NASA Engineers Graduate from Leadership Program

by Rebecca Wickes | 2023-04-07

ALP group photo

Participants of the Engineering Directorate's Asian and Pacific Islander Leadership Program (ALP) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center took center stage to honor their graduation and completion of the program. ALP is the third program undertaken by the directorate to empower underrepresented groups to pursue and excel in institutional leadership and management positions at NASA.

Over the course of twelve months, twelve ALP graduates participated in mentoring sessions, on-site training, and stretch assignments to other divisions. These stretch assignments enabled participants to expand their skillset and apply their expertise to new areas within the directorate.

“This program is a grassroots effort to offer our workforce ways to develop skills for career success that I believe will serve the cohorts well on their professional journey,” says Julie Kramer White, director of engineering at Johnson. “We are constantly looking at our data and finding ways to evolve and create a path forward where every employee within the Directorate feels represented, valued, and empowered to succeed.”

The graduation ceremony was held in the Gilruth ballroom followed by a lively mixer and special desserts, many of which were brought by cohorts to represent their culture.

The previous two leadership programs offered by the Engineering Directorate centered around women in leadership and women of color in leadership. At the ALP graduation, deputy director Gerald “Jay” LeBeau announced that the next program will be focused on men of color in leadership.

The 2023 ALP Graduates

Pooja Desai

EP – Propulsion and Power Division

Test Director and Program Manager, Energy Systems Test Area

Stretch Assignment: EC – Crew and Thermal Systems Division

Served as a technical assistant for the EC test branch. Supported management with a variety of tasks including customer interaction to bring in new test work, branch actions and division statuses, and development of high-level schedules.

“This program has exposed me to many inspirational stories of different Asian leaders across JSC and NASA. They have inspired me to grow into leadership roles and create great life opportunities for others.”

Jerry John

EP – Propulsion and Power Division

Aerospace Flight Systems Engineer, Systems Analysis Lead, Orion and Gateway Programs

Stretch Assignment: ES – Structural Engineering Division

Served as the Deputy System Manager for the ISS Space Environments. Covered environment effects on spacecraft (ISS) and its effect on spacecraft materials, system, and performances. Additionally, interfaced with Program Management (OM Vehicle Integration office), international partners, payload developers, integrators, and other NASA Environment communities.

“ALP was able to help me connect with leaders of similar beginnings, created community for me in a different way than ever before and helped me to grow through their life experiences. ALP helped me navigate through my cultural identity as a professional and helped me become a more effective leader within the community.”

Daniel Kim

ES – Structural Engineering Division

EVA and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) Materials & Processes (M&P) Systems Lead

Stretch Assignment: EX – Project Management and Systems Engineering Division

Provided assisstance to the office of the EVA Development Chief Engineer in support of EVA Development within the EHP Chief Engineer’s Office. Nominal duties included meeting support, assisting in tracking and completing document reviews, risk management, and helping to provide integration support of EVA Development projects across the Engineering Directorate (EA) and the Exploration EVA Services (xEVAS) Contract.

“ALP cohorts consist of a diverse group of engineers with different backgrounds, but I realized that a lot of us went through similar biases and were boxed in our own world not fully realizing all the opportunities and resources that are available around us.

ALP helped me see all the opportunities and resources that are available around us, how our esteemed leaders have navigated their paths to where they are now, and the importance of effective leadership in project/program success.”

Ajay Koshti

ES – Structural Engineering Division

Nondestructive Evaluation SME, NDE Lead Engineer

Stretch Assignment: ER – Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division

Provided tools and analysis for calculating loads at interface between eDMT robot (ER5) and effector with spacesuit interface plate and suitport during docking. Additionally, provided several Matlab programs and Matlab Simulink models and analysis.

“It was an enlightening learning experience that imparted correct perspective and experience for leadership in work and life.”

Naina Noorani

EP – Propulsion and Power Division

Energy Systems Engineer, In Situ Resource Utilization

Ali Omidi

ES – Structural Engineering Division

Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) Deputy System Manager, Commercial Crew Program; on detail as the Technical Assistant, Thermal Systems Branch

Stretch Assignment: EX – Project Management and Systems Engineering Division

Developed a conceptual design for an Advanced Concept Engineering Strategy (ACES) Sharepoint site to gain insight into EA focus areas project portfolio.

