• Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2026

• Northwestern University, Aerospace Engineering, ‘27

• Host Institution: Ursa Major

Hello! My name is Barkot Simegn, and I was born and raised in Aurora, Colorado. I am a third-year mechanical engineering student at Northwestern University with a concentration in aerospace and pursuing a design certificate in Industrial Design.

My passion for engineering began in high school after taking a technology projects class where I was first exposed to CAD, 3D printing, and coding. I spent my free time modeling iconography from my favorite movies and TV shows: lightsabers, robots, spaceships, and everything in between. This helped me discover not only a love for engineering, but a love for space. Additionally, I was also the first student in my school district to graduate from community college and high school at the same time. This led me to advocate for others to have the same opportunity.

In college, I continued to explore. I had the opportunity to do research in additive manufacturing that helped me connect my passions for design, fabrication, and aerospace together. I hope I can continue to expand on what I have learned and apply it this summer.

Outside of school, I swim and teach swim lessons, have been playing saxophone for over 10 years, and I enjoy hiking. I hope being back in Colorado will give me the opportunity to climb my first 14er.

Overall, I am enthusiastic for the summer, grateful for the opportunity, and looking forward to connecting with my fellow class of 2026 Patti Grace Smith Fellows.