Kaila Coimbra

Kaila Coimbra, from San Diego, California, is pursuing a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford School of Engineering. She graduated from Caltech in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in aerospace engineering. Kaila aspires to design and deploy mission-critical technologies for future waves of space exploration. She is particularly interested in the cislunar environment and fostering a permanent human presence on the moon. At Caltech, Kaila conducted research in molecular diffusion, chiral metamaterials, and cislunar satellite technology. She was a member of the executive committee of the Caltech American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student branch, where she co-founded the Caltech Air and Outer Space student-led organization. She was also a finalist in both the 2021 and 2022 NASA BIG Idea Challenges. Kaila is the 2022 recipient of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics David and Catherine Thompson Space Technology Scholarship Award.