Sciences and Exploration Directorate - Early Career Spotlight

Early Career Scientist Spotlights ("ECSS")

Early Career Scientist Spotlight ("ECSS") articles showcase the early career scientists working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The ECSS articles are intended to highlight the research interests, science motivations, and achievements of the early career scientist community, and are a great way to learn a bit about some of the wonderful and interesting people working at Goddard!

If you would like to nominate a GSFC early career scientist to be featured in a future ECSS article, please contact Danielle Simkus, Jenna Cann, Ross Silver, or any of our NGAPS+ officers.

Ameni Mkaouar

Remote Sensing Scientist

"Joining NASA Goddard has allowed me to apply my skills to meaningful research while contributing to important Earth science initiatives in an environment that values scientific excellence."

Ferris Bosworth

Planetary Scientist

"A basic understanding of coding and learning how to best look up solutions to issues are probably the most useful skills I've developed. If you can write a simple python script and know how to word your questions, you can achieve anything."

Ritika Prasai

Data Scientist and Software Developer

"When the opportunity at NASA Goddard arose, I knew I was not only ready but uniquely prepared to offer a fresh perspective and a passion for research that aligned with their mission."

Sumit Dahal

Observational Cosmologist

"It's mind-blowing that while we, as humans, occupy an infinitesimally small place in this vast universe, we've developed tools capable of looking back in time to witness the formation of the very first elements."

Annika Jersild

Oceanographer

"It's a special kind of challenge to dive deeply into a complex specialization, understand all the little parts, and then package it in a way that the community can interpret and use the results, and I really enjoy that challenge."

Charissa Campbell

Planetary Atmospheric Scientist

"I know that she would be so happy and proud of me, and so she is the biggest inspiration to me to keep going and spread the amazing memories I have with her."

Kelly Whalen

Extragalactic Astrophysicist

"If a five-minute conversation about the cosmos is enough to pique someone's interest in science as a whole for the first time, it was a five-minute block of time well-spent."

Sang-Yun Lee

Space Physicist

"This transition—from abstract equations to tangible, visual results—was a pivotal moment for me. It marked the beginning of my research journey in computational modeling."

Akash Ashapure

Remote Sensing Scientist

"Being part of a project with such a tangible, real-world impact on both people and the planet is truly exciting."

Rachel Maxwell

Planetary Magnetist

"I owe a lot of my perseverance in science to the people who mentored me and supported me on my journey, and I enjoy passing on that same care to others who are starting out on their own journeys."

Samriddhi Maity

Astrophysicist

"It's those moments when everything falls into place that make the long and sometimes arduous research process so rewarding."

Vera Delfavero

Gravitational Wave Astrophysicist

"I look forward to the next stages of my career where I aim to guide others and form a research group as a professor at a university."

Amber Young

Astrobiologist

"Finishing my PhD had a lasting effect that has helped me be proud of who I am and look back to acknowledge everything I’ve accomplished. "

Janeth Valverde

Astroparticle Physicist

"Gamma rays are the most energetic form of light and are relatively difficult to produce. Our ability to explain their production is stretched to its limits!"

Min-Yang Chou

Space Scientist

"The most attractive part of being a scientist for me is the opportunity to travel around the world to attend scientific conferences, present your research, meet different people, and experience different cultures. Without being a scientist, I would not have had the chance to work in the United States."

Wanshu Nie

Hydroclimate Scientist

"I’ve always been fascinated by how human activities interact with our planet, and I’m grateful that my work focuses on the climate and environmental aspects of these interactions."

Skye Caplan

Remote Sensing Scientist

"[My advisor] taught me that the most important thing in searching for a career, especially a scientific one, is real interest. It turns out that you tend to rise to the challenge of hard calculations and lab work when you're invested in the material you're researching."

Benjamin Farcy

Planetary Geochemist

"Just being able to show ourselves that we still have that muscle memory, and that we get to relive that experience of seeing humans on the lunar surface, is going to be such a special event."

Christopher Krier

Atmospheric Physicist

"The awe-inspiring natural phenomenon…, as well as the societal consequences of this field of physics…, really captivated me as a student."

Isabella Carlton

Astrophysicist

"I feel strongly about making physics and astronomy more accessible to everyone – especially minorities. Women are notoriously underrepresented in STEM fields, even though we are half of the population. I hope to be an inspiring figure to future generations as I strive to make astronomy more inclusive and accessible."

