Paula do Vale Pereira, Ph.D.

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Hi, I'm Paula!

I'm an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of the University of Central Florida (UCF). My research is focused on technology development for small satellites and probes for the exploration of Ocean Worlds, such as Europa and Enceladus.

I am passionate about engineering, space exploration, and hands-on learning.

Work Experience

Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering

University of Central Florida

August 2024 - Ongoing Orlando, FL - USA

Continuing research on small satellite technology and probes for the exploration of Ocean Worlds. Directing the Space Exploration and Spacecraft Engineering Laboratory.



Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering

Florida Institute of Technology

August 2022 - August 2024 Melbourne, FL - USA

Performed research on small satellite technology and probes for the exploration of Ocean Worlds. Taught Space Flight Mechanics and Space Mission Engineering.


Visiting Researcher

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

August 2021 - April 2022 Pasadena, CA - USA

Working in section 394 (Mission Systems Engineering), developing probes for the exploration of Europa (moon of Jupiter).


Graduate Research Assistant

MIT Space Telecommunications Astronomy and Radiation Lab

May 2018 - May 2022 Cambridge, MA - USA

Developing, assembling, testing, and operating small spacecraft; modeling and experimentally studying probes for Europa (Jupiter).


Optical and Satellite Systems Intern

Facebook Connectivity Labs

May 2020 - August 2020 Northridge, CA - USA

Optimized design of radio unit enclosures for thermal dissipation; designed efficient, low-cost radio mount for large-scale manufacturing.


Optical and Satellite Systems Intern

Facebook Connectivity Labs

August 2019 - October 2019 Northridge, CA - USA

Tested and analyzed the thermal effects of laser beams on fast steering mirrors; improved and prototyped structure of Wi-Fi units.


Graduate Research Assistant

MIT Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative

January 2019 - May 2020 Cambridge, MA - USA

Led the technical side of the Climate CubeSat Co-build (C3), teaching satellite engineering to children from underrepresented minorities.


Graduate Researcher

Stone Aerospace

May 2018 - August 2018 Austin, TX - USA

Advanced the strategy of ice penetration; designed probe components; developed radiation hardening test strategies.


Graduate Teaching Assistant

MIT 2.00A - Fundamentals of Engineering Design

February 2018 - May 2018 Cambridge, MA - USA

Led laboratory sessions and notebook evaluations under Prof. Dan Frey. Teaching evaluation: 6.9 out of 7.0.


Graduate Research Assistant

MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment

September 2017 - January 2018 Cambridge, MA - USA

Studied the environmental impact of alternative fuels throughout their entire lifecycle, from crop production to fuel burn. 


Graduate Research Assistant

Polo Research Laboratories

March 2014 - August 2017 Florianopolis, SC - Brazil

Modeled and experimentally studied the formation of frost on airplane windows. Developed mitigation strategies.


Refrigeration R&D Intern

Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances

August 2013 - February 2014 Giengen an der Brenz, Germany

Optimized the efficiency and minimized the power consumption of household refrigerators with parallel evaporators.


Undergraduate Research Assistant

Polo Research Laboratories

June 2010 - August 2013 Florianopolis, SC - Brazil

Performed theoretical and experimental research on state-of-the-art refrigeration systems.


Visiting Research Student

Imperial College

January 2012 - July 2012 London - England

Developed new graphene-based nanocomposite materials; characterized and optimized the designed materials.


Undergraduate Research Assistant

Program of Tutored Education - Metrology and Automation

August 2009 - June 2010 Florianopolis, SC - Brazil

Modeled and experimented with novel techniques for measuring eye pressure and surface rugosity.


Education

Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

September 2019 - May 2022 GPA 5.0 / 5.0

Thesis: An Experimental Approach to Melt Probes for Europan Cryogenic Ice. 

Advisor: Prof. Kerri Cahoy


Planetary Science Summer School

NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Team X

May 2020 - July 2020 Thermal Engineering Lead

Ph.D. students learn to develop hypothesis-driven space exploration missions with concurrent engineering.


Master's Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

September 2017 - June 2019 GPA 5.0 / 5.0

Thesis: Folded lightweight actuated position system for CubeSat deployables. 

Advisor: Prof. Kerri Cahoy


Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering/Thermal Sciences

Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil)

March 2014 - March 2017 GPA 3.7 / 4.0

Thesis: Theoretical and experimental analysis of the water vapor deposition process on aircraft windows. 

Advisors: Prof. Claudio Melo and Prof. Jader Riso Barbosa Jr.


Bachelor's Degree in Business and Management

State University of Santa Catarina (Brazil)

March 2009 - August 2015 GPA 3.8 / 4.0

Thesis: Investment Analysis for a Condominium Administration Company.

Advisor: Prof. Oswaldo Faria de Oliveira


Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil)

March 2019 - February 2014 GPA 3.7 / 4.0 (Summa cum laude)

Thesis: Evaluation of Air Infiltration Rates in Refrigerated Compartments. 

Advisor: Prof. Claudio Melo


Publications

Published Journal Papers


Patent


Journal Papers in Preparation


Book Chapters


Conference Papers


Awarded NASA Proposals






Selected Honors and Awards





















Licenses & Certificates





Spacecraft in Space





Selected Service





Student Groups






Volunteer Work





Skills and Languages