Meet the 2024/2025 RISE team

We are RISE, our passion is to innovate in challenging problems in rocketry and space engineering. We are based at the University of Twente and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This collaboration welcomes students from the Beta studies at the VU and the engineering studies at the UT to work together on challenging multidisciplinary projects.

Achieving circularity and sustainability pushes the space industry to unique and innovative solutions we did not dare to dream of a decade ago. With the rising number of particles in orbit and the limited resources on Earth, solutions have to be made to sustain human space activities. RISE focuses on two topics, sustainability in rocketry and active space debris removal. Project Alpha brings reusability and renewable fuel usage together in one project where the first verticle landing of a biofuel-powered will be presented. The vertical landing, or powered descent, allows for complete reusability of the rocket. With Project Clean Space the team aims to engage high school and undergrad students to collaborate in generating creative ideas in a yearly competition to tackle a rising problem, space debris. Removing floating objects in orbit and sustaining an efficient working in-space servicing system will be paramount to maintain a safe environment for satellites, rocket vehicles and astronauts.

With these projects, RISE hopes to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability in the space sector and to show STEM students the exciting challenges and new possibilities that come with them.

Join us

Management

Majed Chahwan

TEAM MANAGER
Hello! My name is Majed Chahwan, and I am a 2nd-year Industrial Engineering and Management student at the University of Twente. I first joined RISE as part of the External Affairs team and later took on the role of team manager in September 2024. I’m passionate about sustainability and love connecting with people from different backgrounds and fields of study. Leading the team has been an exciting challenge, and I’m committed to helping RISE achieve its goals through collaboration and innovation.
Adam Flak

TECHNICAL MANAGER
Hi, I’m Adam, and I'm a first-year Mechanical Engineering student currently working in the propulsion team. Even though I might be new to the university I have acquired quite a lot of experience developing and building my own experimental rockets. Rocketry has always been a passion of mine and sometimes is literally all I think all talk about (ask my friends they can’t stand me talking about rockets anymore). I have designed and built many solid rocket motors with varying success (from exploding on the test stand in my backyard to flying to 700m). I joined RISE to expand my knowledge and experience and have fun making rockets.
Theodore Syriopoulos

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Kalispera! My name is Theodoros Syriopoulos, most people guess that I am from Greece by simply reading my name... that is correct. I am a greek third year Creative Technology Student at the University of Twente, and in parallel to my studies I am also a Resercher at the Robotics Department of Saxion. It is an honor to be part of probably the most diverse and multi-national student-team of Holland. The qualities I value the most as Communications Manager are; organization, transparency and thinking outside the box.
Lucas Cuervo Radel

EXTERNAL & FINANCIAL MANAGER
I’m Lucas, the new External Affairs Manager. While my background is in Industrial Engineering and Management, I’ve always had a strong interest in space exploration and hands-on engineering. Our world is advancing rapidly, which is a good thing, but we still haven’t achieved the most important goal: becoming multiplanetary. There is still a lot of work to do, but at RISE we’re starting by improving the Aerospace industry in The Netherlands by focusing on a sustainable approach. From my part, I’ll make sure to find the best partnerships so that we can bring forward a new age of space exploration, this time in Europe. “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” (Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov)
Anna Maria Panteli

FINANCIAL MANAGER
Hi! I’m Anna Maria Panteli, currently in my third year of studying Civil Engineering at the University of Twente. I’ve recently stepped into the role of Finance Manager at RISE, a position that lets me blend my passion for organization with the excitement of working on cutting-edge technology. At RISE, I oversee our financial planning, making sure that every cent spent helps us move closer to our ambitious goals. It’s a role that keeps me on my toes—whether it’s managing budgets or making decisions that support the team’s innovation. I’m inspired by the dedication and sustainable vision at RISE, and I look forward to helping the team thrive both financially and as a trendsetter in sustainable rocketry. I can’t wait to see the incredible things we achieve together!