Dorcas Kaweesa, PhD

"Invest your time right now."

Dorcas Kaweesa, PhD works at NASA Ames Research Center in the Aeromechanics Office as a Structural Analysis Engineer for the JPL/Ames Mars Science Helicopter (MSH) Project as part of the Mars Exploration Program. She also conducts research that supports advanced vertical takeoff and landing aircraft technology development by analyzing rotor performance using computational tools.

Dr. Kaweesa earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University in 2022. Her research centered on the concept of material complexity within the field of design for multi-material additive manufacturing particularly seeking to understand whether the mechanical behavior of composite materials can be predicted considering custom voxel-based microstructural designs and macroscopic interfacial analyses. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon in 2015 and a Master of Science degree also in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State University in 2017.

During her time at Penn State University, Dr. Kaweesa played a significant role in the Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion and the Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association (MEGA) as a pioneer, leader, mentor, and advocate for underrepresented minority students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She remains dedicated to mentoring and supporting the youth and students in her community by volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, Spark Bay Area, and her alma maters.