NIKKI BERNUY HERQUINIGO
Matthew Isakowitz Fellow, Class of 2024
Colorado School of Mines, Additive Manufacturing M.S.N.T
Colorado School of Mines, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Host Company: Gravitics
Nikki Bernuy Herquinigo is a first-year graduate student at Colorado School of Mines studying Additive Manufacturing (AM). After completing her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Mines, she interned at Blue Origin working on the Engines Additive Manufacturing Materials and Processes Team. During her time at Blue, Nikki organized project plans to innovate solutions for proprietary engine AM component processes. This unlocked a new interest, Material Science, which is an area she’ll focus on during graduate school. Nikki has pursued her passion for human spaceflight through university space competitions like NASA Big Idea Challenge and NASA Lunabotics. She met subject matter experts in these yearlong projects which inspired her to join her college’s American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) board chapter. Nikki became a board member sophomore year of undergrad and President senior year. Nikki aims to make human spaceflight safer and more routine for the benefit of Earth. She hopes to be a pioneer in industrializing AM applications for rocket engines, future space stations, or even lunar bases later in her career. Outside of school/work, Nikki enjoys hiking, dancing Lindy Hop, longboarding, and reading Spanish articles during her free time.