Dibyendu Sur

Space-Weather Scientist

"The observatory [at UC, Boulder] has a public telescope viewing event every Friday night. With weather permitting, they show stars and planets through telescopes. I went almost every week, and this connects me with stars and planets and gave me motivation to do more in space weather and planetary research."

Eleonora Castelli

Gravitational Astrophysicist

"One of my favorite aspects of working at NASA is the immense variety of knowledge you come across every day, in every field of science and engineering. I keep learning new things just by chatting with people during coffee break or lunch! The breadth of the research experiences you come across at NASA is difficult to match anywhere else."

Holly Mallinson

Atmospheric Scientist

"The interactions between microphysics and storm dynamics play a major role in determining storm properties but are not well understood or well represented in numerical weather and climate models. A better understanding of these processes can lead to improvements in the prediction of severe storms and their hazards."

Ashraf Dhahbi

Planetary Scientist

"I discovered that math and physics get a lot weirder and more interesting in extreme astrophysical environments."

Ari Koeppel

Planetary Thermodynamicist

"By studying other systems like Mars, we can place the happenings of our planet in a broader context and help gauge the uniqueness of life in the universe."

Amethyst Barnes

Astrophysicist

"Having optimism in this field is also important. If things seem like they’re not working out or your code isn’t working the way it should, it’s important to be optimistic and tell yourself to keep trying and not get too discouraged. It will work out in the end!"

Jaewoong Jung

Space Physicist

"[S]pace physics is not only an important scientific discipline but also a practical one, contributing to the resilience of our modern society in the face of potential solar threats."

Kristen Whitney

Hydroclimate Scientist

"Follow your curiosity diligently, and you'll discover paths you never imagined."

Kristen Garofali

High-Energy Astrophysicist

"It was really exciting to be part of a new discovery, 20 years into Chandra’s lifetime!"

Aleks Gawronska

Lunar Petrologist

"I continue to be excited by the information that can be gathered by studying igneous rocks like basalt in great detail, and I love how that process can be used to learn about rocky bodies in our Solar System."

Fernando Carcaboso Morales

Heliophysicist

"There are always things to learn, and continuous learning is my ultimate goal."

Allison Chartrand

Glaciologist

"The best days are when I fix that final bug in the code, then let it run, resulting in a plot that tells us something new or confirms a hypothesis about the ice."

Francois Mernier

Observational Astronomer

"I believe that curiosity is THE most important quality for an astronomer. All the other necessary qualities (motivation, perseverance, knowledge of math and physics) result from great curiosity, in one way or another."

Angel Mojarro

Organic Geochemist

"I am very proud of this work because, with help and encouragement from my supervisors, I was able to go outside my wheelhouse to put something special together."

Tre'Shunda James

Space Physicist

"For the first time, I got to experience what it was like to be a scientist and what real world problems physicists, like me, could tackle."

Caterina Mogno

Atmospheric Scientist

"Being part of the NASA Earth Sciences Division community working together to advance the science of climate change as well as its applications for the benefit of society, really keeps me motivated and inspired in my everyday work."

Li Hsia Yeo

Extraterrestrial Samples Experimentalist

"Nature does what nature does, and it is up to the scientist to make good sense and use of the data. That thought has stuck with me ever since, and has motivated me to continue to work to understand systems that at times can seem infinitely complex."

Ross Silver

Astrophysicist

"I think most people tend to think the light we see is all the light that exists. I wish that people knew about the entire electromagnetic spectrum and that visible light is only a very small part!"

Melissa Wrzesien

Hydrologist

"Combining fine spatial resolution with large geographical domains can result in memory-intensive simulations, which have sometimes been beyond what our current model framework is designed for. It’s been a fun challenge to make model updates that allow for such advancements."

Megha Pandya

Space Physicist

"While the controlled environment of lab plasma is undeniably intriguing, I was totally mesmerized to imagine how fascinating the naturally occurring plasma in space could be."

Vincent Kofman

Research Scientist

"What really drives my research and motivates me is learning something new in a project. This can be theoretical or practical, but that’s one thing that I’ll keep pursuing!"

Erin Dawkins

Atmospheric Scientist

"Often you only realize how much progress you have made in retrospect, but I think learning to become comfortable with being uncomfortable and out of your element is how personal progress and growth is achieved."

