Hi, I’m
Yongquan Ji.

What excites me most is working with a team to turn an idea into something tangible—through brainstorming, design, prototyping, and testing.

My interest in engineering began with rocketry and propulsion, driven by the possibility of expanding human exploration through rockets and space vehicles. As Fluid Systems Lead for Rice Eclipse, I lead the development and testing of fluid systems for liquid rocket engines. I also helped design and build a portable testing rig for an active flight stabilization system, combining mechanical design, actuator controls, and electronics integration to test flight-control hardware on the ground.

Alongside aerospace, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy applying engineering to everyday needs. During my SEED internship at Rice’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, I worked on a smart pill-bottle insert to track medication dispensing and converted a 3D printer into an automated water sampler. These projects broadened my interest in product development and gave me more opportunities to connect mechanical design with programming, electronics, and hands-on testing.

Whether I’m working on a rocket system, a healthcare device, or an environmental monitoring tool, I enjoy learning unfamiliar concepts, solving problems with teammates, and refining a design based on what testing reveals. I’m always eager to learn something new, take on engineering challenges, and collaborate with people who enjoy bringing ideas to life.