MIT Triathlon’s own Abby Lee is currently a graduate student at MIT building a laser communication payload for two cubesats to test technology in orbit. But outside of the lab, you’re most likely to find her training for her next big endurance goal. Right now, that means attempting to become the youngest woman to complete an Ironman on all six inhabited continents.
Abby has always been drawn to big challenges. During undergrad, she earned her pilot’s license while studying mechanical engineering, where she focused on designing and testing high-powered rocketry and aircraft systems. At 21, she climbed Kilimanjaro and began to explore her physical capabilities.
Abby is passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation and achieving that through the work she does with the Zenith Fellowship, flying microgravity parabolas on Zero G flights with outreach experiments, or showing what’s possible when you blend STEM with real-world adventure.
These days, her main focus is on training, working in cleanrooms / laser testing areas, and finding joy in the messy overlap between science, adventure, and sheer human effort.
Abby has been fortunate to earn recognition like the Aviation Week Twenty Twenties award, be nominated for Canada’s Top 100 Women, and contribute to missions that may one day fly in orbit. She has said one of her craziest moments was flying across the country with 11 friends to run a 200-mile relay race along the California coast.
Watch Abby’s interview about her world record attempt with MIT DAPER here – https://youtu.be/qwhow4mtMeM?si=AIxulk6-Lun0KRuB
You can also follow Abby, help sponsor her goal, and learn more about her story using the following links:
IG: @a.bbyleee
Web: bit.ly/IronmanWorldRecordAttempt