Mainak Singha

Astrophysicist

"If we could easily explain everything about the universe, it would be a lot less exciting. I'm in this for the adventure, the thrill of uncovering the unknown, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Robert Emberson

Geomorphologist

"Knowing that my work was being put to use for the benefit of vulnerable people remains one of my proudest moments, and I strive to repeat that in other work."

Joe Finlon

Cloud Microphysicist

"There are times when I sit back and marvel at what we’re able to accomplish in these field campaigns, while also acknowledging all that we still have to learn about the interaction between clouds and our climate."

Noah Tuchow

Astronomer

"I’m working with a team of scientists to lay the groundwork for what will hopefully be the next big NASA mission."

Atul Mohan

Solar and Stellar Physicist

"I think success is…knowing what you really want, without anyone watching or judging you, and then working towards that which gives you fulfillment and meaning."

Jay Vaidya

Planetary Atmospheric Scientist

Cheng Da

Data Assimilation Scientist

"I have always felt that [the Global Precipitation Measurement] is my lucky satellite that brings me good fortune, so in the Acknowledgements section of my Ph.D. Dissertation, I sent my sincere wish to GPM, 'May it last long and prosper.'"

David Burtt

Isotope Geochemist

"In my mind, two of the most existential questions we face as a species are 'how did life begin on Earth?' and 'does life exist beyond Earth?'"

Jordan Forman

Astrophysicist

"I remember finding books in the library about the Solar System, black holes, stars, and planets, and I even wrote one of my first research papers in elementary school about supernovae."

Tracy Esman

Planetary Scientist

"It's fascinating to get a look at how other scientists think and how their different passions and perspectives can lead to very different questions and ideas."

Abheera Hazra

Climate and Hydro Scientist

"Embrace the learning process, as it will bring you valuable experiences and knowledge that will contribute to your growth."

Nicholas Cothard

Observational Cosmologist

"[T]rying as many opportunities as possible is great because it exposes you to a bunch of different perspectives on how science works and it may lead to finding a great mentor, or maybe even your dream research field."

Jacopo Terragni

Physicist

"Exoplanets are one of the most captivating subjects in space science, and I find immense joy in the thought that my work can play a role in expanding our understanding of these celestial bodies."

Nat Mathews

Computational Mathematician

"We want to know what the magnetic field is like inside the Sun, but it is impossible to go in and measure it. In working on that problem, I fell in love with solar physics."

Anshu Kumari

Radio-Instrument Scientist

"The diverse experiences, collaborations, and research environments have broadened my horizons and enriched my perspective. Each chapter of my research journey has been filled with challenges, growth, and moments of pure inspiration."

Weston Anderson

Agroclimatologist

"What initially hooked me on scientific research was an ability to be creative. In scientific research, you are asked to explore uncharted territory without a road map."

Lynnae Quick

Ocean Worlds Planetary Scientist

"I think it's very important to reach back and mentor the next generation and give them opportunities the way others did for me."

Sarah Gossan

Computational Astrophysicist

"When I stood on that stage and was hooded, it was a testament not only to my academic achievement, but also to my tenacity and determination."

Aimee Neeley

Bio-Optical Oceanographer

"… I saw the most majestic, pristine landscapes and unique animals on the planet. My visits to these places spurred my appreciation and fondness of the polar regions."

Alexander Michels

Computational Geophysicist

"My first big research achievement was when I followed my intuition and proved myself wrong."

Daniel Violette

High-Energy Astrophysicist

"My favorite type of moment happens after many hours of hard work designing, building, and programming hardware systems, when I watch them spring to life and return data for the first time. It’s such a gratifying moment!"

Alison Farrish

Heliophysicist

"I am still learning ways to present my work to different audiences in the exoplanet science and heliophysics communities, and that variety in communication styles has kept the work interesting and challenging."

Caitlin Ahrens

Planetary Geologist

"There is ... inspiration in knowing that field work or management work can lead to exciting opportunities in instrument or mission planning in the future."

Guoqing Wang

Oceanographer

"The natural water body is more than just water molecules. It holds many visible and invisible, dissolved and suspended matters in it."

Maryam Rahmani

Spectroscopist

"Tenacity is yet another trait that I rely on regularly in my work. It is an attribute that enables me to tackle and complete even the most difficult tasks."

