Careers in Aerospace Research
Monday, January 15th, 2024, 5:30 – 6:30 PM CST
Are you interested in pursuing a career in aerospace research? Attend our “What Can I Do With My PhD?” seminar to learn more about this career path & advice from current aerospace research professionals with backgrounds in biological and physical sciences on how to break into the field. Join our panelists as they discuss what drew them to the field, the competencies that are required to be successful in these types of careers, and ways to use your scientific training to support your entry into this career path.
Walter Alvarado, PhD
Research Scientist, NASA Ames
Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California, Dr. Alvarado started his academic journey at Cal State University, Long Beach, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics. Dr. Alvarado pursued a Biophysics Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, working under the guidance of Professors Juan de Pablo and Andrew Ferguson. His doctoral research focused on understanding the dynamics and assembly of the chromatin fiber through physics and machine learning approaches. Dr. Alvarado currently serves as a Research Scientist at the Bioscience Research Branch of NASA Ames Research Center, where he helps develop AI/ML models to analyze NASA’s extensive space biology experiments. These models are crucial in understanding radiation risks and ensuring the safety and success of long-duration spaceflights, contributing significantly to the advancement of space exploration. Outside the lab, he is an avid runner and DIYer.
Jessica Weber, PhD
Research Scientist, NASA JPL
Dr. Jessica Weber is a Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) research scientist in the Origins and Habitability Lab (OHL). She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from MIT in 2019 with Dr. Tim Jamison and a B.S. in Chemistry from University of Chicago in 2014. Her graduate school research focused on organometallic catalysis and pharmaceutical synthesis. At JPL, Jessica focuses on applying synthetic chemistry techniques to address questions about the origins of life and habitability of the early Earth and other worlds. She experimentally explores mineral-organic interactions and reactivity related to prebiotic chemistry on ocean and terrestrial worlds. Jessica is a founding member of both the Network for Ocean Worlds early career group, Future Leaders of Ocean Worlds (FLOW), and the VEXAG affiliated Venus Early Career group.
Olivia Niitsoo, PhD
Aerospace Materials Researcher, Hexcel
Dr. Olivia Niitsoo is the Formulations Group Leader of the US Aeromatrix business for Hexcel Corporation. In this role, she is responsible for leading new prepreg- and related aerospace product development, analytical testing, and research projects on fundamental material properties and new test method development. Olivia has been with Hexcel for 8 years.
Olivia has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia and a master’s degree in Chemistry and Materials Science from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel and a doctorate degree in Chemistry and Materials Science also from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Olivia performed postdoctoral research in Chemical Engineering at City College of New York, and worked in a coatings industry start-up company prior to joining Hexcel as a Research Chemist in 2016.