Scott MacKay ’76, met with three cadets participating in Draper’s summer intern program at its facility in Cambridge, Mass. MacKay is a member of the board of directors of The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and a 50-Year Affiliate for the Class of 2026. 

MacKay met with Cadets Broc Gilland ’26, Reid Wesley ’26, and Gikonyo Njendu ’26, who spent the summer working with Draper scientists to gain hands-on experience with the lab’s research and development efforts in several areas. CDT Gilland, a chemical engineering major, worked on data analysis and a literature review of microthrusters, which allow in-orbit satellite stabilization and movement without expending large thruster propellant. CDT Wesley, a computer science major, worked on methodologies for integrating AI with an organization’s systems to optimize enterprise workflows in the context of achieving desired business results. CDT Njendu, also a computer science major, worked to develop a model context protocol tool function that leverages large language models to perform software verification via linear temporal logic.

Margin of Excellence opportunities like these are possible, thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies’ commitment to expanding and enhancing the Technical Scholars Program into a year-round, comprehensive experience.