Margot Moy, a space engineer from Adelaide, South Australia, is heading to Rice University this fall as a Fulbright Scholar, bringing her passion for satellite operations and mission control to the heart of Houston’s space industry.
“I saw a scholarship for Rice, googled ‘Rice space,’ and found such a rich history; astronauts, Brian O’Brien, and strong ties with Johnson Space Center,” Moy said. “I thought, how has this not been on my radar?”
Moy, who has spent the past several years working in satellite operations, will pursue a Master of Science in Space Studies at Rice. She was drawn to the university’s rich history in space exploration, from President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 moonshot speech to the work of former Rice professor and lunar dust researcher Brian O’Brien. The Fulbright Scholar award came after a whirlwind application process. Moy submitted her materials in a single night, not realizing the program’s prestige or Rice’s strong Fulbright community. “Being welcomed as a Fulbright Scholar has been amazing,” she said.
With a background in mechatronic engineering and genetics, Moy is drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of Rice’s professional master’s program and its close ties with industry. She hopes to build connections in Houston’s thriving aerospace sector, with the goal of working in space operations and, ultimately, becoming a flight director.
A key attraction is the Rice Space Institute (RSI), a hub for interdisciplinary research focused on planetary habitability and sustaining human life beyond Earth, positioned to enrich her studies with immersive education and impactful outreach
“Working at NASA Johnson would be the dream,” Moy said. “Space is the future, both in a good way and a bad way, and I want to be part of such an emerging domain.”