Kinjal Ruecker
PhD student
Energy Team
Research Interests
Kinjal loves developing new propulsion concepts, no matter the application. Her industry background is in rocket engine development where she has had 8 internships at companies including JPL, NASA, and (4x) SpaceX. Recently, Kinjal’s focus has shifted to greening engines to meet climate goals. Her research at GEAR lab focuses on developing a retrofit for diesel engines to enable combustion with both compressed hydrogen and diesel fuel. She aims to translate her research into a commercially viable product.
Kinjal has industry experience in engine turbomachinery, valves, combustion devices, and ignition.
Education
M.S. Aerospace Engineering, MIT, 2024
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech, 2021
Honors and Awards
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP), 2023
Zakhartchenko Fellowship, 2023
Knight Hennessy Finalist, 2022
MIT Graduate Fellowship, 2022
Purdue Doctoral Fellowship, 2022
Brooke Owens Fellow, c/o 2020
Top 40 Intern at NASA, 2019
Olympic-Qualified Alpine Ski Racer, Slalom, obtained 2017
Hobbies
Kinjal enjoys backpacking, skiing, flipping interior furniture/décor, and hate-watching reality tv with her cat.