Leanne Su, PhD
Postdoc at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Graduate from the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory.
About Me
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Naval Research Laboratory in the Spacecraft Engineering division, focusing on Hall thruster operation with molecular propellants. Beyond my research work, I am strongly involved in diversity and outreach efforts. Outside of the lab I enjoy crafting, swimming, and taking cursed pictures of my cat Pudge.
Latest News
I'm publishing a novel!! Peri Peri Paprika is a cozy little sci-fi romp about a space janitor and her janitor spaceship's janitor. It'll be released at Ann Arbor's Bookfest on Nov 3, hosted by my lovely publisher, Fifth Avenue Press. I'm also taking pre-orders for it here. So excited to have this out in the world!
Education
University of Michigan: Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, 2023
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, 2018-2021
William W. Willmarth Research Prize in Aerospace Engineering for Outstanding Experimental Ph.D., 2023
Rackham Graduate School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Recipient, 2022
Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering Fellow, 2020
Graduated September 2023
University of Washington: Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 2018
Minor in Diversity
Graduated June 2018
Experience
Naval Research Laboratory: Spacecraft Engineering Division Postdoctoral Researcher
National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Fellow
February 2024 - Present
Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory: Graduate Student Research Assistant
August 2018 - October 2023
Jet Propulsion Laboratories: Electric Propulsion Group Intern
July 2022 - September 2022
Caltech Space Challenge 2022: Titan Sample Return Mission
Member of the winning Team Voyager, March 2022
Fusion Z-Pinch Experiment: Undergraduate Research Assistant
April 2015 - June 2018
Aerojet Rocketdyne: Electric Propulsion Project Engineering Intern
June 2017 - September 2017
Eagle Harbor Technologies: Plasma Research Intern
June 2016 - September 2016
