Infusing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into mature flight software capabilities, thereby enabling advanced space system concepts such as satellite constellations, clusters and formations; rendezvous, proximity operations and capture; and robotic swarms. Initial focus is on developing autonomous planning and scheduling algorithms and flight software for distributed and networked autonomous systems, encompassing conceptual design, requirements definition, software development, simulation, testing, and V&V.

Systems Engineer at Jet Propulsion LaboratoryI worked on the WFIRST Mission which will be NASA's next large space telescope to launch after James Webb. I was a Systems Engineer on the Coronagraph instrument team at JPL, which will directly image and characterize exoplanets around other nearby stars in our galaxy.Detailed work history:(2015 – 2018) Systems Engineer and Technical Lead for Integrated Structural, Thermal, Optical Performance Modeling- Requirements development and flowdown, risk tracking, and configuration management- Define instrument requirements, interfaces, and perform trade studies- Track key performance metrics (mass, power, data rate, etc.), risk tracking and reporting- Technical Lead for integrated structural, thermal, and optical performance (STOP) modeling o Coordinate a team of diverse modeling engineers to simulate instrument performance o Responsible for workforce planning, budget, and scheduleo Lead developer for detector performance modeling and results (coded in Matlab)(2013 –2015) Systems Engineer and Thermal Analyst for Exoplanet Coronagraph Mission Study- Assist with requirements flowdown, trade studies, and configuration management.- Key participant in integrated STOP modeling- Responsible for all telescope and instrument thermal analysis(2013-2014) Payload Integration & Test Lead for the STABLE project- STABLE was a technology demo of sub-arcsecond telescope pointing from a stratospheric balloon. - Defined I&T workflow, schedule, budget, including electronics I&T, instrument bench assembly, telescope optical alignment, TVAC and EMI/C test planning, mission scenario definition, and performance testing.(2012) Integration and Test Engineer on Advanced Mirror Development (AMD) Project- Author and execute test procedures, analyze data to verify performance meets requirements- Scripting and GUI programming (in Matlab) to automate testbed startup and execution

My fellowship with Draper Laboratory provided funding for my PhD from 2008-2011. Significant accomplishments are as follows:Prototyped a planner and scheduler for automated procedures and operations onboard the International Space Station. The purpose of this research project was to study how to incorporate autonomy into daily operations on board the ISS, and was a collaboration between Draper Laboratory and United Space Alliance.Software improvements and upgrades to Draper Laboratory's in-house scripting language, called Timeliner-TLX.Explored automated code translation from Ada to C++, using the tool AdaMagic.

Developed software for cell-phone applications on Motorola and Blackberry devices. Experience programming in JavaME, bluetooth and wireless APIs.

Tested and manufactured novel piezoelectric ceramic actuators along with mentor, Dr. Robert Bryant in the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch at NASA Langley.Used LabVIEW and high-voltage test equipment to characterize the stress-strain relationship in radial-field piezoelectric diaphragms.The work has resulted in a journal publication, several conference publications, and a 2006 NASA Invention of the Year.Bryant, et. al. "Radial Field Piezoelectric Diaphragms" Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures. 2004; 15: 527-538.

Worked with a team of software and aerospace engineers who develop and maintain the Trick simulation engine for ISS proximity operations and robotics. My responsibility over the summer was to code an inverse-kinematics routine for a generic robotic trainer for Astronauts, and integrate it into the Trick simulation environment.

Learned the ins and outs of a NASA space suit; called an ECLSS, for Environmental Control and Life Support System. An ECLSS consists of air, water coolant, pressure, thermal, water, and waste systems.At this internship I gained valuable experience maintaining and repairing space suits in a clean room environment. I learned configuration management and quality assurance working with real flight hardware, including space-suit gloves and EVA spacewalk equipment. My primary responsibility was to refurbish the oxygen and water supply loops on a space-suit test stand.