Denny Oliveira

Space Physicist

"Space weather refers to the conditions in space that can affect Earth and its technological systems ... I think the general public should know more about space weather because conditions in space can affect everyone’s life in many ways."

Brent McBride

Instrument Scientist

"I didn’t realize it at the time, but supporting the development of an Earth-observing satellite was a poetic merge of what my 5th grade self had in mind all along."

Shanwlee Sow Mondal

Solar Physicist

"The best part of being a researcher is that you never give up on delving deeply into the problem at hand, and this chase is always more fun than the price."

Gabriella Weiss

Isotope Geochemist

"I immediately became fascinated by isotopes as a scientific tool and I saw how their use would help me connect my cultural and scientific curiosity."

Isiah Holt

Astronomer

"When I received an offer from the Astrophysics Division... I was so shocked that what I thought was only a dream had actually come true right before me."

Ramin Lolachi

Planetary Scientist

"Growing up I would read, with fascination, the accounts of planetary probes like Voyager, Venera, and Viking visiting other worlds and exploring them in astronomy books. From that point I was hooked."

Nina Crnivec

Atmospheric Scientist

"Clouds are beautiful and ubiquitous in the sky, yet their diversity and multi-scale nature make it extremely difficult to properly represent them in weather and climate models."

Daniel da Silva

Space Physicist

"It’s funny how a lot of people know that the solar wind exists, but they also are under the impression that the space between the planets is 100% empty of matter. How can both be true?"

Erin Boettcher

Observational Astronomer

"I enjoy being in the dynamic environment that GSFC offers; it’s motivating to hear about how other people are tackling diverse and challenging science questions that are different from the questions I think about on a daily basis."

Taylor Hutchison

Astrophysicist

"After my first night observing on the campus research telescope, I was hooked.... The night sky was a different kind of hidden, mysterious thing to marvel at – and since then, I’ve never looked back."

Olivia Wilkins

Astrochemist

"Apply to opportunities that interest you, even if you don’t think you’re qualified! Scientists collect a wide range of skills that they can apply to topics outside their immediate area of expertise.... The only guarantee that you won’t get a research opportunity or an award is not applying at all."

Andrew Feldman

Hydrologist/Biospheric Scientist

"With the increasing prevalence of extreme weather, there is no shortage of events that need to be evaluated with satellite observations to test whether our global models are adequately representing extreme biosphere responses."

Joshua Pettit

Atmospheric Scientist

"The human impact on the atmosphere is much larger than people believe it is. Because the atmosphere just seems so massive, I think some people are unable to see that they can impact the world around them."

Ryan Pfeifle

Astrophysicist

"I find it exhilarating to open a new set of data for the first time, knowing I have the privilege of being the first (or one of the first) human beings to ever see that data and then spotting something new that we didn’t know about before!"

Michael Thorpe

Sedimentary and Planetary Geologist

"On the MSL team, we have an incredible group of scientists but also remarkable engineers. Daily operations require input from both sides and it’s truly amazing to watch how cohesive and smooth the rover runs because of this teamwork attitude."

Atousa Saberi

Oceanographer

"Try to dig deep inside yourself and see what you like doing the most. It may not exist in the real-world, but you’re free to carve the path you’re interested in pursuing."

Gonzalo Augusto Cucho-Padin

Space Scientist

"My passion for space physics started during my Ph.D. years, but the technical background needed to conduct research studies on this topic was built up several years earlier when I was working on agricultural remote sensing techniques."

Stacey Huang

Radar Geodesist

"It’s a very intellectually stimulating job with a supportive community. I’ve tended to have problems with getting distracted easily, but having to wrangle with extremely difficult and open-ended problems every day is a great way to keep my mind fully engaged."

Corey Austin

Gravitational Astrophysicist

"My dad was an electrician and he was very systematic in troubleshooting electrical circuits, so I learned a lot from him and it turns out that many of the methods are transferable to other situations."

Katarina Yocum

Astrochemist

"Most people go to work to perform the same tasks each day, but as a research scientist I am always learning something new and figuring out how to answer questions that have never been answered before."

Andréa Hughes

Planetary Scientist

"If I could give advice to my younger self, I would tell her to be patient, stay curious, be open to new opportunities, and to follow your own path."

