As a first-generation college student at the University, Manuel Retana ’18 (mechanical engineering) stood in front of a classroom at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, sharing his story. He spoke about opportunities at the University — studying abroad, pursuing internships, even the work-study program he had landed at NASA. For Retana, it was a chance to encourage students to think about their futures.
What he didn’t realize was that someone in the audience was quietly taking it all in.
Years later, Retana, now a full-time NASA engineer, ran into Xavier Morgan, a former Rancho High student who remembered that talk. Inspired in part by Retana’s words, Morgan went on to study mechanical engineering, complete graduate school and join NASA himself. That moment marked one of the first times Retana realized the power of his story — and the responsibility that comes with inspiring others.
It also reflected a pattern in his life: drawing strength from his roots and carrying that joy forward into new spaces.
Throughout high school, Retana played in mariachi bands. “When I got to [the University] and realized there was no mariachi band, I decided to form one. I thought, ‘I’m not going to miss out on that,’” he said. Retana founded the mariachi band Lobos de Plata, “silver wolves” in English, which remains active on campus today.
That same drive carried into his academics. In 2018, Retana received the University’s La Promesa Award, honoring a graduating student who has made a significant impact on the community and is bound for graduate study. By the time he left Nevada, Retana had secured a position at NASA. He later earned a master’s degree at Stanford and took Ph.D. coursework at the University of Texas, Austin.
Retana credits his mentors for helping him get there. “UNR has top-level researchers and engineers. They wrote letters for me. They helped me apply for fellowships. Countless people helped me,” he said.
Foundation Professor of Mechanical Engineering Miles Greiner was the first to involve Retana in research. “I was very impressed with his ambition and hard work, and I use him as an example when students are considering work in aerospace,” Greiner said.
Today, Retana serves as a project manager on the NASA-led Artemis II mission, leading a team responsible for life-support and fire suppression systems — work that could mean the difference between life and death. At the time of this interview, he was preparing to present new hardware designed to filter smoke in lunar capsules in the event of a fire.
“Attending [the University] was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” Retana said without hesitation.
From inspiring high school students in Las Vegas to protecting astronauts in space, Retana’s story shows how mentorship resonates far beyond campus, reaching even the frontiers of human exploration.
Discover how Manuel’s journey reflects an overarching effort shaping Nevada’s future — and beyond.