Cecilia Marsicovetere Fanjul is a research assistant in the Space Enabled group, part of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She was part of the QUETZAL-1 team, contributing to the power system design of the satellite. She advises the QUETZAL-2 team, previously in her role as coordinator of the D-Hive Makerspace at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) and now remotely while pursuing a master’s degree at MIT.

Space Enabled is dedicated to researching the ways in which aerospace science and technology can contribute to development and social justice. As part of this mission, Cecilia investigates paraffin and beeswax for use as sustainable fuel in satellites and other spacecraft. She also collaborates on other microgravity research projects. She has previously held positions as a research and development engineer, data scientist, and back-end developer. She led UVG’s Women in Engineering program as part of her efforts in scientific outreach and education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Cecilia seeks to use aerospace engineering and education as a driver of social impact in Guatemala.