Thomas Fauchez

Planetary Scientist

"Finding a new exoplanet or assessing its potential habitability is fascinating, it is like a treasure hunt! Being a science-fiction fan is important for that as well as it helps to think outside of the box."

Laura Vega

Astrophysicist

"Our successes are never free of adversity; accept that setbacks will happen. A growth mentality is knowing that failures are temporary, it is also having the persistence to move on, to not give up, and to see opportunities in failures."

Chip Helms

Cloud Dynamicist/Instrument Scientist

"The question that intrigues me the most is how the interactions between clouds and their environments influence the evolution of tropical disturbances and, eventually, how they impact whether the disturbance falls apart or becomes a hurricane."

Sanchita Pal

Space Scientist

"Networking with the community, discussing with eminent scientists, young scientists, and even undergrads can help in getting new ideas and ways to solve challenging research problems."

Joel Dahlin

Solar Physicist

"I’m pretty excited when I get my hands on some new simulation data. I’m like a kid in a candy store trying out new and different ways to draw meaning from the data."

Sarah Valencia

Lunar Petrologist

"I love to take my understanding of the chemistry of lunar rocks to help plan the science goals for the next generation of instruments and missions to the Moon."

Zachary Nasipak

Gravitational Astrophysicist

"There are times where you or a colleague will be wrong or when none of your research seems to be working out. So be gracious to yourself and to others. Remember that being stuck or wrong does not mean you’re failing; you’re learning; you’re doing research!"

Lettie Roach

Polar Climate Scientist

"One of my favourite moments has to be walking back to the research ship over Antarctic sea ice during polar night, under the Aurora Australis, and seeing a whale surface in the pool behind the ship. That was an absolutely unforgettable moment."

Pukar Amatya

Remote Sensing Scientist

"A period of self-learning using a plethora of online resources and support from my colleagues was vital for me to be able to design a new landslide mapping system from scratch."

Priyarshini Ghosh

Nuclear Astrophysicist

"Whenever experimental and theoretical data don’t agree, even after checking every nook and cranny—this point in time feels like one is at the brink of discovery. It is like a fairytale ending, or rather, beginning."

Danielle Simkus

Astrobiologist

"I like taking complex science concepts, parsing them down, and trying to present them in a language and style of writing that is accessible to a broad audience."

Agnit Mukhopadhyay

Space Physicist

"I see myself transitioning to roles that would help design next-generation tools for mapping and geospatial visualization that would result in aiding the existing infrastructure used to study Earth."

Yasmina Martos

Earth and Planetary Scientist

"I was always very curious to know about where I live, our planet, the Solar System, and the Universe. My father fed this curiosity and at some point, I realized that I can study and learn about Earth and other planets every day if this is my job."

Chris Bard

Magnetosphere Scientist

"I majored in both physics/astronomy and economics, since both fields use numbers to study the real world. I settled on astronomy for a career because even though both people and nature are difficult to understand, at least nature doesn’t change its mind!"

Aaron Yung

Theoretical Astrophysicist

"When it comes to selecting a specific field to study, definitely pick something that you are truly passionate about and focus on the questions that really intrigue you."

Fadji Maina

Hydrologist

"Studying the complexities of the Earth’s natural systems is most exciting to me... It is fascinating to understand how a tiny piece of Mother Nature works and how human beings are altering the natural systems."

Amanda Steinhebel

High-energy Astrophysicist

"I cherished being a member of an international collaboration that gave me the opportunity to meet many experts in many different fields of study from many different places in the world and career stages."

Abdullah al Fahad

Climate Physicist

"During my research, I realized climate change is the biggest challenge our generation will face in the coming years, and we need more active research in this field."

Natasha Latouf

Exoplanet Scientist

"I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without my support system and friendships, and my only regret is not building them sooner!"

Tibebu Getachew Ayalew

Space Physicist

"My advice to my younger self would be dream big, work hard, and never give up; then you can be anything you want to be, irrespective of your race, gender, or age."

Liam Morrissey

Space Weathering Engineer

"While mainstream media is rightfully excited about visits to other planets, I believe we must first focus on having a sustained presence on a body in our own “backyard”, the Moon."

Lisa Milani

Atmospheric Scientist

"Scientists never stop learning and, for me, scientific conversations and brainstorming sessions are the most successful way to keep learning from scientists around me."

