancements in aerospace benefit humanity as a whole. Her ultimate goal is to leverage her expertise in research, education, and advocacy to inspire new generations of leaders to view space not only as a frontier for exploration but also as a catalyst for uniting humanity in addressing shared global challenges.
Emily is a recent Master’s graduate in Public Policy from the University of Tokyo, with a strong interest in behavioral insights in public policy, education policy, and, more recently, space policy and space law. Her growing interest in the space sector was inspired by her internship at the European Space Agency, leading her to engage more actively in the space sector with organizations like the Space Generation Advisory Council.
Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and Psychology from McGill University. She has worked across a range of sectors, including the non-profit for youth mental health, the federal government of Canada, and international organizations such as the Asian Development Bank Institute. She aims to leverage her experiences and skills to contribute to the space sector as she continues to deepen her involvement in this field.
