#SoCaltech: Daniel Neamati

"At 5 years old, I visited JPL and stood awestruck in front of the Curiosity rover. Through grade school, I dreamed of becoming a NASA engineer. Fifteen years later, I had the opportunity to contribute to the Perseverance rover. As an intern at JPL, I worked on the sample tubes for Mars 2020. These tubes have to be exceptionally clean and precisely manufactured in order to successfully analyze the Martian rocks. This brings a whole suite of challenges across mechanical design, manufacturing, inspection, contamination control, materials science, thermodynamics, and more. I had to coordinate between these different groups to put the final touches on the sample tubes. It's mind-boggling to think that I worked on a spacecraft that is currently racing across interplanetary space and will soon land on an entirely different planet. I hope that the landing inspires everyone out there. Using the same perseverance that makes this landing possible, you can reach your goals." 

Daniel Neamati is a Caltech senior studying mechanical engineering with a minor in planetary science. He was an academic engineering intern at JPL from 2018–2019.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.