Meet the Leadership Team!

Get to know the team behind our operations!

President

Brigid Duffy

MechE C/O 2026

I’m going into my senior year of mechanical engineering with a minor in engineering management and pursuing the certificate in aerospace engineering. I’ve been on the team since my freshman year and have previously been on the Recovery team. This past summer, I worked as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern for Analog Devices Aerospace and Defense. I enjoy reading and running in my free time and my favorite move is Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

bkduffy@umass.edu

Structures Lead

Andrey Sorokin

MechE C/O 2026

I am the Structures Subteam Lead, and a senior studying Mechanical Engineering. I have experience in aerospace composites and am currently conducting an independent study in computational fluid dynamics. In my free time, I enjoy long-distance running and competing in the UMass running and triathlon clubs.

asorokin@umass.edu

Recovery Lead

Andrew Magner

MechE + CS C/O 2027

I’m Andrew Magner, the 2026 Recovery Lead for the UMass Rocket Team. I focus on designing, testing, and integrating the dual-deployment recovery systems and the vehicle avionics of our high-powered rockets. I am extremely passionate about aerospace and controls engineering, with the goal of one day pursuing a career in the space industry after graduation.

amagner@umass.edu

Payload Lead

Preet Shah

CompE C/O 2027

I joined the Rocket Team out of my longstanding passion for aerospace engineering and a desire for hands-on experience. Being part of this incredible group of engineers allows me to collaborate, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. I’ve created wonderful memories and experienced some of my best moments in college with this team, and I’m genuinely excited for what lies ahead!

Fun Fact: I have gone skydiving before!

preetshah@umass.edu

Flight Dynamics Officer

Nate Hanaghan

I am a second-year mechanical engineering major. When I'm not in class or building rockets, I enjoy playing volleyball, guitar, and grappling with federal arms trafficking regulations.

nhanaghan@umass.edu

MechE C/O 2028

Safety Officer

Nate Judge

MechE C/O 2026

I’m a senior mechanical engineer with an interest in aerospace. I am hoping to eventually work with rocket propulsion when I am done with school. Outside of engineering I love building legos and I have all of the official NASA LEGO sets

njudge@umass.edu

Safety Deputy Officer

Iris Chen

EE C/O 2027

I'm a junior in computer engineering and this is my third year on the rocket team. I'm a member of the payload subteam and mainly work on programming and electronics. I'm also double majoring in linguistics, and in my free time I like playing piano, collecting iNaturalist observations, and bouldering!

irichen@umass.edu

Treasurer

Rosie Harrison

MechE C/O 2028

My name is Rosie and I am a sophomore studying mechanical engineering and pursuing an aerospace certificate. I am also a DJ on the student radio and work at the ADDFab 3D printing lab here on campus!

rbharrison@umass.edu

Outreach

Coordinator

Trinity Carl

I am a senior (or 4th year) mechanical engineering major. Outside of participating on rocket team, leading UMass AIAA, or doing classwork, I enjoy doing ballet, singing, cooking, and hiking.

tcarl@umass.edu

MechE C/O 2026

Social Media

Coordinator

Laila Jackson

My name is Laila Jackson and I am a senior Mechanical Engineering major. This is my fourth year on the team and I am the team social media major and a member of the Structures subteam.

lajackson@umass.edu

MechE C/O 2026

Secretary

Priyanka Suresh

CompE C/O 2027

I am a junior compE major on the payload subteam. This is my second year on the team. Outside of Rocket Team, I am the VP of Society of Women Engineers as well as a staff-member at M5. I love going to the gym, dance, coffee and gilmore girls!

psuresh@umass.edu