Team ⋆ The Astra Program

Meet The Team

Astra is spearheaded by an interdisciplinary team of capable youth leaders and young professionals.

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Georgi is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics)/ Bachelor of Mathematics degree at the University of Wollongong. Her interest in space stems from watching NASA Live, reading science fiction and watching movies like The Martian, which she has seen and read more times than she’d like to admit. When she graduates she wants to work on rovers and other space vehicles, and then later wants to move into the space science field where she has an interest in planetary science including planetary geochemistry and meteorology. Coming from a small country town, the Astra Program was her first exposure to the industry and she was a participant in the 2022/23 program. Georgi wants to prove there is a place in the space industry for everyone and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Sam holds a double degree in Physics (Honours) and Computer Science from the University of New South Wales. She initially pursued astronomy research, specialising in the simulation of spiral galaxies during her honours project. However, driven by the rapid growth of Australia’s space industry, she now works as a Research and Development Engineer at a space startup. Sam has a lifelong enthusiasm for science, and has tutored first year physics courses at UNSW and volunteered at the Australian Museum during National Science Week. She is excited to see where the future of space exploration leads, and how space technologies can be used to impact industry and research on Earth. Sam is also interested in science outreach, particularly for rural and regional students as she grew up in a regional area and understands the importance of inspiring and empowering students to engage with STEM fields.

Zamara is a career-driven professional with a profound passion for law and technology. Her experiences span multiple countries, including Colombia, Tanzania, and Australia, where she has developed a strong foundation in various legal roles. She is dedicated to making significant contributions that improve people’s lives. Additionally, Zamara has acquired extensive experience in public relations and policy, participating in numerous projects that have sharpened her skills in program analysis, project management, risk, and assurance. She is highly adaptable, continually eager to learn, and thrives both in team settings and independently.
Zamara has a deep passion for space exploration and currently co-leads the Policy subteam at the Space Generation Advisory Council, focusing Diversity and Gender Equality (Our Giant Leap) Project Group Co-lead. She aims to increase the involvement of people with non-STEM backgrounds in the space sector and enhance the inclusion of women and international students.

Karla holds a Bachelor of Science (Physics) from the University of Wollongong. As a lifelong lover of space, Karla first entered the Australian Space Industry through an internship with a space startup based at the National Space Industry Hub. There she learnt all about the amazing technologies within Australia and set her sights on creating a career in the growing space industry. After spending some time in consulting, she returned to the industry in her dream role as a Space Mission Analyst at another space startup. She is passionate about the sustainability and longevity of the space industry, as well as creating an inclusive and diverse environment for young professionals. As a former participant herself, she is excited to help shape the upcoming program and bring the amazing opportunities produced by Astra to other young Australians.

Anjalee is a passionate skygazer who fell in love with the starry skies when she was a kid. Over the years, she has developed a liking for Physics and completed her Bachelor of Honours in Physics. Anjalee has worked as a technical writer, creative writer, business analyst and a projects manager. She is interested in science communication and sharing science with communities – which is one of the reasons that got her into Astra. When she’s not doing anything sciencey, she likes to go beach hopping, read a good book or take long walks in the sun.

Kelly is studying a Bachelor of Aeronautical (Space) Engineering at the University of Sydney. She is working towards a career in control systems engineering in the space industry. Alongside her degree she has been a strong advocate for diversity and equity in the space sector. She is currently volunteering for the Space Generation Advisory Council as a Regional Communications Manager, where she hopes to fuel the passions of aspiring students and young professionals. Aside from all this, Kelly is a foodie at heart and she is always craving some garlic prawns.

Sepehr is completing a Bachelor of Science (Physics and Mathematics) and Master of Mathematical Sciences (Geometric Topology) from the University of Sydney. With his name, ‘Sepehr’, translating to ‘celestial sphere’, he has a natural curiosity for understanding the cosmos. This led him to pursue his Master’s to understand the foundations of theoretical physics. While pursuing this degree, he saw that the gaps between reality and science fiction lie in engineering; he is now motivated to use his skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible in aerospace technology. Recently, he worked on optical communications at ANU for contacting NASA’s Orion capsule during Artemis II, then shortly after completed the Milo Mission Academy and published a paper on autonomous robotics. Sepehr hopes to inspire confidence in Australians to grow the aerospace industry and believes the Astra program is the perfect way to pursue this goal.

Jake is an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student at Macquarie University, with interests spanning propulsion development, human spaceflight, and lunar architecture, alongside a particular focus on the intersection of business and engineering. Passionate about supporting young professionals transitioning into the industry and promoting student outreach, he aims to foster growth and development in both areas. A participant of Astra in 2023/2024 as lead editor for Team Banksia, Jake contributed to recommendations advocating for advancing Australia’s role in the space sector, an effort that earned him the Emerging Space Pioneer Award. Beyond his technical pursuits, Jake is dedicated to creating inclusive and engaging environments where teams can collaborate and grow together. To further support the development of students and their extracurricular skills, Jake founded and leads the Macquarie Aerospace Rover Society, spearheading hands-on learning and building a passion for space technologies among his peers. As a Team Coordinator, he is excited to guide participants and inspire the next wave of space enthusiasts to carve out Australia’s niche in the global space sector.

Madeleine currently holds a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot), completed in 2024, and is furthering her expertise with a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management. In 2024, she also completed the MILO Mission Academy and was personally invited to view the Trailblazer’s Preliminary Design Review at Perth CBD’s Mission Control. Prior to these achievements, she earned a Certificate II in Autonomous Workplace Operations in 2023, gaining experience in autonomy operations at Roy Hill’s Perth base. Her journey began with university studies in secondary education, majoring in English with a minor in computer science. Though her degree was paused, the experience strengthened her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, as she now pursues a career as a project manager in the space industry.

Anel is a passionate systems engineering enthusiast pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Computer Engineering at the University of New South Wales. His fascination with space, which began in early childhood through stargazing and science fiction, has evolved into a driving force in his academic and professional pursuits. Transitioning into Engineering from an established career in healthcare, Anel currently works as a safety professional in the rail transportation sector where he assesses and manages risks associated with engineering maintenance windows, ensuring the protection of both workers and critical infrastructure. A previous Operations Director with the University of Sydney Rocketry Team and a graduate of the AROSE MILO Mission Academy for Space Exploration, Anel is now working with the Sydney Interplanetary Rover Initiative as a science payload engineer and operations advisor. Driven by vision of Australia as a global leader in space exploration he aspires to leverage his multidisciplinary experience to contribute to projects that will both advance sovereign capabilities and inspire the next generation of STEM students.

A current Mechanical Engineering and Economics student at Monash University, Amy is highly interested in space technologies and exploring the space sector more broadly from a multidisciplinary perspective. She first became interested in the space sector after watching old reruns of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and following the Artemis program. She is a current active member of Monash High Power Rocketry, having been the 2024 project lead for the team’s entrant into the Australian Universities Rocket Competition. She aims to contribute to Australia’s growing aerospace industry through her career, as well as to encourage more young people to be part of this developing sector.

Meet The Team

Georgi Coddington

Sam Kirkwood

Zamara Rodriguez

Karla Vincent

Anjalee Senarath

Kelly Chen

Sepehr Saryazdi

Jake MacKenzie Wood

Madeleine Taveira

Anel Kapur

Amy Pang