May 6, 2025
Congratulations to our Class of 2025 students who will be leaving the Forty Acres soon to continue their engineering journeys in the real world. These students have had a busy year designing space missions, building and flying aircraft, solving important problems using computational methods and more. Some have also been participating in internships and study abroad programs while others have been conducting impactful research alongside our faculty. We’re spotlighting just a handful of our outstanding students’ accomplishments and their plans for the future as they head out to change the world. We can’t wait to see what they do next.
Jeremiah (Jerri) Do
Degree: B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Minor in Materials Science and Engineering
Hometown: Garland, TX
Awards: Recipient of the Stamps Forty Acres Scholarship, supported by Lana Jones O'Hara and Will O'Hara, UT Honors: College Scholar 2023-2025 (Top 20% Cockrell School)
Leadership: Events Lead for Longhorn Racing Electric (2021), Testing Lead for Texas Guadaloop (2022), Head of Mechanical Design for Texas Guadaloop (2023), Payload and Systems Lead for Texas Flight (2023), Head of Business for Texas Flight (2024), Founder/CEO of Stork Aerospace (2024), Financial Development Executive for Ignite Texas (2024), Assistant Director for Ignite Texas (2025), Project Manager for NASA SUITS AETHER-NET Team (2025)
Undergraduate Research: I conducted human-autonomy interaction and augmented reality UI research as part of NASA SUITS, focusing on augmented reality interface design for lunar EVAs for the Artemis generation spacesuits. I also briefly developed uniaxial drone conceptual designs for naval cargo surveillance under Dr. Jayant Sirohi.
Internships: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Design Engineering Internship (2023), Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Project Engineering Internship (2024)
Study Abroad: Intro to Engineering Design and Graphics in Copenhagen, Denmark with Dr. Billy Wood (2022), European Hyperloop Weekend in Delft, Netherlands (2022), Texas Perspectives trip to the Israeli/Palestinian Territories (2024), Forty Acres Scholars Program Senior Trip to Costa Rica (2025)
How has your UT experience helped prepare you for your career path?
UT prepared me for a career in aerospace administration and management by giving me real leadership opportunities and the chance to guide others. The alumni network is incredibly supportive—they’ve been there for everything from late-night homework help to launching a business.
Best UT Memories
Meeting my girlfriend, waking up too early for football games, winning an Intramural Championship in Volleyball, growing closer to my FIG and spending every summer serving at Ignite Texas!
What’s Next?
I will be continuing my role at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas as a project engineer supporting the F-35 Program.
Sresha Ventrapragada
Degree: Computational Engineering with Business Minor, Elements of Computing and Applied Statistical Modeling Certificates
Hometown: Coppell, TX
Scholarships and Awards: Engineering Honors Program, T. W. Whaley, Jr. Friends of Alec Endowed Scholarship, George L. Clark Scholarship, UT Honors: Distinguished College Scholar 2023 (Top 4% in Cockrell School)
Leadership: WIALD President (2024-2025), OnRamps Precalculus Grading Mentor
Internships: AWS NatSec Software Development Intern at Amazon in Summer 2024, Software Engineering Intern at JPMorgan Chase in Summer 2023, Software Engineering Intern at CACI International Inc in Summer 2022
How has your UT experience helped prepare you for your career path?
My experience at UT helped me grow as a computational engineer by giving me the opportunity to explore a variety of interests through challenging coursework, exciting student organizations, and collaborating with passionate peers. I'm excited to carry the skills and experiences I've gained into the next phase of my career.
Best UT Memories
Late nights spent “studying” with friends, full of chatting, laughter, and last-minute cramming. I also loved exploring new buildings around campus and finding hidden spots to hang out or work.
What’s Next?
After graduation, I will be joining Amazon in Seattle as a software engineer.
Taj Lee
Degree: B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Awards: Patti Grace Smith Fellowship ‘23
Leadership: Head of Structures at Texas Rocket Engineering Lab
Internship: My internship at SpaceX was the most formative and rewarding experience of my career so far. I took ownership of critical test infrastructure for Falcon 9, and the responsibility pushed me to grow rapidly as both an engineer and a teammate. Working alongside some of the brightest and most driven people I’ve ever met, I was constantly inspired by the team's focus, technical excellence, and relentless commitment to mission success. The experience solidified my desire to return full-time and continue contributing to meaningful work in aerospace.
How has your UT experience helped prepare you for your career path?
My time at UT Austin was instrumental in preparing me for my career — not just academically, but personally and professionally. The aerospace engineering program provided a strong technical foundation and hands-on experience. But just as important were the people I met. I built lasting friendships and a strong network of peers who pushed me to grow, supported me through challenges, and inspired me with their own passion and drive. Being surrounded by such a talented and motivated community shaped who I am as an engineer and as a person
Best UT Memories
The late nights and early mornings building the largest collegiate rocket ever.
What’s Next?
I will be joining SpaceX full time as an integration and test engineer.
Maritza Miranda
Degree: B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Devers, TX
Awards: Texas Excellence Scholarship, George and Mary Josephine Scholarship, Wings Club Foundation Scholarship
Leadership: Hotfire Co-Lead (TREL), Cooling Responsible Engineer (TREL)
Internship/Study Abroad: I studied abroad in Paris, France the summer of 2022 where I took the Engineering Communications course. In the summer of 2023, I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain where I participated in the Dynamics and Industry Immersion program. While in Spain, I did an internship at Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell as a Simulation Testing Intern. In this role, I performed Quality Test Guide (QTG) testing on a Tecnam P2006T simulator, Boeing 737 simulator, and Cessna 172S simulator with the assistance of the Simulation Testing Manager.
How has your UT experience helped prepare you for your career path?
The amount of unique opportunities that have been presented to me while I have been at UT have allowed me to explore avenues that I didn’t even know existed much less thought that I would even take. From working on a liquid bi-propellant engine test stand to attending aerospace award shows surrounded by astronauts and industry CEOs, I not only found the motivation to continue towards my career path but was also able to establish connections with incredible mentors whose advice propelled me towards success.
Best UT Memories
My favorite UT memories would have to be every time I was in the ASE/EM Department office as I always felt welcome and looked forward to all of the conversations that I would have with my colleagues. I am grateful for every single one of them, and their unwavering support means the world to me.
What’s Next?
In July, I will be participating in the Asclepios V Analog Astronaut mission in Switzerland as part of the Mission Control Crew where I will be fulfilling the roles of Mission Procedure and Compliance Officer as well as Flight Activities Officer. After that, I will be starting full time at Southwest Research Institute as a spacecraft systems engineer.
