Evan Lerner is an adjunct professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University. He leads Commercial Business Development at Exotrail US, is the founder and director of Empire Space, and serves as a Venture Partner at AIN Ventures focused on space startups. His professional experience spans multiple organizations across the space and aerospace sectors, with roles in aerospace and systems engineering, strategy, product development, operations, and commercialization. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan and teaches Aerospace Engineering Design and Prototyping for Aerospace Products.