Student Spotlight: Engineering Mechanics Junior, Andrew Rivedal

A quick conversation with Engineering Mechanics junior, Andrew Rivedal, is enough to reveal Andrew’s deep love for space. As a leader in the Wisconsin Space Program (WISP) student org, an undergrad researcher in the Laboratory of Quantum & Photonic Engineering, and a future intern at SpaceX’s Starbase, space has been a constant and defining thread throughout Andrew’s undergrad experience at UW.

What you might not expect, however, is Andrew is also a three-time State Chess Champion (with a rating of 2150 and the Candidate Master title), a lover of college basketball and football, and an enthusiastic outdoorsman. Badger engineers are known for their multifaceted passions – and Andrew exemplifies that spirit. As he wraps up his junior year, Andrew reflects on his experiences thus far and looks ahead to new opportunities. From new internships to working towards the National Master title in chess, big things are ahead for Mr. Rivedal!

What has your engineering journey been like? Did you ‘always’ want to be an engineer?

I have always had a wide variety of interests, and this has led me to a similarly wide range of dream jobs at different points in my life. Over the years, I’ve wanted to be an astronaut, a musician, a foreign language instructor, a physicist, and a professional chess player, just to name a few. When I began applying to college, I had a very difficult time narrowing down all my interests into a single path. I’ve always loved science and math, so something STEM-related made sense. Beyond that, though, I was stuck. 

It took me taking a step back to realize that engineering was the choice for me. When I finish my career and look back on what I’ve done, I will not measure my success by the number of digits in my bank account or the number of cars in my driveway. More than anything, I want to honestly say that I made a tangible difference in improving people’s lives and pushing humanity forward. Compared with other disciplines, I believe engineering offers me the best chance to utilize my skills and achieve this goal.

How did you decide to pursue a degree in Engineering Mechanics with the Aerospace Option (EMA)? Is there a specific area of EMA you are interested in? 

My calling is to advance humanity’s understanding of how and why the universe works the way it does, and from the quantum to the cosmic scale, there’s no better laboratory to test our understanding than space. To me, the Aerospace Engineering option of the Engineering Mechanics degree was the best compromise I could find between being an astrophysicist and an engineer. While I’m excited to see the introduction of the Aerospace Engineering degree, I’ll unfortunately graduate a semester too early to transfer, so I’m sticking with Engineering Mechanics. 

As you might expect, I’m most interested in a career in space-related engineering. On my current path, that would be developing propulsion systems for future solar system exploration missions. However, I would not at all be opposed to designing telescopes to study exoplanets or black holes and active galactic nuclei, for example. As long as I end up doing something related to space, I’ll be quite happy. 

Are you involved in any student organizations? If so, which ones, and what is your involvement?

Yes! I am a member of the Wisconsin Space Program (WISP), the university’s high-power rocketry team. I joined as a freshman when the club was still serving as the university’s AIAA chapter. That year, I was a member of the payload team. The following year, I led the payload team and served as club treasurer. This year, we have pivoted from solid to liquid rocketry, so I switched to being a propulsion lead. 

Overall, I’m glad I joined this club. It’s very inspiring to be surrounded by other people who are as passionate about cutting-edge space technology as I am. It doesn’t make our projects any less difficult, but being around such motivated people takes a lot of the load off your shoulders, so to speak. 

Next year, I plan to still be part of the club, but at a capacity more similar to a mentor than a full-fledged lead, as I have been. I want to make sure the younger students have agency over their own projects and gain the same level of experience as I have from this club. Besides, I want more time to do fun stuff with my friends and to play chess, of course!

Can you talk about any experience(s) you have with undergraduate research, internships, or co-ops at UW?

During my time at UW-Madison, I’ve been lucky to have experience with both undergraduate research and an (upcoming) internship. Last summer, I worked in Professor Jennifer Choy’s lab, using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectroscopy to determine the spin-coherence time of the diamond sample that flew on our rocket’s payload in 2024. While much of my research wasn’t explicitly related to my past coursework, it was a good experience, nonetheless. I quite enjoyed the pace of lab work and the freedom that comes with designing and performing your own experiments. I also learned a lot about simulation and automated data analysis, which I’ve applied to my current coursework and extracurricular projects. 

This summer, I’ll be working as a propulsion engineering intern at SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas. I’m very excited about the experience, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. It’ll be my first internship too, so I anticipate a fiendish learning curve once I’m down there. No matter how tough it turns out to be, though, I think all the delicious, authentic Mexican food will make up for it. Fingers crossed!  

What is a favorite memory or accomplishment you have from your time in EMA or at UW-Madison? 

Storming the field after our football team’s win against Washington has easily been my favorite memory at UW so far. I’m a big fan of college basketball and college football, so that was absolutely a bucket list item for me. I was at a haircut and missed the game when my hometown Marquette Golden Eagles upset #1-ranked Villanova back in 2017, so I’ve been waiting a while for another chance. Enduring this game’s near-blizzard conditions and storming the field with my friends was an unforgettable experience. 

What’s one “hidden gem” at UW-Madison that more students should know about?

While I could rave about the myriad cozy study spots on campus or the vibrant restaurants downtown, what I love most about UW-Madison are all the outdoor activities just a stone’s throw from campus. When I’m feeling stressed out from classes and need a break, nothing calms me down like a stroll or bike ride along Lakeshore Path or to Picnic Point. For those with a little more free time or biking experience, my “hidden gem” has to be the Arboretum. It’s a roughly forty-five-minute ride from my apartment through the Arboretum and back along the Southwest Commuter Path, but the trees, flowers, and wildlife are stunning, especially when the colors are changing in spring and fall.