Milena Crnogorcevic

High-Energy Astrophysicist

"I love the process of resolving a problem and am absolutely overjoyed when I solve a puzzle, be it a code bug, scientific question, or a math problem. When I am stuck, I remind myself of how overpowering the joy of figuring things out is. That keeps me inspired."

Ryan McGranaghan

Principal Data Scientist

"I believe in being led around by your curiosity, being in a state of spaciousness, being teachable, and being a student."

Carina Alden

Space Weather Analyst

"Never. Ever. Give up. There will always be something that could stop you from trying, but if you want it bad enough, your passion will get you through the tough times."

Gang Kai Poh

Space Physicist

"I often find the process of going outside of my comfort zone to explore new knowledge very rewarding, especially at that “Eureka!” moment when I finally grasp a new concept or idea."

Akiko Elders

Atmospheric/Biospheric Scientist

"I have always been interested in Earth Science. I can remember as far back as elementary school modeling the impact of global warming using fish tanks, a bright lamp and ice cubes."

Michela Negro

High-Energy Astrophysicist

"It was only in the last year of high school that I learned about electromagnetism and special relativity, and discovered my deep curiosity about Physics. I needed to know more about it!"

Aleida Higginson

Heliophysicist

"I was a second year graduate student when I got invited to speak at a heliophysics workshop on my research project. That was incredibly intimidating but it was also so exciting that someone wanted to hear what I had to say!"

Naomi Rowe-Gurney

Planetary Scientist

"During University, I loved astronomy, but I also loved meteorology. I didn’t know until much later that planetary atmospheric physics existed and that it was a perfect way to study them both."

Mike Croteau

Satellite Geodesist

"While the idea of working on a mission to another planet or moon fascinated me, I realized that I was most interested in being part of Earth-focused satellite missions, helping to learn about our planet and solve problems here at home."

Anna Zajczyk

Instrumental Astrophysicist

"The inner workings of the cosmos were fascinating to me from an early age, and this is what ultimately pushed me towards research in astronomy (the dark and starry skies in the village where I grew up helped to light this spark, too)."

Nithin Sivadas

Space Physicist

"I am inspired by individuals who care about this world enough to seek what is true no matter how uncomfortable it may be, and motivated by those who care about society enough to seek what is just no matter how dangerous."

Yuni Lee

Planetary Scientist

"I like to be creative and effective in the visualization of science analysis. I think research is truly meaningful when the result is well-communicated to readers, so I like to put time and effort into improving my skills."

Nishan Kumar Biswas

Hydrologist

"While it is normal for the focus of our scientific careers to be on professional development, including publishing in high impact factor journals, never forget to do your best for humanity."

Sambid Wasti

High Energy Astrophysist

"When we look at the size and power of these objects in the vast universe, it is humbling to know how insignificant we are in comparison. It is equally motivating to know that, despite that apparent insignificance, we are in a quest to investigate and explore it."

Henrike Fleischhack

Gamma-ray Astronomer

"I am interested in studying gamma-ray sources such as supernova remnants and gamma-ray bursts, characterizing their energy spectra and light curves and comparing to theoretical models to figure out what makes them 'tick'."

Samantha Wallace

Solar Physicist

"I am passionate about supporting the next generation of early-career women in STEM and first-generation college grads, and inspiring them to persevere."

Joe Renaud

Planetary Scientist

"I find it amazing that the quantum mechanics and physics of microscopic grains in rocks and ice can ultimately govern the way an entire planet’s orbit changes over millions of years."

Reem Hannun

Atmospheric Chemist

"Fieldwork is a nice change of pace from daily life in the lab or office, and it’s really satisfying to see an instrument you’ve worked so hard on go out and collect real measurements."

Ronald Gamble

Theoretical Astrophysicist

"My mother recalls, vividly, that I first mentioned wanting to work for 'NASA' when I was four years old crunching on cereal in front of my solar system placemat."

Jessica Noviello

Planetary Geologist

"On Earth, there are 5 major mass extinctions that we know of, and dozens of low-level events. I often wonder, if we assume life existed on an ocean world like Europa or a former one like Mars, what could have happened to wipe that life out by the present?"

Graham Kerr

Solar Physicist

"The Scottish Space School and my visit to NASA JSC were eye-opening experiences. It became clear to me that studying physics at University would open up many varied opportunities and allow me to study something I was passionate about."

