Meet the 2026 KISS Affiliates
Federico Benazzo
Grad student in the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Hometown: Pavia, Italy
Date of this Interview: December 20, 2025
What do you research?
I research ultra-thin carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers for deployable space structures. I am developing manufacturing and testing techniques for large scale coilable structures to be produced both on Erath and in space.
Why does space inspire you?
The mystery and surprise behind each new discovery that we make in space is truly a motivator and driver for what I do in my research.
If you could instantly travel to any point in the universe, where would you choose to go?
I would love to visit any of the discovered Earth-like exoplanets, to see what a different starting point for Earth would have looked like after billions of years.
Where can you be found when you’re not conducting research?
I like to go on hikes or, if the weather allows, be in Mammoth for some skiing.
What book do you wish you could read for the first time again?
The foundation series from Asimov, truly an amazing set of books.
In the picture I am setting up a composite sample in our loading machine to measure the force necessary to develop a crack through the material. It is a critical step to assess the quality of the new manufacturing methods I am developing.