WHO WE ARE

The RDL's goal is to aid students' education, provide opportunities, and spark interest in rocketry.

We approach this by engaging in projects, research, and testing.

This website was made by the Website Design Team under the guidance of the Social Media Team.

  • Andy Gerrick

    FACULTY MENTOR

    Professor Gerrick had served as Embry-Riddle’s Mechanical Engineering Department Chair and is vital to the success in the Rocket Development Lab.

    You can read more about him here.

  • Dr Neil Sullivan

    FACULTY MENTOR

    Dr. Sullivan is a newer Mechanical Engineering faculty member. He completed his graduate research on fluid mechanics and heat transfer to supercritical fluids, with applications to thermal management of propulsion devices. He has been a Rocket Development Lab faculty mentor since the Fall of 2021.

    You can read more about him here.

Meet Our Leadership

  • Nathan Fritz

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Nathan is majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in robotics, class of 2026. He also is minoring in electrical engineering and systems engineering. He serves as the Board of Campus Activities Secetary, as well as the Eagle Robotics President.

    Contact Me

  • Julia Payne

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Julia is majoring in mechanical engineering with a focus in propulsion, class of 2026. She leads the Website Design Team and is developing the hybrid propulsion testing program. She currently is working at Rocket Lab USA as a Neutron Propulsion Intern.

    Contact Me

  • Krishna Anand

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Krishna is majoring in aerospace engineering with a concentration in astronautics, class of 2024. He is a Mix Master and leads Project Pathfinder. He also worked on EagleSat 2 and completed an internship at Titan Engineering in India.

    Contact Me

  • Cody Hawes

    CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICER

    Cody is majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in propulsion, class of 2026. He also leads the Website Design Team. He serves as Chief Financial Officer for Horizons Newspaper.

    Contact Me

  • ALEXIS ROHRKE

    CHIEF SAFETY EXECUTIVE

    Alexis is majoring in aerospace engineering with a concentration in astronautics, class of 2025. She leads Project Perseus and is the Safety Officer for the RDL’s Technical Committee. She recently completed an internship at Nasa.

    Contact Me