Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
Meet Sujen, a Data Scientist at JPL. As a child, he had an early interest in computer science, which his father, a software engineer, encouraged. In India, he worked on projects and hackathons that helped connect teachers across schools and bring cloud telephony technology to farmers in rural areas. Sujen found the work rewarding, which led him to continue his education, attending graduate school in the U.S. He started at JPL as an intern during the summer of 2015, while a student at USC. Over his past few years on the Lab, Sujen has met people from a wide array of educational and personal backgrounds, which is one of his favorite aspects of working at JPL. He has observed that the one thing common amongst all JPLers is humility. He says: “From landing a robot on Mars to helping first responders on Earth, the people I have met have been very humble and satisfied with their work. I can see how scientists are using our platforms to create better climate models, to predict floods, droughts, sea-level rise, etc. For me, this is my biggest motivation to get up and get to work.” #APAHM
Meet Shawn, Mission Assurance Manager for Sentinel-6 and SPHEREx. He began his career at Boeing, then joined JPL in 2004. After working at the Lab for 16 years, Shawn says he enjoys working in an environment where intelligent people from a variety of engineering and science backgrounds work together to accomplish feats they cannot do alone. "Whenever I see school children come to see what we are doing, I feel a sense of responsibility to do my best to set a good example for future engineers and scientists," he shares. Explaining, he says, "A few years ago, JPL gave us a holiday ornament that said ‘The stars are calling and we must go.’ It was a reminder that what I am doing here is very special.” Currently, Shawn is most inspired by the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans working on the frontlines in the healthcare field during the pandemic. He believes employee resource groups like the Asian American Council are valuable because, "...We could shed some light on important career paths to younger generations who may not have access to those visions." #APAHM #LifeatJPL
Meet Nerissa, Business Administration Manager at JPL. In her role, she manages a team that provides business operations support to focus on cost-effective space-borne communications systems. After emigrating from the Philippines, she joined JPL in 1990 and is celebrating 30-years at the Lab this year. Nerissa shares, “JPL is and will always be my second home. My favorite things about JPL are its missions, people, and types of work. If you will it, opportunities at JPL are infinite!” Nerissa enjoys building and being part of a team, “I realized the true value of cross-pollination as a means to reach innovative solutions.”
It's a moral imperative we give a shoutout to Caltech alum and NASA astronaut Bob Behnken! Caltech manages JPL on behalf of NASA. Together with Doug Hurley, he's set to crew #LaunchAmerica—the first launch of US astronauts from American soil since 2011. Bob's bio 👩🚀 http://go.nasa.gov/2XD7LQu
Meet Cami, Section Manager for System Safety at JPL. She manages three programs: System Safety, Lifting Devices, and Equipment, and Ground-Based Pressure Vessels and Systems. Cami started her engineering career at Rockwell, where she worked on the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Shuttle/MIR Space Station Integration programs. In 2001, she joined JPL to continue her career as a System Safety Engineer, which involves working with various disciplines in the engineering field, as well as collaborating with organizations outside of JPL, such as other NASA centers. She likes the unique, campus-like working environment at JPL and the people she works with. Inspired by journalist, Lisa Ling, Cami says, “Lisa Ling always reports with honesty and compassion. She tries to understand her subjects with compassion and never to humiliate or condemn them.”
While NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover endures thousands of tests to prepare for the Red Planet, some stand out. It's put through trials of fire, ice, light and sound. It must withstand freezing temperatures, constant radiation, dust and tough terrain, not to mention the trip there.
Meet Nicholas, a Systems Engineer at JPL. Inspired by his uncle, an electrical engineer, Nicholas’ early interests focused on electronics and technology. He started at JPL as an intern while pursuing his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at USC. After graduating, he joined JPL full-time. Nicholas is currently the Lead Systems Engineer of POINTER, a project that researches and develops indoor tracking technologies for emergency first responders. He is grateful for the opportunity to work on a project that has the potential to save first responder lives and make a huge impact on society. His favorite thing about JPL? The diverse and accepting workplace culture, where everyone shares a common goal of pushing the limits of technology. A member of JPL’s Asian American council, he is inspired by Yao Ming who “left a huge global impact and legacy both on and off the court, despite all the skepticism and racism he initially received.” Nicholas’ advice for students in STEM: “Keep pursuing what you’re passionate about and people will recognize your passion and work ethic.” #APAHM
When the NASA Perseverance Mars rover lands on the Red Planet, it will be caching rock samples for a future mission to collect and return to Earth. For Mars 2020 Deputy Project Scientist at NASA-JPL Katie Stack Morgan, studying rocks is not only important in the search for ancient life, but it’s also a hobby. Follow Perseverance’s journey to Mars: mars.nasa.gov/mars2020
We created and tested 3D printable respirators to help against COVID-19. Check out these Open Source designs and help us evolve them. More info: https://medeng.jpl.nasa.gov/covid-19/respirators Repository: https://github.com/nasa-jpl/COVID-19-respirators #InThisTogether
Meet Shirley, an Environmental Requirements Engineer. Her work helps to ensure mission success. Shirley officially joined JPL in May 2019, after two years as a contractor, bringing with her a background in electrical engineering and research experience in particle physics. Shirley’s favorite aspect of her job is how she gets to see a mission through from Phase A all the way to launch. She says, “JPL missions are unique and interesting. There are always new challenges and new problems to solve.” On Lab, she is part of the Asian American Council (AAC). She enjoys attending AAC social events to share her heritage and build new friendships. Shirley is inspired by the character of Mulan, who is brave and honorable. Her advice for others pursuing careers in STEM is, “Don’t worry about what others think. Focus on what interests you and what drives you.” When not on Lab she may be found camping and hiking with her husband, their two sons, and their dog Bailey. #APAHM #LifeatJPL