“What stuck out to me about the AAPI Leadership Program was the people. I was able to learn so much from the experiences of the leaders, mentors, and speakers; but above all else, I was able to make lasting relationships with my cohort which will last throughout my career here at NASA.”

Chetan Patel

ER – Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division

Engineering Project Manager and Modeling & Simulation System Manager, Gateway Program

Stretch Assignment: ES – Structural Engineering Division

Used Power BI to develop a dashboard to gain insight for a project manager to know how their projects are moving along related to funding.

“The program gave me the opportunity to speak with very influential AAPI Leaders from JSC and other centers and learn about their upbringing and challenges.”

Mrugen Patel

ES – Structural Engineering Division

Passive Thermal Control Systems Design and Analysis Engineer

Stretch Assignment: EG – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division

Supported EG Associate Division Chief in identifying technologies related to Machine Learning for GN&C, Flight Mechanics and Aeroscience applications with the goal of creating relationships with Universities and Industry. Tasks involved working with SMEs across EG to identify ideas for development as well as meeting with university professors and researchers to establish partnerships for technology development. This effort led to a creation of Space Act Agreement with Prairie View A&M machine learning researchers who will assist JSC/EG with development of one of the ideas formulated during the stretch assignment.

“The various interactions with EA leadership and mentors across EA divisions over the course of this program provided me with invaluable insight into the various leadership paths available within EA, helped grow my network and view myself as a valued member of the EA workforce.”

Eric Sim

EG – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division

Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer, Orion Program

Stretch Assignment: EG – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division

Project management rotation for the Multi-layer Acoustic Conductive-Grid Sensor (MACS) team. MACS is an instrument designed to collect in-situ data (size, velocity, angle) of small orbital debris, which poses a great threat to all activity in space. Led in writing a report to the Science Mission Directorate that detailed a series of environmental tests ran on MACS in an effort to advance its technology readiness level.

“Since I primarily work with software, the ALP was my door to project management and having the opportunity to have hands-on experience with hardware testing. Being a part of the MACS team also allowed me to work with the ARES (Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science) division and JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency).

I consider myself fortunate that JSC and EA allows their employees to pursue diverse interests that will benefit not only us, but the agency as well. NASA is a place where our cultural backgrounds are celebrated, and programs like ALP help to drive innovation through inclusion.”

Vi Truong

ER – Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division

Deputy Branch Chief, Thermal Systems Branch

Anthony Wong

EV – Avionic Systems Division

Sustaining Engineering Project Manager, International Space Station (ISS) and Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP)

Stretch Assignment: EX – Project Management and Systems Engineering Division

Acted as the technical lead for the Rover and Drone Operations and Maintenance for the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) project. Responsible for developing the proper operating and maintenance procedures for the Skyrover, integrated the training and mission operation into the CHAPEA Master Schedule, provided estimated schedule and cost for the mock crew missions to the CHAPEA project manager and created mock crew missions using the drone for environmental surveying and using the Skyrover to conduct geological sample collection.

“My participation with the ALP has enabled me to gain a lot of insights into my own personal characteristics, what motivates me to work the hardest, and which areas I need to strive to grow further as to overcome my weaknesses. The ALP has also provided me a great opportunity to get to know and work with a group of peers from similar cultural background, allowing me to learn from them and grow with them while recognizing our similarities and traits that may have been holding us back in our careers.

The stretch assignment has helped me learn about a different Engineering Division, how it’s operated, and how things may be accomplished differently. My career mentor has provided me with so much guidance applicable to both my career and my daily life. I am forever grateful to have been provided the opportunity to participate in the ALP.”

Mohammad Zanganehgheshlaghi

ES – Structural Engineering Division

Structural Materials Engineer

Stretch Assignment: EX – Project Management and Systems Engineering Division

Led the effort to investigate potential solutions, and developing a plan for migration of NASA-created Standards from document centric to a data-centric structured format

“Participation in ALP was an eye-opening experience with excellent opportunities for networking, developing and enhancing leadership skills through direct involvement in leadership roles as well as learning sessions and mentorship”

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