Aerospace Engineering Scholar: Where the Sky is Only the Beginning

After earning her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering while conducting research for about five years, Perla Latorre-Suarez (’27) came to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering.

Through captivating discussions and guidance received from her advisor Dr. Seetha Raghavan, Perla arranged a time to visit the Daytona Beach Campus and realized the opportunities Embry-Riddle could provide. She said, “During my visit, I was welcomed by the dean and other professors. I learned enough about the quality of the education offered at the university that I decided to continue with my Ph.D. at Embry-Riddle.”

Perla now conducts research— analyzing materials to protect space structures during lunar exploration— under Dr. Seetha Raghavan’s mentorship.

Journey Into STEM

Perla's childhood was spent in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, a small town with minimal light pollution. One of her earliest recollections revolves around her parents, who would bring Perla and her brother into the backyard to catch a glimpse of the International Space Station (ISS), also called 'the moving space' within her family.

“From all these memories, I always said I wanted to be the first female astronaut from Puerto Rico. However, with time, I learned that I could contribute from a different perspective,” she remembered. “Growing up, I always wanted to share my knowledge with others and learn from them.”

Perla attributes her drive to advance in the industry to her background. “My mother is a teacher,” she shared. “She inspires me every day to give back to the world... My father was in the military and always exposed me to technology and explained the importance of its evolution.”

Motivated by her passion for teaching and her curiosity for scientific advancements, Perla embarked on a journey in the world of STEM. Despite not having exposure to STEM activities as a child, she gained valuable insights into career paths she could pursue after graduating high school. It became evident that engineering best aligned with her early aspirations and interests.

Beyond the Classroom

After completing her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Perla participated in the X-Force fellowship by the National Security Innovation Network, where she worked with the Army Research Lab. She also completed an internship at NASA Langley Research Center and joined a program at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) under the National Science Foundation (NSF).

“Although my journey has not been perfect or smooth, I have had some great achievements. In 2022, I was named as one of the best graduate students around the world at the 20 Twenties by the Aviation Week Magazine,” she shared. “I have been able to complete research collaboration along with NASA, DLR and the Argonne National Laboratory... I also had the opportunity to present my research at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris!”

This past year, Perla won two awards presented by the NASA Office of STEM Engagement in partnership with the International Space Education Board to present her research at the IAC in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Shaping the Future

Perla is on a mission to educate and gain knowledge through research collaborations to further space exploration and to serve as a source of inspiration for upcoming generations.

“I always asked myself if there were people like me in my field... always wondered if it was possible for me to make it all the way through and be successful,” she reflected. “Once I started to learn, explore and experience the field, I understood that nothing is impossible.”

Driven by her impressive academic achievements and rich industry background, Perla created an engaging Instagram profile called pearls.inspace. The platform allows her to share her journey as an aerospace graduate while also serving as a catalyst for motivating future generations to chase their dreams and accomplish their goals.

“After people started reaching out to me and asking for advice, I decided to create an Instagram page. I wanted to inspire girls like me and motivate them to pursue their dreams, whether they are in STEM or not,” she smiled. “I created the page thinking about the young girls in Puerto Rico and then thought about expanding it... Most of my content is in English, but I have always considered to having it bilingual (maybe in the near future).”

Social media has enabled her to showcase her academic accomplishments and inspire the younger generations to relentlessly pursue their dreams and learn beyond their own expectations.

“My goal is to engage other people, to help them to see the world from a different perspective and to keep in mind that when you have a goal, you have to create your path and accept the challenges,” she said. “Goals can be accomplished, and the sky has never been the limit.”

Unlocking Success

As Perla continues her research to further space exploration and learn from the technological development in the STEM field, she offers a piece of advice for future students of Embry-Riddle.

“Ask questions and it’s okay to be shy... Share your knowledge and be open to teaching others and learn from them,” she said. “Make as many friends as possible and connect with people that are not related to your field; you never know what you can benefit from their knowledge!”

Are you ready to launch your future? Apply at Embry-Riddle today.