Dr. Olivia Borgue
Dr. Olivia Borgue is a Postdoctoral Researcher for the Space Systems Engineering research group in the Interdisciplinary Centre of Security, Reliability and Trust at the University of Luxembourg. In her current role, she is responsible for design and qualification of space systems and the implementation of new technologies and innovative mission scenarios. Her recent projects include developing ChipSats for distributed and fragmented space systems, employing model-based systems engineering for edge cutting on satellite formation and developing satellite docking mechanisms for a new generation of satellite constellations. Olivia took on her current role at the University of Luxembourg after completing her PhD in Product and Production Development at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, a doctorate she completed in only 4 years, rather than the usual 5. While completing her PhD program, she served as a member of the Systems Engineering Design research working group at the university, applied for and received multiple grants and authored 9 conference and 9 journal articles. Olivia previously completed her Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Halmstad University in Sweden and her Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Balseiro Institute in her home country of Argentina.
While working on her education, Olivia served as a Research Engineer for the National Commission of Atomic Energy in Argentina for 2 years. In that role, she developed, manufactured and tested a uranium enrichment prototype based on dye high-power lasers. Olivia was then chosen as the first civilian Argentinian woman to participate in a 1-year Antarctic campaign with a crew of 27 people. During her time at the Argentinian Antarctic Institute, she provided technical support to Antarctic projects, including IMCOAST (Impact of Climate Induced Glacial Melting on Marine Coastal Systems in the Western Antarctic Peninsula Region) and Antarctic seismology research for the Italian Argentinian seismometric network. Olivia also participated in glacier and sea expeditions and supported life-science research. For her exemplary performance and leadership on the mission, she received multiple distinctions.
Outside of work, Olivia was recently invited to join the ISO/TC 172 “Optics and Photonics”/AHG group as an expert in developing VR/AR industrial standards, and she began making contributions to the group in June 2022. She also provides research and newsletter content for the Initiative for interstellar studies (I4is) and serves as a lecturer as well. Olivia has been a guest speaker at many events focused on children’s space education, including Nätverket CESAM: Rymden for dummies!, Gothenburg’s Science Festival, the Swedish Young Researchers exhibition and Space Program, Universeum in Gothenburg, Sweden. She has also served as a scuba diver for local harbor and underwater cleaning projects and as a research volunteer at Whirly-Girls International.
