Derric Loya
Hey, my name is Derric Loya and I am a first-year PhD student in the Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences department at CU Boulder. I earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science (2022) and Physics (2025) from Colorado Mesa University. As an undergraduate, outside of academics, I enjoyed helping run my family’s peach and almond orchard store in Palisade, Colorado.
My research focuses on advancing human exploration beyond Earth through innovative instrumentation. I have been involved in designing a rotorcraft mission concept to explore Mars, a project that began during my 2024 Research Experience for Undergraduates at the SETI Institute under Dr. Pascal Lee. Since then, I have presented this work at the 2025 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference and the International Space Development Conference. In the summer of 2025, I contributed to a Mars rotorcraft feasibility study with the NASA Ames Mission Design Center under the mentorship of Dr. Alan Cassell, developing a climate data visualization tool to support mission planning.
I’m always interested in connecting with others who are passionate about the pursuit of knowledge and the stars—please feel free to reach out!
Nighthawk (Mars Rotorcraft Mission Concept Conference Abstracts):
https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2025/pdf/1662.pdf