Niama Boukachaba

Atmospheric Scientist

"A big dream comes true by completing small objectives and learning from our mistakes. Each day is a new one, so enjoy what you are doing, and be happy and proud of your achievements."

Kyle Helson

Observational Cosmologist

"I really like solving interesting problems and answering big questions about physics and the Universe. I also like that my work involves a lot of different skills and not just one fixed method all of the time."

Shahryar Khalique Ahmad

Hydrologist

"I am enamored by the notion of user-ready research – one that not only lives inside publications but also reaches the masses who are in need of the science and its applications… and that’s worth putting in all the effort!"

Yukiko Yarnall

Laboratory Astrochemist

"After my research career, if I were a teacher, I would pass the splendor of science to young people who might want to become scientists and to the elder generation to stimulate their minds."

Mike Shumko

Magnetospheric Physicist

"As a postdoc, I enjoy the independence to pursue my research ideas and the feeling I get when I discover something interesting."

Jenna Cann

Astrophysicist

"Thinking about how far light has to travel in order to get to the telescopes I use for observing never fails to motivate me to keep trying to learn everything I can from the data I collect."

Giuliano Liuzzi

Atmospheric Spectroscopist

"I would like to learn even more about how the instruments that observe planets and atmospheres are built and optimized, as I think it is important to have a critical perspective in how data are collected and analyzed."

Emily Mason

Solar Physicist

"My favorite days are the ones when I sit down with a new science question and pore over hundreds of EUV observations to unlock the mystery."

Drew Badger

Hydrometeorologist

"I think one of the coolest aspects of being in a research driven position is that there is always the potential that we will be the first person in the world to know something new, and then we get to tell everybody."

John Ahlers

Astrophysicist

"We can look at an enormous object an absurdly far distance away and tell whether it is moving toward or away from us (within its system’s frame of reference) to a precision that is slower than the average person’s walking speed. I find that mind-blowing."

Kira Olsen

Seismologist

"I am always learning new things about planetary science, which in turn gives me new ideas for how to use Earth science data to study icy worlds."

Ashley Greeley

Magnetospheric Physicist

"I love that part of our goal as research scientists is to discover new things. Some people like to explore the physical unknown in distant continents, but I love the feeling of exploring the universe from my computer."

Mariel Friberg

Atmospheric Scientist

"I realize the most enjoyable part of my career is a daily occurrence. I get to work on being in a state of inspirational flow that simultaneously develops me personally and professionally."

Meriem Alaoui Abdallaoui

Solar Physicist

"I love the fact that I get to work on both theory and observations. I also love the fact that I have to adopt ideas from different disciplines and bring them into solar physics."

Ryan Kramer

Atmospheric Scientist

"I spent an eye-opening summer interning at Goddard during my Sophomore year of college. That summer jumpstarted my passion for research, made me a more critical thinker, and helped me build a lot of confidence."

Iban Ibañez Domenech

Systems Engineer

"I have enjoyed every second of this challenging journey being part of the most meaningful scientific missions I could have ever imagined."

Svetlana Shkolyar

Astrobiologist

"Once you achieve a small victory, take the time to celebrate it. There will always be more goals to achieve and more work to be done. Celebrating your small successes is as important as achieving them and a key to feeling fulfilled."

Tiffany Lewis

Theoretical Astrophysicist

"As a theorist, a large part of what can make a new project interesting is whether it both advances the technical execution of the modeling and our ability to interpret the physical world through a comparison with observed data."

Cristian Ferradas

Space Physicist

"The aspect of my work I am most passionate about is sharing what I do with other people, whether it be at outreach events or just by explaining science and the excitement of space exploration to my family, friends, or even strangers."

Adam Erickson

Computational Biosphericist

"Intuition is a powerful tool not only in math but in science, guiding practical and theoretical advances based on a growing foundation of knowledge."

Erika Kohler

Planetary Scientist

"I thought it was fascinating that other planets could have storms too, and even crazier ones than Earth has. Since then, I was hooked!"

Mijin Kim

Atmospheric Scientist

"I thought NASA was like an unrealistic place that can only be seen in movies or papers. It became realistic through visiting and collaboration during my Ph.D."

Nazma Islam

High Energy Astrophysicist

"As a researcher, we need to constantly learn new skills and expand our knowledge in areas which are not exactly related to our field of expertise."

