Columbia Space Initiative
Michael Cai is an accomplished researcher currently serving as a Research Assistant at Columbia University, where responsibilities include the design and implementation of bottom illumination for neaSNOM at Basov Lab. Michael is also involved as a Student Researcher in the Astrophysics department at The University of Georgia, collaborating with Dr. Inseok to develop an interactive celestial map using Blender, and in Physics Education, partnering with Dr. Weliweriya to create 3D physics lessons. Additionally, Michael holds the position of Mission Head for the NASA Micro-g NExT Challenge at Columbia Space Initiative, focusing on a Contact Sampling Device, while also contributing as an Engineer by developing an advanced camera system for a finalist project. Previous experience includes a Research Assistant role at Georgia Institute of Technology, specializing in robotic swarm mechanics under Prof. Daniel Goldman. Michael's academic background includes studies at Columbia University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Peachtree Ridge High School.
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Columbia Space Initiative
The Columbia Space Initiative is a group of students and professors at Columbia University who are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge in near-space, space, and beyond. We come from diverse academic fields, and we are involved in competition-based engineering challenges, as well as independent technological pursuits. We take part in space-oriented outreach, and we organize speaker events and educational workshops to showcase many different aspects of the global space community. Our members are some of the most motivated individuals that our university has to offer, and have worked at places like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and SpaceX.