Structure printed using Nanoscribe at Boston U
Monan Ma, PhD
MEMS Device Engineer at
Boston MicroMachines Corp.
I develop MEMS deformable mirrors for NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory, a future space telescope designed to directly image Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars. A general description is available on the NASA website here.
My work focuses on designing, modeling, and precisely measuring MEMS-based optical systems. By enabling extreme contrast and stability, this technology can help us search for signs of life on distant planets.
I earned my Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Boston University in May 2026. My doctoral work focused on experimental nonlinear nanomechanics, optical interferometry, MEMS/NEMS sensor development, and multiphysics modeling of these systems.
In summer 2025, I was a graduate intern at the Aramco Research Center in Houston, working with the Robotics and Sensors Development Team. At Aramco, I developed sensor control systems to monitor non-Newtonian drilling fluids in real time.
Select Awards
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Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award [2026]
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BUnano Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship - Two-time Awardee [2022-2023 and 2023-2024]
- BU MechE Departmental Distinguished Fellowship [2021-2022]