Young Professionals

Alex McDougall-Page is an emerging professional in space, pursuing an Integrated Master’s degree in Aero-Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. They are gaining industry experience as an intern at Airbus Defense and Space in the Quality Assurance department. Alex has been involved in various initiatives, including founding Human Powered Flight Strathclyde (HPFStrath) and mentoring outreach programs. They have also worked at AAC Clyde Space on CubeSat projects. Alex aspires to roles such as Flight Director and Astronaut, driven by a vision of humanity becoming an interplanetary species

Ashley Sofocleous is completing a postgraduate master’s degree in Space Science and Engineering at University College London. He previously obtained a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Nottingham and is a chartered accountant. Ashley worked at the Satellite Applications Catapult and attended an Introduction to Space Law course at ESA Academy. He will soon join the space team of an economic consultancy in London, advising on space policy and market analysis.

Daniel Wischert holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Stuttgart. He is a Systems Engineer and Team Leader at the European Space Agency’s Concurrent Design Facility, focusing on future space missions and spacecraft concepts. Daniel supports ESA’s Clean Space office in developing technology and standards for space debris reduction. He is an active member of SGAC, co-leading the Small Satellites Project Group, and enjoys outdoor activities in his free time.

Kasibante David Muyinza is a lawyer and space policy analyst from Uganda. He leads Space4Tomorrow, mentoring space enthusiasts and young professionals. David has worked with the Ugandan government to promote youth involvement in space sciences and policy. He is the African Regional Coordinator at SGAC and has delivered public lectures on space resources and technology. David aims to realize the space potential of his country and region.

Joseph Whiley is a Master’s student at Cranfield University, specializing in Astronautics and Space Engineering. He recently achieved a BSc in Physics at Nottingham University. Joseph is passionate about space propulsion engineering and sustainability. His Master’s thesis focuses on the implementation of an expander fuel cycle into an aerospike engine design. Joseph aims to make space accessible to everyone and contribute to the future of space exploration.

Muazzaz Mausoom is the Learning and Capacity Building Lead at the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO). He has a background in aerospace engineering and previously lectured at Villa College. Muazzaz joined SGAC in 2024 and participated in the Asia Pacific Space Generation Workshop. He plays a key role in building a community of citizen scientists and laying the foundations for a Maldivian space industry.

Rachel Forster is a business development lead and project engineer at Exotopic, a UK innovation consultancy. She holds a degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Glasgow. Rachel has supported over 50 space SMEs and research institutions, helping them commercialize innovative technologies. She leads government-funded programs and advocates for more girls to pursue careers in space. Rachel is dedicated to addressing the challenges of space sustainability.

Ruth Jebet is a computer science graduate from Moi University with a passion for creating user-friendly interfaces and space exploration. She participated in the Space Challenges Bootcamp and won the Africa Space Leader Award in 2023. Ruth is active in hackathons and developer communities, contributing to SGAC and Google developer groups. She is involved in organizing the AF-SGW workshop and is dedicated to staying current with the latest technologies.