Iker Liceaga Indart

Mechanical Engineer

"I would encourage all young students to try to find their true passion. It really pays off, as you will find yourself investing most of your time in something that has true meaning for you."

Shiblee Barua

Computational Astrochemist

"I basically taught myself chemistry while working as a graduate teaching assistant in chemistry labs. My diverse academic background in physics, math and chemistry has helped me immensely in pursuing my career as a Computational Astrochemist."

Remya Bhanu

Space Physicist

"It took me until the end of high school to realize that I did not have the vocation to be a doctor and that physics and chemistry were the subjects that captivated me most."

Ethan Kruse

Exoplanet Astronomer

"I hope that by the end of my career we have detailed studies of the atmospheres of hundreds of Earth-like planets and maybe even signs of life elsewhere in the galaxy."

Luoth Chou

Astrobiologist

"This curiosity drove me to wonder where life came from, and eventually made me question how life started and whether life can be 'out there'."

Elijah Orland

Geomorphologist

"I eventually realized later in my studies that my interest in being outside wasn’t purely recreational—I wanted to learn more about what made my favorite places tick."

Bea Gallardo-Lacourt

Space Physicist

"I was told by many people that I was wasting my time pursuing a scientific career and, although this was discouraging, I decided to take it as a challenge and prove them wrong."

Beck Strauss

Planetary Geophysicist

"Geology is the science of understanding why the natural world is the way it is – why that mountain is over there, how this river got here, what that moon's magnetic field was doing a few billion years ago."

Armaghan Abed-Elmdoust

Hydroscientist

"My long-term future research activities will be centered on sustainable water resources management and improving hydrological modeling. These are critical subjects to human societies."

Benson Guest

X-ray Astrophysicist

"Volunteering at outreach events or teaching first year astronomy labs helped me take a step back so that the numbers and pixels on the screen once again became the giant spinning magnets at the centre of explosions in space."

Yingxi Rona Shi

Atmospheric Scientist

"There is a sense of fulfillment the moment you discover a solution that solves a mystery."

Danna Qasim

Experimental Astrochemist

"The research accomplishment that I am most proud of is my first first-author paper from my master's, because it was THE underdog paper."

Danielle Gurgew

X-ray Astrophysicist

"I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of building and creating hardware that ultimately will be flown on earth-orbiting X-ray telescopes."

Raphael Attié

Solar Astronomer

"Understanding how the Sun and other Sun-like stars power themselves and what makes them erupt has become not just a fundamental astrophysical question, but also a societal necessity."

Denis Felikson

Cryospheric Scientist

"Writing a science research proposal is like putting together a puzzle: you choose what science questions you want to answer, what tools you will use, and who will be on your team."

Casey Honniball

Lunar Scientist

"Right now, I focus on lunar water, but I am working to expand to other volatiles to make a comprehensive understanding of volatiles on the lunar surface."

Michael Kirk

Solar Physicist

"Taking incredibly complex questions or ideas and breaking them down into bite-sized pieces that anyone can understand is my favorite part about being a professional scientist."

Teresa Monsue

Astro/Helio Physicist

"I remember trying to count [the stars] at a young age, but giving up on it quickly. I felt that there was something bigger out there to understand."

Burcu Kosar

Atmospheric Physicist

"Don't be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone, that's where the greatest things happen!"

Carl Malings

Air Quality Researcher

"I'm really looking forward to exploring the campus and getting to meet in person everyone who I've only met virtually so far."

Alain Khayat

Planetary Scientist

"I am so amazed by how much one could learn about remote objects in the universe when analyzing the light that is received from them."

Gioia Rau

Astrophysicist

"Resilience, perseverance, grit, and hard work are some of the magic ingredients behind every successful scientist."

Melissa Ugelow

Atmospheric Chemist

"Something that amazes me is the diversity in the outer solar system moons."

Odutayo Raji Rufai

Space Physicist

"The first inspiration was, of course, my older brother.... He informed me that I can veer into any profession with a degree in Mathematics."

Zachary Erickson

Oceanographer

"I would like to help understand the potential benefits and risks associated with ocean-centric climate change mitigation."

Carolyn Kierans

High-Energy Astrophysicist

"I really enjoy working on new mission concepts. You get to ask yourself: What type of measurements would I like to make to further understand our Universe?"